Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-15
CHAPTER XIV-Continued.
A netective'c Work

CHAPTER XIV-Continued
A Detectives Work.
"Ravings?" questioned Ransom hoarsely,
as Mr.. Harper's eyes rose again to his
face.
1T would seem So" assented the law
yer. Yet there is intelligence In all the
lines. And the will-read the will. There
Is no lack of intelligent purpose there; lit
tie as it accords with the feeling she ex-
hibits here for her sister. She leaves her
nothing; and does not even mention her
name. Her personal belongings she be-
queaths to you; but her realty, which COM
prises the bulk of her property l believe,
she divides, somewhat unequally own, be-
tween you and a man named Auchincloss.
1t Is he l want to ask you about. Have
you ever heard her speak of him?"
Josiah Auchincloss of st: Louis, Mis-
souri," read Mr. Ransom. mo, the name
Is new to me. Didn't she tell you anything
tions?''
from him II ever this will is published. He
has right to the money and l entreat
you to show your respect for me by seeing
that he gets it without any unnecessary
trouble That was all she said or would
say. Your wife was woman Of powerful
character. Mr.. Ransom. My little arts
counted for nothing in any difference Of
opinion between U.S."
AuCHlHClOSS! repeated RANSOM. An
other unknown quantity in the problem of
my poor girls life. What tangle! Do
you wonder that l am overcome by it?
Anitra-the so-called brother-and now this
Auchinclcss!" -r~sf
Right, Ransom. share your confusion &"
DO you?" The words came very slowly
penetratngly. Haven't you some idea
some strange, possibly half-formed notion
or secret Intuition which might afford some
clue to this labyrinth? l have been tod
that lawyers have a knack of getting at
the bottom of human conduct and affairs
You have had wide experience; does 1t
not suggest some answer to this problem
which will harmonize all Its discordant ele-
ments and make clear its various compli-
cations?"
Mr.. Harper shook his head, but there was
restrained excitement in his manner
which was not altogether the reflection of
that which dominated Ransom. and the lat
ter. observing it, leaned across the table
till their faces almost touched.
DO You guess my thought" he whis-
pered. Look at me and tell me if you
guess my thought"
The lawyer hesitated. cycling we'll the
trembling lip, the changing color, the wide
open. deeply flushed eyes or near his own;
then with slow smile of extraordinary
suotlety, II not of comprehension, answered
in a barely audible murmur:
II think DO. 1 may be mad, but 1
think l do" =
The other sank back with a sigh charged
with what the lawyer interpreted as relief.
VT harper resedted nimSelf, and for mo-
ment neither looked al the other, and
neither spoke; it would almost seem as If
neither breathed. Then as a bird de-
ceived by the silence, hoped to the win
9oW siIl and began its cheep, "cheep," Mr..
Ransom broke the spell by saying in low
but studiously business-like tones:
have you thought 1t worth while to
study the ground under her window or any,
be amiss; what do you think about it?''
Let us CO." readily acquiesced the law
yer, rising to his feet with an honest show
OF alacrity; after which l must telegraph
TO New York. L was expected back to-
day"
Il know it; but your duties there will
Keep; these here cannot Your hand on
the promise that you will respect my Sc
cret lil-Wel till | can assure you that
my intuitions are devoid of any real bass -
The lawyers palm met his; then they
started TO go out; but before they had
passed the door. Mr. Ransom came back,
ana llftlng the comb from the table he put
II in his pocket. AS he did this his eve
flashed sidewise on the other There were
strange hints and presentiments in it, which
brought the color to the usually imnertur-
bable lawyers cheek.
In going out they passed the office door.
dozen men We're hanging about smoking
and talking. Among them was a country
man who had just swallowed open-
mouthed, the story of the past nights trag-
edy. He was now speaking out his own
mind concerning 1t, and this is what these
two heard him say as they went by:
DO you know what strike; me as mighty
strange? That they should clear that stone
of the name of Anitra just in time to put
Georgians In its place. l call that pecu-
liar. l do.
The lawyer and the husband exchanged
glance.
Mrs Ransom had a deep mind" the
lawyer remarked the door slammed be-
hind them; She apparently thought of
everything"
Ransom, directing look down the street
toward the factories and the roaring mill
stream. uttered shudderng sigh.
They are still searching" said he But
they will never find her. They will never
find her.
The lawyer pulled him away
That's because they search the water.
We will search the land"
That's half water, too; but it cannot
hide every clue You have eyes for the
imperceptible; use them, Mr.. Harper, use
them"
II will, but this is detectives work
DO not expect too much from me-"
Il expect nothing. l do not dare to. lie,
us tread very softly, that is ALL and bt
careful to talk low, il we have anything
10 say"
BY this time they had rounded the cor
ner of the house and entered a narrow
walk tagged with brick. which connected
the space in front with the rear offices and
garden. This walk ran close to the walls
which were broken on this side by an ell
projecting in the direction of the mil
stream. 1t was from the roof of this ell
that Antra declared Georgian to have
slipped and fallen.
Their first care was to glance up at the
roof. 1t was a sloping one. and Anitra's
noted how much easier il would be to droE
nDon IN from the little balcony overhead