The Washington times., 1911-10-13

i
manent home at Maxwell
Hall and agreed to support him in
dulgenly and even extravagantly."
Here. at the very climax OF the re-
Icital, Mr.. Maxwell sank back upon the
couch, breathless and exhausted. But
after a moments rest he continued:
I'VE lived happily enough for about
three years-in fact. until one day about
n fortnight ago.
That morning l. was here in my
principal papers relating to tho trust
] had held for Philip.
Suddenly 1 was called to the telc.
rhcne, and, thinking to return IA u
minute. left the papers on my desk.
But was detained at the telephone
much longer than / anticipated, and
when I returned, although there was
nobody In sight, it seemed to me the
papers had been disturbed.
'"rhey were tossed sbout. and felt
rresentiment that Philip had been in
there and had read them. 1t would
have been no breach Of honor on his
part, for he had always been allowed
free access to my study and to my busi-
ness papers.
From that time on Philip was a
changed man. His manner toward me
confirmed my suspicion that he had dis
covered my guilt. No mention was
made of the subject between us, but for
more than a week Philip continued TO
act like a man crushed py sudden
Last Monday he wrote a letter to me
in which he told me that he had lis
covered the truth, and that he felt he
was entitled to an explanation. This
'ay a I n not uty
was wiling to face my nepliew's we'll
deserved condemnation and the eS-
rosure of my treachery to the public.
On Monday then. after reading
would take my own life, as being a cow
mrdly but tinal solution cf my difficult
Eties
Monday evening sat in my study
had placed my pistol in my pocket, and
lad intended to go up to my own room
and there expiate my guilt toward my
brother and his son.
AT this moment Mr.. King CHANGED
to come into my study, and mentioned
that Philip and Mildred were in the
library. This strengthened my purpose,
for felt sure that Philip was even
then telling Miss Leslie that he was in
reality a rich man.
''Mr. King went on through the bill
Naid room and across the hall to the
music room. I left the study at once.
door.
AS crossed fhe back part Of the holl
! felt an impulse to look once more on
Philips face. ! knew I could step put
and look In at the library window I'M
observed.
1T has always been my habit when
going out for moment into the night
S1r to catch up any coat from the hat
stand and throw 1t around me. I did
this mechanically. and It cfanced to be
Gilbert Cranes automobile coat.
II went up the hack stairs, putting the
my hands into the pockets, / felt there
the cap and goggles.
1t was then that the evil impulse
,,,i,S seized a.. NE; oh | saw ny beautiful home,
and its flowers; ! heard the gay music
and laughter and, IKE a flash, 1t came
to me that Philip should he the one to
give Up all that, and not I.
Il realized, as by an inspiration, that
the goggles and a turned-up coat collar
would be ample disguise, and 1 thought
the crime would be attributed to an out
eide marauder.
"The rest you know. Philip recog-
is all"
Mr.. Maxwell fell back. and DR.. Shell
don. thinking the end had come, went
But Fleming Stone. the inexorable,
leaned forward and said distinctly to
MT. Maxwell: "Wait-did you refill the
Yes" said Mr.. Maxwell, with a sud-
den revival of strength, "yes, returned
tc the loom late that night. picked up
the ,inks'and' washed 1t, refilled it, and
up and replaced before leaving the room
the first time"
gazed at Dudley Maxwell wonder
ingly: And yet, for a man who could
live. the life he had lived, who coull
conduct himself as he had during the
rnst week It was net strange that he
was able thus. in the face of death,
calmly to relate these details Of his own
"One thing MORE" said Mr.. Stone.
did you scrape your foot around on
nsnt the bsa.icony al. to efface possible foot
.,"Yes: knew the dust was thick
there. there. and I wished to eliminate all
Here Mr., Maxwelrs strength seemed
Don't let Miranda know"wand then
ssnk into uncopsciousness.
said pr; Sheldon. II think his sister
mes ness; .na, BIT we shall all agree that
shaIi rSi cSil fnG% heps pf HduStaarsa h5S SfmeG
no one else moved to do so.
Yes. said pr; Sheldon, She will
ID
years that the end would come like
In Justice to the innocent Fleming
stone and ! went at once to INSPECTOR
pavis to ask that Gilbert Crane be re-
leased: The order for release was sent
Immediately. and at last We were free
to ask Fleming Stone q few questions
How did you do it?" cried Hunt, in
his abrupt way
How did YOU do it so soon?" cried
], no less curious.
~It was not difficult" said Fleming
Stone, in that direct way of his. which
was not oYermodest, but simply truth.
full. "Mr. Kings statement which was
the first one I heard. showed me that
although Mr.. Cranes alibi from IL
o'clock till half-past 10. depended
entirely upon his own uncorroborateG
word, yet Mr.. Maxwell's alibi was
equally without verificstion
Mr.. King saw Mr.. Maxwell in hi!
study at 10 o'clock. He was found ther,
again some time after 1880. This provel
nothing but the opportunity. Then al
the evidence regarding the coat, tn,
clues found in the library, and else
where, would apply to him, as we'll a!
to Crane. 1t remained, however. to finC
what motive, II any. could have i'm
PEELED Dudley Maxwell to the deed.
II had not talked with him ten min
utes before I concluded that he was
man with a secret. Miss Maxwell sup
piled a clue when she told men wha
she knew of Philips early history.
cln he lad Iatf