Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-02
CHAPTER III.
Tricks Of the Trade,

Godfrey turned aside to hide the smile Oh
satisfaction he could not wholly suppress;
he had been adroitly driving Smmonds to-
ward that suggestion.
For Godfrey wanted to be alone a few
minutes with Miss Croydon. He was acute
| ly conscious that here was mystery much
more puzzling than appeared on the sur
face; much more picturesque than the ordi-
na1y run Of mysteries. Miss Croydon had
| said that her errand to suite IA had been
| OH private matter which did not concern
| the police. but Godfrey was not 80 sure OF
| that. OF course he could not compel her
to explain 1t, and yet he felt that two or
| three weli-directed questions might give
| him che ciew which he was seeking now in
vain.
| VERY WELL" he agreed: I'll see her down
| to Ter cab What are you going to do?"
I'm going to quiz the Janitor and then
search the house. Maybe the other fellow
| hasn't had chance to get away yet. L
wonder what's going on out there" he
! added, as they returned together to the
other room.
They could hear a commotion of some
| sort IN the hall, the hum of many voices,
| the shutting OF many feet
F.! The comn.o;ton swel,ed to an uproar as
| Simmonds opened TIE door and closed 1T
| voice raised in angry expostu.ation, and he
chuckled grim,y to himself as he turned to
Miss Croydon
He gazed at her with interest, searching
| ly, ponderfng how best to surprise her Sc
| cret-at the bent head, with it's crown or
| dark hair. Swallowed by a little velvet hat;
at the rounded arms, the graceful figure
| The remarkable resolution and self-control
with which she had answered the detec-
| tive's inquiries seemed to have deserted
her. She was sitting huddled up In the
chair. with her head in her hands, in an
attitude almost OF collapse. A convulsive
81 hor
| ment. They had been thoughtiess. God
| frey told himself. to leave her alone with
| the dead man--that was enough to unnerve
any woman.
He paused yet moment, looking at her
at the slender hands. the little ear-and he
pictured to himself what her training had
been. how she had been fenced away from
the rough places of the world, the unpleas-
ant things of life. Certainly, she could
never have committed such crime as this,
or even conniyed at it.
Yet she had lied-deliberately and dis
tinctly she had lied She had told him that
she had never before sen the dead man; she
had told Simmonds just the opposite. Which
was the truth? Doubtless the first; her
| first impulse would be to speak the truth;
afterward. at leisure for moment. she had
mastered her agitation, had Thought out
| the lie. and had uttered 1t with surprising
| ca1mnesS.
| Godfrey felt that he was cropping toward
| the light. But there was another mystery
nerved her to brave the tittle-tattle of the
! world to endanger her good name to run
| she knew not what risk of indignity and in
| suit? A love affair? Bah! To suppose her
| capable CT such ass!gnation was pre-
posterous. One had only to look at her TO
| see that. And yet. what other reason
| could have brought her to this place. alone,
| Oil such a night?
Suddenly She felt the scrutiny he bent
| upon her, and raised her eyes to his. Then
! she Strengthened UP. quickly. still looking
! at him, and he saw fash OF defiance N
| her eyes. Plainly she did not fear him:
| he fancied there were few things in the
| world she did fear.
| May I see you to your cab, Miss Croy-
| don?" he asked.
ITO my cab?" she repeated half rising.
Il may go. then? l am free? You have
not"
Betrayed your" he finished. as she
| stopped suddenly. mo; l don't intend to-
| Whether you know the man yonder not
| don't for an instant believe you killed
| him"
"Oh, I didn't, she cried. IT did my best
| to save him. But 1t was done so quickly
| didn't understand until too late"
Nevertheless" continued Godfrey evenly.
| 81 think you're wrong in trying to protect
| the scoundrel who did,
| The color faded suddenly from her face.
ITO protect him?' she faltered.
I'm sure you know him. You could place
| him in the hands of the police If you
| wished"
| She stared without answering into his
| steady eyes. There was something COM
| polling in their glance, a power there was
| no resisting urging her to speak. She had
| been deeply shaken by the evenings trag-
| edy; her strength was almost gone. Cod
| frey saw her yielding, yielding-a moment
| more and he would have the story. With
| q last sigh of resistance she opened her
| lips. closed them, opened them again.
The door opened and man came ina
| keen-faced man of middle age. who nodded
tO (r0dfrpv and threw quick. penetrating
| glance at his companion. Behind him The
! clamor burst out anew; various heads ap-
| peared in the doorway, various eager faces
| sought to peer into the room, but the new
| conner calmly closed the door and assured
| himself that 1t was locked. He looked at
Godfrey again. then expectantly at the girl.
Miss Croydon" said Godfrey. this Is
| Coroner Goldberg, whose duty 1t Is to In
| vestigate this affair. and who may wish to
| ask you some questions"
Goldberg removed his hat and bowed.
+, Miss Croydon met his gaze with an ad-
| mirable composure. Godfrey sighed-that
| moment of weakness was past-if Gold
berg had only been moment later!
"Only few at present" began the coro-
ner, in voice soft and deferential, as only
he knew how to make it. How often, with
that voice. had he led witness on and on
to his own ruin! you were the only wit
ness of this tragedy. 1 believe. Miss Croy-
don?'
Are you acquainted with the murderer"
mo. SIR
you never saw him before?"
mo, SIR
But you could identify him, If the po-
lice succeed in capturing him."
"Oh, yes, SIR
you have already given Mr. Simmonds
a description of him?'
Eyes, sir; as well as l could"
And told him the whole story?"
Eyes, sir--the whole story"
Except one detail, believe-you did not
explain how you came to be In this room.
mo, sir; did not tell him that" she
answered. in low tone.
Twill you tell me?''
II do not think it concerns the police,
SIR
You would better let me Judge of that:
IF it does not concern the police, 1 promise
you 1t shall go no further
She was looking at him anxiously; she
moistened her lips and glanced uncertainty
at Godfrey.
'Do you object to Mr.. Godfrey's pres
ence@' asked the coroner.
"oh. not at all" she said quickly. I'm
very glad that Mr.. Godfrey Is here"
II persist" continued Goldberg. because
I think that perhaps the story may help US
to identify this man..
cit won't" said Miss Croydon; but 1