The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-11-10

7 will send a wire to Mr.. Myers as
soon as I return to town, he said with
something that was almost like inso-
lence in his tones. Mrs. Fairfax
wishes you to see the paper merely
because she feels that 1t is due you in
strict courtesy, and because she has
nothing to conceal"
Annerly took the paper which the
lawyer still extended and looked at it
with Justifable curiosity. 1t was, or
purported TO be. as the lawyer had
said, a will, dated five years back
drawn up in favor OF Helen Terrell
Fairfax and witnessed by people whose
names Annerly had never heard.
1t was short anC concise. but. so far
as Annerly could tell, perfectly legal.
Aside from the main legacy Of the
estate TO Mrs. Fairfax, there was only
a single bequest of $500 a year 10 JEFF
fersOn. Nobody Sc was mentioned.
''Since you have shown ms this
paper" said the detective, quietly,
may 1 beg 10 be allowed 10 ask YOU
one or two questions, Mrs. Fairfax
The glances Of the men Qor. while
Annerly addressed Mrs. Fairfax, he
looked at the lawyer met firmly. In
my presence, yes" said Reynolds,
coolly. Mrs. Fairfax has placed her
interests in my hands. And l have ad-
vised her that she is not obliged TO
answer any questions which you may
ask her. As a matter of courtesy
Thank you, said Annerly, repress-
ing any signs Of resentment at the
others insolence. There has been.
as you know, Mrs. Fairfax. 4 great
deal OF trouble and annoyance since
the death Of Major Fairfax over the
fact that the will was missing. VIII
you tell me why this paper has not
been produced before-Why Mr.. Myers
was left in ignorance Of its existence
yesterday"
In the first place"-she looked at
the lawyer, and flushed a little-'I was
Ignorant myself yesterday of the ex-
istence Of the will in question 1
found il this morning in one Of the
drawers OF the desk in the library"
You were aware, Of course, that
such a will had been made FIVE years
ago?" commented Annerly.
Yes. I saw the will and was told
about its provisions then. Later.
understood that it had been de-
stroyed."
Under what circumstances was the
will made?"
She colored again
My brother-in-law and were on
better terms then than we we're after
ward, she said. She spoke with some
difficulty. His fortune was not nearly
so large then as it is now, and with
the exception of my husband. who had
died not long before, all Of Major
Fairfaxs brothers and sisters were
living. / mean that at that time there
was no one dependent upon him. He
claimed to be greatly infatuated with
me-
AnneTly thought he knew that the
woman was lying. He knew. how
ever, that he had no way to prove it.
Do you mean" he asked shortly.
that the will was drawn up in an
ticipatiOn Of q union between you and
your brother-ln-law-that his intention
at that time was to make you his
wife?"
For the first time Reynolds inter
fered.
Mrs Fairfax is not obliged 10 an
swer your questions, you know. An
nerly," he said, harshly "As a mat
ter of fact, it is none of your business
why the late Major Fairfax chose to
name her as his legatee'
Circumstances Alter Cases.
she is not obliged to answer any
questions which ] may ask-no. said
Annerly. cheerfuIly. She will be
asked harder questions than these.
Mr.. Reynolds, as perhaps you know.
by Mr.. Myers, who. acting for the
heirs-at-law. viii be acting strictly
within his province in asking them.
when the will is contested-if / am
not"
i have no reason to refuse to an
swer," said Mrs. Fairfax, a triAe re
luctantly, in response to a nod from
reynolds The will was drawn up
with the understanding that l was to
become the testator's wife. Not that
can see she added, pointedIy. what
earthly effect his motive could have
upon the validity of the will
Annerly's eyes did not leave her
face.
And, as a matter of fact. YOU
thought the will destroyed long ago"
he said, then.
Major Fairfax told me so-yes We
Quarreled, and he told me that he had
destroyed the will. I did not blame
him for doing so. There was never
we had no tastes in common. was
surprised that he made the will in the
first place-not that he DESTROYED i,
And ] do not mean to have Won under
stand~tha- there was ever any engage
ment between US"
only he hoped there would be-"
only that he hoped there would be
yes"
She looked at the lawyer, then at
Annerly.
Mrs. Foster died early the following
year, and I think that her husband