Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-09-01
CHAPTER XIV.
Who is La Cour?

Hutton's gossip gave me food for a new
train Of thought as logged into the vii
Iage on my homeward trip. With the
villagers I agreed that "din-i-mite" about
was scarcely reason enough for Mr.. Som
hers strenuous objection to visitors at
the time the south wing was. being con-
structed but his conduct in the Peters
case convinced me that IL the old gentle
man was mad. II was madness born OF
fear and passed with the completion OF
the addition.
Such a supposition led to but one con-
clusion-that there was secret in the
construction of the wing which was
shared with him and the stranger work
men only by Arms and. quite probably.
by Mr.. Milbrath. That Milbrath should
Re con.idant seemed natural but why
Arms alone of the five servants? Why
were the others. as faithful and as long
in Mr.. Somhers' service, dismissed and
James Arms retained? A new hypothesis
for Arms present conduct began 10 shape
itself in my mind.
was at the village post Office BY this
time. and found that the usual number
OF idle villagers adorned the piazza.
Joined the loungers and happened upon a
scrap OF information that decided might
he turned 10 use in Strengthening out the
tangled web I had in hand.
There was a mysterious stranger. IL
seemed. who, according TO rumor. called
upon Mr.. Somhers on the day OF tie
tragedy A Beverly hackman Of the
name Of Jandyce averred that he had
driven him 10 the gates of Overlook. Mr.
Jandyce's fare was not. however. con-
sideTed by the intelligent poliDe Of Bev-
srly county 10 be of sufficient Importance
20 look up. Notwithstanding the emphatic
assertion OF the house servants that no
caller was admitted BY them 10 Overlook
on the day OF the murder. Indeed M
Jandyce was not called upon even 10 tell
his story to the coroners jury. and my
tnformer surmised that the reason Law in
Mr.. Jandyce's tendency to seek the SEN
sational and 10 tell big yarns when under
the influence of liquor.
could afford 10 pass over nothing that
might lead TO a possible working theory.
Therefore ! sent Gaspard 10 Beverly on
Tuesday 10 interview Jandyce. The man
had moved 10 Milton, twenty miles dis
tant. 20 which place Gaspard followed.
II required all of Gaspards finesse and a
fai--s!Ze bank note TO induce Jandyce u
iaik, for with the cunning OF the ig-
norant. lie became Immediately suspi-
cious that stranger who was interested
in his story at that late day was trying
10 involve him in some way.
NV emissary obtained the information
that the man whom Jandyce brought To
Overlook on that 18th of October was OF
medium height. in figure not unlike MIR.
Somhers ard with a mustache. but Jan
dyce could not recall of what color. His
hat was drawn well over his face. and
his chin was 80 buried In his muffier mot
outstanding the season. that Jandycs
got LITTLE idea Of his face. lie left the
eastoouDd afternoon traineat Beverly and
entering Jandyce's carriage gave an ordei
TO he driven to Overlook. At the gates
Of Overlook which he seemed To know
he stopped the carriage AMI announced
that he would walk the remaining dis
lance. His voice was that of a gentle
man, and. in the opinion of Jandyce, he
was used 10 orderin'.'
So much for the mysterious visitor Il
Overlook. about whom I resolved to learr
more, If possible, for j believed that b,