Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-09

or less by accident. upon a startling discov-
cry. He had, 1t will be remembered. called
upon the little actress to whom he had rem
dered so signal a service on the night OF the
theater panic. and whom in the heat and
confusion Of the moment he had failed to
recognize, but now he knew that he was
face to face with the lady whom he had
seen with Sartoris at Audley place.
Field was not often astonished. but he
gave full rein to that emotion now. For
he had made more than one discovery at
the same time. In the first place he had
found Miss Violet Decie, Sir Charles
Darrylfs ward, who proved at the same
time to be the actress known as Adela Nane
But that was minor discovery compared to
the rest Here was the girl who at one
time had been engaged TO Carl Sartoris
and who was supposed to be connected
more or less with his misfortunes.
Here was the girl too, who might be in
position to supply the key to the mystery
Undoubtedly, the backbone of the whole
thing was the desire for money. Sir Charles
Darryll and his friend Lord Edward Decie
had been engaged in some adventurous
speculation together In Burmah They had
doubtless deemed that speculation to be
worthless but Carl Sartoris had found that
they We're mistaken. Therefore, trusting to
his changed appearance and his disguise
he had asked his old sweetheart to call
upon him. The conversation that Field had
overheard in the conservatory was going to
be useful.
The curious questioning look In the girls
eyes recalled Field to himself. He had in
stantly to make up his mind as to his line
of action. Miss Decie, to give her her
proper name, gave the inspector little
time to decide what to do. ..- -
How can I ever sufficiently thank you?
she asked. Really, L could not sleep all
night for thinking about the horror of the
thing and your brave action. TWAS splen-
did,
Not at ALL Field said modes,ly. II am
accustomed to danger You see l am po-
lice officer, a detective inspector from Scot
land Yard. 1t is little strange that
should have been able to do you a service
seeing that came to the theater on purpose
to see you
The girls eyes opened a little wider. but
she said nothing.
Perhaps l had better be quite candid.
you can
Most assuredly After last night, I will
do anything you like. Pray go on
Thank you very much Field replied
TT is very good of you to make my task
easier. You see am closely connected with
the inquiry into the sudden death of Sir
Charles Darryll and the subsequent start
ling dSapDearance of his body. Were not
your father and Sir Charles great friends in
India long ago? Do you recollect that?"
The girl nodded; her eyes were dilated
with curiosity. Field could not find 1t in his
heart to believe that,she was bad girl.
"They had adventures together she said.
''They were going to make fortune over
some mine or something of that kind. But
it never came to ranythng.
You are absolutely sure of that?" Field
asked.
We'll. so far as l know. the thing came
to nothing. Some man was employed to
make certain Investigations. and he re-
ported badly of the scheme. only heard
all this talk as child. and L was not par
ticularly interested. You see, l knew very
little of Sir Charles though he was my
guardian. There were certain papers that
he deposited with a solicitor who used TO
get him out of messes from time to time,
but really I am ignorant as you are
You don't even know the name of the
SOLICITOR" Field asked
II do now" the girl said Il found IL
among some letters. Do you know that q
Mr.. Sartoris, who claims to know my
father and Sir Charles. also wrote me on
the same matter? He asked me to go ana
see him at Wandswerth. He is a crippled
gentleman. and very nice. He has lovely
conservatory room full of flowers. L was
at his house only last night, and he talked
to me very much the same way as you are
DOING
II know that" Field said calmly. Il was
hiding in the conservatory and listened
Miss Decie gave little cry of astonish-
ment.
"Our profession leads US into strange
places" Field said. II heard all that con-
versation so there is no occasion TO ask
you to repeat it. You will recollect saying
body that you knew years ago in India.
Have you made up your mind who the gem
tlernan in question does resemble
The girls face grew white. and then the
red blood famed into her cheeks again.
II have fancy she said. But are not
these idle questions?'
II assure you that they are vital to this
strange investigation" Field said earnestly.
Then | had better confess to you that
Mr. Sartoris reminded me of a gentleman
to whom l was once engaged in India; |
was greatly deceived in the man to whom
| was engaged; indeed it was tragic time
altogether. l don't like to speak of it"
10th as l am to give you pain. must
proceed" Field said WAS the gentleman
you speak of known as a Mr.. Carl Grey,
by any chance.
Yes. that was the name. see you know
a great deal more than 1 anticipated. | sup
pose you have been making Investigations
But l cannot possibly see what"
What this has to do with the death OF
Sir Charles Darryll? My dear young lady.
this is very complicated case; at least it
looks like one at present and its ramifica
tons go long way, | want to know all
you can tell me about Carl Grey
AZ can tell you nothing that is good the
girl said. She had risen from the chair and
was pacing up and down the room in
state of considerable agitation. There was
a tragedy behind it all. | don't think that
| really and truly loved Carl Grey; l fancy
that he fascinated me. There was another
man that l cared more for. He died trying
to save my me-.
Field nodded encoura cement; a good deal
of this he knew already. -.. =. .,,.,. So.
Let me make it easy for you If / can"
he said. II have found out a great deal
from a little conversation, part of which
overheard between Col-. Bennington and
Miss Mary Grey, or Miss Mary Sartorfs,
which you like. There was a mysterious
affair, but it resulted in the death or disap-
pearance of the other man and the perma
nent Gripping of Carl Grey. Am L misn-
formed or is this practically the case?'
II cannot see what this has to do with
Sir Charles Darryll," Violet Decie said
slowly. -...---. ...,. .....
Pardon me, but it has a great deal to
do with the case Field replied. If you
knew all that I do you would not hesitate
for moment. II. you care to write 1t
down.
The girl stopped IN her restless walk; her
eyes were heavy with tears.
"I'll tell you, she said. II must not for
get that owe my life to your bravery. AS
said before, 1 was engaged to Carl Grey.
But for his sister I don't think that should
ever have consented But there it was, and
loved another man at the time And the
other man loved me. There was a deal of
between the two. and l was fright
ened. Carl Grey was always queer and
mysterious; he was ever seeking. to- pene-
trate the mysteries of the east. Strange
men would come, to- his bungalow late at