The Washington times., 1911-10-08

THE MAXWELL MYSTERY
~
THE TIMES DAILY SERIAL STORY
By CAROLYN WELLS
Copyright. 1911. The Frank A. Munsey Co.,

the desk and then rolled toward the
couch, and had stopped Just under the
long upholstery fringe which decorated
the edge of the couch, and which
reached to the floor.
THAT gives ray of light?' ex-
claimed Hunt triumphantly.
What do you mean by that? said
wondering, for could see no indication
II can tell you now," said Hunt,
"for some one is coming. l think, Mr.
King, it will be wiser to keep these dis
coveries quiet for the present. Indeed,
ii is imperative that we should do So"
1t was Tom Whiting and his wife who
came to the door.
I'VE want you. Mr.. King, II Mr..
Hunt will excuse yon," said Edith Whit
ing in her pleasant way.
Certainly" said Mr.. Hunt. Il am
just going home, anyway"
Have you discovered anything
asked Tom Whiting.
I'VE hope to do so," said Mr.. Hunt.
81 think we are on the right track,
though we have not progressed very
fast as yet.
Were going for an automobile ride, -
said Tom, ;and If you authorize 1t.
think ii would be well for US to inquire
concerning any strangers in automobiles
who may have been seen In town day
before yesterday"
Il think it could do no harm,' said
Mr.. Hunt, ''thoungh it's taking a very
slim chance"
II fear that we have nothing but slim
chances TO take" said Tom sadly.
We started away, but Hunt called me
back to whisper a parting message.
IF you find any strangers In auto
mobile togs," he said, observe care
fully whether there are any signs of
from the lower front of their coats.
That's the slimmest Kind OF slim
chance yet" | said, almost smiling at
the idea, but promise you II find an
automobilist spattered with red ink
will arrest him at ONCE
found the others ready and waiting
for me. 1t seemed pathetic 70 ride away
in Philips automobile, but, as Tom
Whiting had said. the Lldies really
needed some fres,l air. and n" thought
the trip would do US all good.
Mr.. Maxwell and Miss Miranda in
sisted on our going. and 50 We starred
off. Mr.. and Mrs. Whiting sat in front.
for Tom was quite as good a chauffeur
as Philip had been; and Miss Gardiner
and | sat behind
AS there was ample room for another
Irene proposed that we stop 70" Gilbel |
Crane This we did, and he seemed
glad to accept the invitation.
1t scarcely seemed like the same party
who a few days before. accompanied by
Philip, had travelled so merrily over
these same roads.
In pursuance Of Tom Writings idea,
we endeavored to find out L. any strIng-
ers in automobiles had been seen in
town lately
we inquired at the small but pic
turesque Inn, at the larger. bu- less pre-
tentious, hotel, at the golf clubhouse
at the railway station and postoffice;
but no hint could we CLEAN of any motor
cars other than those belonging in the
village, all of which were well known.
On our return. Mrs. Whiting asked
Mr.. Crane to come in to luncheon with
us and he accepted.
He alighted before did. and as he
stood waiting to help Miss Gardiner out,
the midday sunlight shone full upoh
him.
| looked at him curiously. thinking
what a large, fine-looking fellow he was
physically. and how becoming his fash
ionable automobile coat was to him. Its
color was a light brOwn!nsh gray. and
as my eye rested idly upon II, I sud-
denly noticed something that made my
heart stand still.
On the front of this same coat. on the
lower edge. were several small spots,
visible only in the brightest sunlight.
which, whatever they might be. had
every appearance of being red ink.
To say | was stunned would pretty
well express my feelings, but ] was
learning not to show surprise at uneX-
pected developments.
/ went into the house with the rest.
and finding that Mr.. Hunt had gone, l
sent a note to him by one of the serv-
ants asking him to return at o'clock.
He came Just as we finished luncheon.
and bidding him go into the library
and await me there. / went into Mr..
Maxwelrs study. Finding my host
there as I had hoped, and not wishing
10 elevate my voice. I scribbled on
bit OF paper a request that Mr.. Max
well would ask MIR. Crane to come into
his study, and would keep him there,
securely for twenty minutes at least.
Mr.. Maxwell read the paper quietly.
handed It back to me, gave me a quick
nod Of comprehension and Immediately
went in search of Gilbert Crane.
A moment later, / saw him return
with Gilbert Crane. They entered the
study and closed the door, so 1 knew