The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-05-07

greeted Lnem Win IlmOTOuS MUMMY.
A dozen quickly authenticated
alibis reduced the number of sus-
poets. Cooks, buffers, and stable
men were dismissed. The house
maids and personal attendants Of the
guests remained. or these three
we're eliminated, their duties hav-
ing kept them in other parts Of the
house or in communication with 9TH
er servants. A frightened gardeners
boy who could give no satisfactory
account of himself, the incorrupti-
BILE Ellen, Mrs. Gaynors maid Adele,
and the second housemaid in charge
of the guests annex remained for
more searching examination. The
| housemaid had been upon that floor,
| even in and out of all the rooms, as
was her duty. She had seen no one,
heard no one, and protested her in
noncence with tears. The garden
er's boy at last owned that he had
been making love to the cooks as
sistant through the kitchen window,
the damsel reluctantly corroborating
his statement. Mrs. Lawdon's maid
had left the room the moment her
mistress had gone to dinner-the
door was unlocked and the window
open-for which she bitterly de-
nounced herself. Ellen, nervous and
incoherent, confused her statements,
which consisted of the simple facts
of having put her mistress room in
order and gone below stairs, with
walls of contrition at having left
the apartment even for a moment.
Adele answered without hesitation.
She had felt i'll. Mrs. Gaynor, who
was the soul of kindness, had ex-
cused her from her duties, and even
divan, where, her neuralgia being
relieved, she had fallen asleep, and
only awakened when the housemaid
had entered. She had then put the
room in order and Joined the other
servants. The housemaid told of
finding her asleep on the divan, and
Mrs. Gaynor corroborated her first
statement, adding, that as the girl
was not strong, she often allowed
her privileges Of the sort.
THE fact remains, however" Mrs.
Gaynor added, that Adele is the
only person we find who was in that
part of the house for any length of
time" She turned to the maid
gently, whose honest eyes followed
her mistress with alteration. Were
you at all disturbed-did you wake
at any time, as if some noise had
reused you?"
NO, ma am. l slept sound"
What time was it, she ques-
toned the housemaid, when you
finished your rounds and you and
Adele went downstairs?"
About ten," said the housemaid
warily.
Then from ten till a quarter of
twelve, when Mrs. Lawdon went to
her room, there was no one on that
floor?"
There was silence.
adele" continued Mrs. Gaynor.
you are on no excuse to leave this
house until Mrs. Evelyn gives you
permission, and you are to do what
ever she wishes. | know you. are
innocent" she added kindly, lit is
done"
Very we'll, ma'am," said Adele
simply.
"They must be searched" said
Mrs. Lawdon. CLOSE the doors
please, and let the men go into the
drawing-room."
The women were searched amit
tears and walls. Mrs. Evelyn presid
ing as if such occurrences were ar
, everyday feature of her life, Mrs
Lawdon with frank brutality, anC
Mrs. Gayncr with pitying anxiety tt
spare the women's feelings.
Nothing was found. AS the las
garment was adjusted, Mrs. Lawdor
> burst into tears of vexation.
This is all nonsense, all ridicu
lous," she walled. II don't care
what you think, l want detectives
and I am going to have them"
; Mrs. Evelyn realized the useless
: ness of protest. You'll be sorry
but, of course. if you insist, we can
not do otherwise than allow you Il
take whatever measures you may de
sire"
Il should think not" sneered Mrs
Lawdon. Its all very well for the
Treadwells and the others to keel
close about it. but 1 notice the,
don't get their things back, and
mean to have mine-I don't car,
who gets punished"
, May these women retire now?'
asked the hostess coldly. Are yol
satisfied that none of your property
= is upon their penons?"
= II want them kept together ant
watched-all the time!" demanded
. Mrs. Lawdon aggressively. "And
want every room in the hous
earched-now-this minute"
THAT is being done," said Mrs
Gaynor. "Mr Evelyn is attending
to that. The search will be thor
ough, you may be sure"