The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-09-15
CHAPTER H-lCOntinued.l

JEFFERSON flashed a quick
look at him. and the words
died away IN a mere jangle
OF empty sounds.
yea sir" was all be said
AuneziY looked at the witness
stupldIy. What was the secret OF the
mans ret3cenoe9 From his glance at
the face Of the dead man. Annerly
no mean judge OF character. felt sure
that the writer OF that letter could
have been carrying on no mere vul-
gar intrigue.
A man entered at this juncture. An
nearly. who. had seen him more than
once recognized him instantly as
Adolf Myers, the senior member OF the
arm OF Myers & Myers, and the legal
gentleman who was currently sup
t,osed 10 be thoroughly familiar with
the affairs OF the deceased and the
custodian Of HIS viii. He turned from
him with a little start Just as Rey-
nolds addressed Jefferson again
You viii please give the name of
the woman TO whom the letter was
addressed
TT was addressed to Alice Edmunds,
sir, the housekeeper."
VERY Welt Mrs. Edmunds, viii
YOU be kind enough TO come forward?
The woman rose instantly and with
no visible signs Of reluctance. An
nerly was watching her keenly as she
passed Mrs. Fairfax. however, and he
saw a look Of such utter hatred pass
between the two as made him shuG-
der. II Mrs. Fairfax possessed any
authority after the funeral, Il was
very evident that Mrs. Edmunds
tenure Of the office OF housekeeper
would be a brief one
you are housekeeper here, are you
not? How long have you been IN the
employment Of the late Major Fair
fax"
Eighteen years. sir
what about the letter OF which
the last two witnesses have spoken p
II have il here. sir" The woman
spoke in a gingularly low, sweet
5oice-the voice Of a lady. Perhaps
Z should say in explanation Of 1t that
AIR. Fairfax. feeling e little under OBJ
legations 10 my husban6-dead SO
long ago-has been most kind and con
siderate OF me IN every way. He has
thought OF late, I fancy. that under
certain circumstances my stay under
this roof might be rendered exceed
ingly unpleasant. In no other way can
I account for this letter delivered TO
me by Jefferson last night"
She handed the lawyer a bit OF pa
per. He opened # and read aloud:
7 do rot know how long I may
1--we. When die. however, I enjoin
most positively upon the one OF ones
who may follow me as owner Of the
Orchards" that Alice Edmunds, for
whom 7 have the utmost respect. be
LETT undlsturbed IN her present office
until her death. or until she shall OF
her own viii and uniniuenced by
others refuse to retain the position
This paper IS signed by sylvester
Fairfax and would pre-suppose some
vague uneasiness on the part OF your
late employer said the lawyer DELHI
erately; some solicitude about his
own life. Can you explain this?''
NO. sir. I have already told you
all know about the matter"
1T Is possible that the late Major
Fairfax's VIII may throw a little light
upon the matter said Reynolds per-
plexedly. Under the circumstances,
Mr.. Myers. NAV / ask you who is the
beneficiary under the Willy You are
only anticipating matters. you know.
and believe that the entire family is
present. Tell Us simply who VIII come
INTO possession of this vast property.
who viii benefit by Major Fairfax's
death
1T seems TO me that this IS the
-reat-the only-questionr'