The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-05-20

criminal merely because there was no one else to be considered. And MT. Fairbanks quick mind realized that if there were two suspects, there yet might be three, or more, and Schuyler Carleton would at least have fair chance
 All things concerned seemed to have taken on a new interest, and MT. Fairbanks proposed to begin in- vestigations at once.
 "But I don't see,' he complained, cealed that reliquary business. Why didn't he explain that at once?"
 Carleton is a peculiar nature, |" said Rob. "He is shrinkingly sensi- tive about his private affairs, and, being innocent, he had no fear at first that even suspicion would rest upon him, so he saw no reason to tell what would have been looked up- on as a silly superstition. Had he been brought to trial, he would doubtless have made a clean breast of the matter. He is a strange man, any way; very self-contained, abnor- mally sensitive. and not naturally frank. But if freed from suspicion he will be more approachable, and search"
 "Of course, though said MT. Fair banks tnoughtfully, "you must realize that to disinterested observer this affair of MT. Carleton and Miss Burt does not help to turn suspicion away from him.
 'I- do realize tnat,r said Rob; 'but to an interested observer it looks diff ferent- Why. if MT. Carleton were the guilty man, he surely would not tell so frankly the story of his in terest in Miss Burt"
 This was certainly true, and MT Fairbanks agreed to it.
 Rob had been obliged to tell the detective the facts of the case, LnOuSH u1dLiHS dS IltIle~ dS pOSSAUAS on Carleton's private affairs.
 At any rate," said MT. Fairbanks, i've will not consider MT. Carleton for the present, but turn toward the new trail, and it may lead us, at least, in the right direction. If Miss Dupuy is innocent, our investigations can do her no harm, and if she knows more than she has told, we may be able to learn something of importance. But she is of such hysterical ma ture, it is difficult to hold satisfac- tory conversation with her."
 Perhaps it would be advisable for me to telk to her first" said Rob. 'I might put her more at her ease than a formidable detective. could, and then I could report to you what I learn"
 ''Yes, agreed the other; you could choose an expedient time, and, being in the same hotae, Miss French might help you.''
 She could secure an interview for me quite casually. am sure. And then, if I don't succeed, you can in- sist upon an official session, and ques- tion her definitely"
 There are indications,'' unused MT. Fairbanks, "that accidental leaving of such a paper on the table is a little unlikely. If it were done pur- posely, it would be far easier to un- derstand."
 "Yes, and, granting there is any ground for suspicion, all Miss Dupuy's mysteries and disinclinations to an- swer questions would be explained"
 Well, hate to suspect a woman. but we won't call it suspicion; we'll call it simply inquiry. You do what you can to get a friendly interview, and, if necessary, I'll insist on an of E. ficial one later.'
 Rob Fessenden went straight over to the Van Norman house, eager to tell Kitty French the developments of the afternoon.
 She was more than willing to re- wise her opinions, and was honestly glad that MT. Carleton was practical ly exonerated.
 (To be continued1