Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-08-18

ION the contrary. he took pains TO Ak
plain that his motive In having the case
investigated was actuated by nothing
to have formed some theory which he
wishes proved or disproved."
''Um! Do you think that he suspects
some one?'
THAT idea came to me. but rejected
IL when he offered me twenty thousand
dollars to solve the mystery and produce
my man.
Twenty thousand dollars, He pays
well for gratified curiosity. II would be
interesting TO know Mr.. Summerheld. IL
he is as original I'm everything"
He at least possesses the faculty OF
keeping one guessing"
Milbrath pulled at his cigar for q mo-
ment in thoughtful silence.
i glanced at kilbourne. who faced US I'm
a high-back chair. Between his almost
closed eyeiids he was regarding Milbrath
with steady scrutiny. and i knew that
when he turned away he would have
formed an opinion of the young man that
In all probability he would never change.
But his silence made me apprehensive.
for / knew from experience that silence
in kflbourne foreboded antipathy or an
tagonism. / had faith that his analysis
OF Milbraths character would be unpreju-
diced and practically unerring: but I
knew, also, that he was given to personal
dislikes founded. as he was frank enough
to admit. on nothing more reliable than
intuition, which would utterly destroy his
interest In person or a case. and 1 felt
that l should be lost without Kilbourne's
counsel in this new work.
] explained TO Mibrath that I had &C.
cepted Mr.. Summerfield's proposition be-
cause he had insisted on an immediate de-
cision. but I added. Il have no inten-
ton OF doing anything without your per-
mission: that was one of the stipulations
OF my agreement with him."
lhpot cH ~ vlo -
prise and question.
MY permission" he repeated, and
smiled. 1T had not occurred to me that
NV permission was necessary. You are
good to put IL that way. and. OF course.
you have it, Go ahead in your own way
and count upon me for any assistance
can give. Shall you wish to visit Over
look?"
That will doubtless be the best be-
ginning. I should like to go there. how
ever not as detective. but as q tenant.
IL can arrange terms"
That point need not trouble you. You
are welcome to use the place indefinitely.
The property is In the hands of an
agent. but will see that he understands
the situation. When will you care to go
out?"
Tomorrow IL may"
so soon? Then will give you q note
to Mr.. Arms. the farmer, who Is also
| caretaker OF the grounds. The house,
you understand. is closed and deserted.
Perhaps you would be more comfortable
at the farm. Mrs Arms has taken Q
| summer boarder before now. In that
way you would have the run Of the place
| without the inconvenience OF keeping IL
up
THAT feature has no terror for me.
and l know a Frenchman who will jump
at the chance Of going out with me as
general factotum. Besides, think that
I should be freer at the villa"
THAT is possible. The Wintonites are
| a simple-hearted. hospitable folk. dis
| tinctively rural in type and ready enough
to take a stranger into their circle. un-
less, indeed. a connection with The
Place OF Silence as / hear they have
come to call Overlook, stands In the way.
Excuse me for a moment and will write
an Introduction to Mr.. Arms"
He turned to q writing table at his
elbow and penned q few lines. which 10
handed to me.
venience for you and your work ut Over.
look" he said. But IL anything In lack
ing. please let me know what II To-
have engaged passage on the Umbria,
which sails q week from tomorrow. bat tf
i can help you by remaining will cancel
my booking"
That seems hardly necessary, thank
you. Still IL you can arrange 10 be with
me while you are here 1t would be very
helpful ~
An expression OF acute pain flashed
across Milbraths mobile face and he
shook his head.
Anywhere but in winton." he said.
sadly. THE townspeople still hold me
guilty-they look askance at me. 1t
least"
But you were acquitted"
'True-afterward- / tell you. Mr.. Bliss.
q man who has done a crime may be sat-
isfied TO get free with his life. but one
without guilt who has been held and con-
victed, then freed. will carry a stain on
his name and q blight on his happiness
just 50 long as the real criminal re-
mains undetected. Good God! You can
not understand II. No one who has not
been through IL can know what IL means
to have q free conscience, ana yet realize
that wherever his name precedes him
there are some to look at him with dis
trustful eyes, believing that the court
erred in giving him his freedom"
Milbrath spoke rapidly and with dra-
matte intensity. I stretched out my hand
and touched his arm.
I'VE are going TO find the real criminal
now" / said, convincingly. But, Mr..
Milbrath, there is need for absolute can
dor between us. Without your confidence
can work only in q half light. you
questions?
Certainly"
Have you any theory as to who muir
dered Mr.. Somhers?'
Milbrath's eyes fell and he pulled out
his watch and glanced at IL nervously.
No he said. after a second.
I heard Kilbourne catch his breath
sharply. but his face remained impassive.
And there is no one whom you sus-
pect OF knowing who did it?''
Again Milbrath took out his watch and
looked at 1t with unseeing eyes before hs
spoke.
No" he said again
Go be continued tomorrow