The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1911-10-11

their expression, and in their
surrounding dark lashes ana
brows Mr.. Stone had a kindly
smile, and his face in repose seem
ed to denote an even temper ana a
gracious disposition. He was possessed
of great personal magnetism, and the
liking which / felt for him the first mo-
Inent I saw him grew rapidly into ad-
miration.
on the way down. at his request. 1
told him everything l knew about the
Maxwell mystery. He was intensely
interested: and l was secretly filled with
Joy when he expressed a decided ap-
I,roval of the methods l had used in
discovering the red ink.
After l had told him every detail of
the story, he changed the subject court
eously, but very decidedly, and talked
of other matters.
He was a brilliant conversatonallst,
which surprised me, FOR my mental pic
tore of a great detective had always
represented a most taciturn gentleman
of sinister aspect.
When we reached Maxwell Hall II
was nearly dinner time.
At the dinner table Mr.. Stone gave
no hint of his profession either in man
ner or appearance. He was simply 4
well-bred, well-dressed gentleman, with
trreproachable manners and a talent fo-
Interesting conversation.
l noticed that Mr.. Maxwell looked at
him with occasional fUrt;Ve glances'
and seemed 10 be meUIdaly "GlSIlIlS
The mans professional ability. Either
he was satisfied with the result of his
Ecrutiny or the charm of Mr.. stone ap-
pealed to him, for he distinctly showed
a liking for his new guest before the
close of the meal.
AS Mildred Leslie was not yet allow
cd 20 leave her room. the Writings and
Miss Gardiner made up the rest of the
dinner guests. Edith Whiting and her
husband We're always to be depended
on for a correct demeanOr of any sort
that the situation might require. but
! was anxious to see what attitude
Irene would assume toward the new
Conner.
TO nv surprite she showed all intense
interest in him. She seemed fairly
eager lest she lose one word of his con-
versation. AMI he~ brilliant checks and
shining eyes proved her vivid enjoyment
of the occasion.
After dinner there was music. In
addition to his other talents Mr.. Stone
was q musician. anC. though he declined
TO play for us that night. he seemed
thoroughly to enjoy The music we made
for him
Though quite content to leave matters
in his hands, l couldn't help wonder
ing when he intended to begin his de-
tectivf work But almost as If IT. an
swer to my thought, Mr.. Stone re-
Irarllcd that if it met with the approval
of them all. he would ask for short
but absolutely private interview with
each one.
Il assume there are no secrets among
U.s." he said. in his winning way, land
as l understand the situation. from
what Mr. King has told me. | think we
are all earnestly anxious to discove" the
person who took the life of Philip Max
we'll
This was said gravely. almost SOL
EMMY, and for a moment no one STOKE.
Then Miss Maxwell said. in her gentle
voice: Il trust l am not too revergeful
in spirit. but l OWL ! would be glad to
see the slayer of nv bow brought to
Justice"
Fleming Stone seemed to consider this
ali authority to proceed in his own way.
Askisg Miss Maxwell to GO with him
to the study. he escorted her from the
room with an air of tourIy grace that
sat well upon him.
After not more than ten minutes Mr..
Stone brought her back. and asked that
he might have a few words with Mr.
Maxwell. When the two men had gone
Miss Maxwell! gave voice to her adj
miratioE CT her new guest and declared
that she had never seen anyone who
gave her such favorable first impress
sions. We all agreed with her. and
were enthusiastic in our praise Of FleTu-
ing Stone as q man. whatever he might
prove to be as a detective.
When Mr.. MaXWell's short interview
was finished the others were taken in
turn, and l was somewhat surprised to
notice that Mr.. Stone detained Tom
Whiting far longer than any of the
rest.
When he finally rejoined the group In
the music room Fleming Stone said:
These preliminary and perhaps not
entirely necessary formalities are now
over, and ] think l have learned all
that I need to know from you who
more tonight. Tomorrow I must ask
for q short talk with Miss Leslie, and
after that will see Mr.. Crane"
But later that evening Fleming Stone
and l had a short conference in the
library I showed him the horse and
the inkstand; described the exact posi-
ton of Philip and Mildred when they
were found; showed him where the bits
of yellow down were discovered, and
pointed out how the balcony floor had
been marked by signs of an apparent
scufie.
Mr. Stone showed an unexpected in
terest in this last-named clue, though B.!
confess 1t had seemed to me the least
since been swept. but there were still
visible slight scratches in the long,
sweeping marks 1 have described.
81 do not deduce from these scratches
that there was a scuffe," said Mr..
stone THAT is, not in the sense Of
there having been struggle between
two persons. / see no reason for think
ing that these marks were made by
more than one pair of feet"
''Mr. Stone" / said, almost timidly,
"perhaps I have no right to ask, but
have your suspicious fallen in any d.
rection as yet?'
Fleming stone looked at me with an
expression of sorrow in his deep, gray
az will tell you," he said, 'for know
Won will not betray my confidence, that
/ am positively certain who the GRIM
inaI is, that it is not Gilbert Crane and
that # is a person upon whom I can
law my hand at any moment"
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