The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-10-19

the Red Pig mad come up to see her
sister and had related details about
her visitor Probably Mrs. Krill
guessed that Hurd had been asking
questions, and Matilda had been intro
duced to see II he was the man He
became certain of this when Miss Junk
threw up her hands. THE commercial
gentw she exclaimed.
ooh. no." said Maud, smiling smooth
IL. This is Mr.. Hurd, the detective,
who is searching for the assassin of
my dear father"
"Lor'," said Matilda, growing red
"And he's the man as came 10 ask
questions at the 'otel | do call it bold
OF you, Mister Policeman"
"Why did you go down to Christ
church," asked Miss Kril
III / have to find out who killed your
father" said Hurd, with an accent on
the word father, at was necessary that
I should learn about his past life as
Lenuel Krill."
My mother could have informed
you, sir
q guessed as much, and, as Miss
Junk would not speak. / have come to
question Mrs. Krill. All. here she is"
Hurd rose and bowed. Il am glad to
see you, madam"
Mrs. Krill, who was as plump and
smiling and smooth faced and severe
as ever, bowed and rubbed her white
hands together. At a sign from Maud,
| Matilda gathered up the fancy work
and went out OF the room, with many
backward glances. These were mostly
indignant, for she was angry at Hurd's
deception. do you wish my daughter
to stayT' asked Mrs. Krill smoothly.
THAT Is as she pleases," said the de-
tective.
mo, thank you, mother" said Maud,
shuddering 81 have heard quite
enough Of my poor fathers terrible
DEATH" and she swept out of the draw
ing room, with a gracious smile.
1.-THE poor child is so sensitive" sigh
ed Mrs. Krill, taking a seat with her
back to the window. II trust, Mr..
Hurd, you have come with good news"
said the widow.
What would you call good news?"
asked the detective dryly.
THAT you had traced the assassin"
she replied coolly.
I'll leave you to judge whether I
have been successful" said Hurd.
Il shall be pleased to hear" was the
equally calm reply. But as Mrs. Krlll
spoke she glanced toward u gorgeous
tapestry curtain at the end of the room,
and Hurd fancled he saw it shake It
suddenly occurred to him that Maud
was behind. Why she should choose
this secret way OF listening when she
could have remained 1t was difficult to
say, and he half thought he was mis-
taken.
Il was lately down at Christchurch.
madam" began the detective.
$50 my servant, Matilda Junk, said
/ could have saved you the journey.
/ can tell you what you wish to know.
I'm that case / will relate all that
/ have learned, and perhaps you will
correct me If am wrong"
Mrs. Krill bowed, but did not COM
NIT herself TO speech. For the sake of
| effect the detective took out q sheaf
| of notes, but in reality he had the
various points of the case at his finger
| tips. you will excuse me if I talk on
very private affairs" he said apologet-
! ically, "but as we are alone"-again
Mrs. Krill glanced at the curtain and
thereby confirmed Hurds suspicious of
an unseen listener-"you will not mind
my being perhaps personal. l had to
! look into your past as well as into that
! of your husbands
| Mrs. Krilfs eyes grew harder than
ever. She scented danger. MY past
is a most uninteresting one," she said
! coldly. II was born at Stowley, In
| Buckinghamshire, and married Mr.
/ Krill at Beechill, which is a few miles
from that town. lie was traveller in
| jewelry, but as l did not like his being
/ away from me I induced him to rent
the Red Pig at Christchurch, to which
| we removed. Then he left me-
ION account of Lady Rachel Sandals
murder?"
Mrs. Krill controlled herself excel
| lently, although she was startled by
| this speech, as was evident from the
expression of her eyes. That poor
+ Idtly COnm1lISG SUlGlQCs Sue 6dIO 0e
liberately. THE jury at the inquest
brought in verdict of suicide
by a majority of one" added Hurd
| quickly. There seems to be q con.
siderable amount of doubt as to the
! cause of the death"
THE death was caused by strangula-
tion." said Mrs. Krill in hard tones
Since you know all about the matter
! you must be aware that I and my
! daughter had retired after seeing Lady
/ Rachel safe and sound for the night
! The death was discovered by q boon
| companion of my husbands. with
whom he was drinking at the time"
II know that Also that you came
down with your daughter when the
1 alarm was given. l also know that
Krill fastened your daughters lips to
+ gether with the opal brooch which was