Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-01-05
maids went with her"

maids went with her."
When she saw that / was compare
the highwayman. she was greatly re
lieved- She was inclined to fight shy or
Hotchkiss however. for some reason
She gave MS breakfast OF a sort, for
ward we telephoned to the town for a
vehicle. While Hotchkiss examined
scratches and replaced the Bokhara rug
l engaged Jennie I'm conversation.
Can you tell me- ] asked, who i.
managing the estate since Mrs. Curtis
was killed."
No one. she returned. shortly
'Has-any member of the family been
here since the accident?"
NO. sir. There was only the two. and
we'll as his sister
You don't?"
NO" with conviction.
Why"
She wheeled on me with quick sus-
Are you a detectivee" she demanded.
mo"
You told him to say you represented
the law
Il am lawyer Some of them mis-
represent the law. but l.
She broke in, impatiently.
"A sheriffs officer?'
NO. Look here. Jennie: i am all that
| should be. You'll have to believe that.
And I'm In a bad position through no
fault of my own. 1 want you to answer
some questions. II you will help me. l
will do what l can for you. Do you live
near here?''
Her chin quivered 1t was the first
sign of weakness she had shown
My home is in Pittsburg." she said,
and | haven't enough money to get
there. They hadn't paid any wages for
two months They didn't pay anybody"
Very WE'LL 1 returned. "Tu send you
back to Pittsburg. Pullman included il
you will tell me some things / want to
know
She agreed eagerly. Outside the win
dow Hotchkiss was bending over. exam
lining footprints in the drive.
Now" | began. there has been a Miss
West staying here?"
Yes"
Mr.. Sullivan was attentive TO her.
wealthy man in Pittsburg Ny aunt
has been I'm his family for twenty years
Mrs. Curtis wanted her brother to marry
Miss West
do you think he did marry herr !
could not keep the excitement out OF my
voice.
NO. There were reasons'-she stop
ped abruptly.
DO you know anything OF the family.
Are they-were they New Yorkers?'
They came from somewhere in tire
south. I have heard Mrs. Curtis say her
mother Cuban. l don't know
much about them but Mr.. Sullivan had
"A wicked temper, though he didn't look it.
Folks say big. light-haired people are
easy going. but | don't believe II, sir
How long was Miss West hereo"
Two weeks"
hestated about further questioning
Critical as my position was. I could not
pry deeper into Alison Vests affairs If
she had got into the hands of adventur-
ers, as Sullivan and his sister appeared
to have been. she was safely away from
them again. But something OF the situa-
ton in the car Ontario was forming it
self in my mind-the incident of the farm
house lacked only motive to be complete
Was Sullivan. after all. a rascal or a
criminal? Was the murderer Sullivan OF
Mrs. Conway? The lady or the tiger
again
Jennie was speaking.
Il hope Miss West was not hurt?" she
asked. We liked her. all OF US. She
was not like Mrs. Curtis
l wanted TO say that she was not like
anybody in the world. = Instead-"Shs
escaped with some bruises" ! said.
She glanced at my arm. You were on
the train?''
yes.
She waited for more questions. but none
coming. she went to the door. Then she
closed II softly and came back.
Mrs. Curtis is dead? You are sure OF
she was killed instantly, I believe.
The body was not recovered. But have
reasons for believing that Mr.. Sullivan
is living
Il knew it." she said IL think lie
was here the night before last. That is
why / went to the tower room. | believe.
he would kill me IL he could" As nearly
az her round and comely face could ex-
press it. Jennie's expression was tragic
at that moment. I mad0 a quick resoIu-
ton and acted on il at once.
You are not entirely frank with me.
Jennie / protested. And I am going
to tell you more than I have. We are
talking ut crosS purposes.
ITO be continued tomorroWl