Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-12-29

Anita opened IT, Anita. tall.
straight and fearless.
Have you found herr" she asked
instantly; then she saw from vance's
face that he had not.
mo; the police sss here; they want
to see you aud Miss Ashton"
Alice sprang up from the bed and
ran to the door. What is it? What
is it?"
The police" Anita answered
( quietly.
oh" Alice covered her face; the
police made the situation so real. so
very terrible. She sat down help
lessiy.
Come" Anita took the girls hand
and led her into the hall
Here is Capt Fitzgerald" said
Chaudron: "he wants to ask you a few
questions"
Fitzgerald was very courteous and
very dol,cate for so rough a man
He asked a number Of questions. and
learned nothing more than Chaudron
had already told him. Mrs Ashton
went to sleep last night in a big bed
with green silk curtains hung all
around f. This morning she could
not be found; that was all the two
girls knew.
Which room was that In. miss7"
Again Anita pointed to the door
with the broken knob; again Alice
shook her head. Fitzgerald looked
from one TO the other. puzzled and
tolerant He had the door opened.
From the outside Anita always felt
certain that this was the room. But
every time the door was opened and
she looked in. she felt that she might
Be mistaken. Alice was very positive
that she had not left her mother in
this room
why. there was a big green bed
over here IN this corner" Alice in
sisted. "and a piece Of tapestry hung
right here. with a Crusader on it
right where this door is" She point
ed 20 a pair OF white sliding doors
striped with gold The room that
mother was in didn't have a door like
this at all And there was an old
cabinet; Anita, YOU remember that
cabinet7"
Anita nodded. Yes. she remem-
bcred ali those things. but-she
down the hall again.
1T was the first door TO the right
as we came into the hall" she asserted
positively
IT'S very queer" Fitz whispered to
Chaudron. then ne turned to Anita
in the hall
When did you get to New Orleans.
miss?"
"Our train was late; we must have
reached this. house about II o'clock"
Last night2"
Last NIGHT"
How ara you come. In a cab or on
a carr"
a cab"
do Won remember the number or
the cab2"
NO SIR but tho man had side whis-
kers: I think ] should know him"
Fitz made no comment. IL should
be very easy 20 find this man
Miss Cameron" -Fuzgerald picked
his chance and questioned her apart
from Alice. for Anita had shown the
greatest self-control don't want 90
scare you. but did your aunt have any
large amount Of money with her. or
valuables OF any klnd2"
"No. I think not: I'm sure OF Il.
I heard her say she would have TO go
20 the bank the first thing this morn
ing. Why? 10 you think she has
been-killed?' She steadied herself
and waited for the man 20 answer.
mo. I do not think So" he said.
hut Anita saw the fear that was In
his mind
who did you see when you came
20 this house?" Fitzgerald pursued the
inquiry.
"A girl named Arthemlse-that
One"-Anita polntcd-"and the old
porter. I think be is called Hippo
lyte--"
mo one else7"
mo one else"
That is. no one but the servants
Of the hotel2"
Yes, and Monsieur Victor"
did Mrs Ashton have enemies?
Was there anyone who might wish
wish her harm?"
The last vestige OF color faded from
Anita's lips
Who was itG" Fitzgerald asked. for
he knew that there was some one.
Anita's eyes evaded his; she answered
unstoadlly:
Nobody; that isl don't know"
Fitzgerald looked at her queerly. It
seemed for several minutes. She
turned her face away. Then he asked
again:
What baggage did yeu bring?"
Tive bags."
Where are theyG"
One 81 them is IN sur room"
The ether
MY aunt tssS thai intO the room
with her"
Fitzgerald glanced inquiringIy at
FicteC. The FrenohmaR shook his
head. The trunks have Just come
keasieur FitE," be said.
Allow nssnv9"
Thrce," Victor replied