The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1912-02-03

The House of the
Whispering
Pines

uttus
mo. She's not worse and she's not
dead. But the doctors say it will be
weeks before they can allow a ques-
ton OF any Importance 10 be put TO
her. You can see what that will do
for us. Her testimony is too impor-
tant TO the case 10 be ignored. A de-
lay will follow. which may or may not
be favorable TO you. am inclined TO
think now that II Will rebound 10 your
interests. You are ready 10 swear 10
the sleigh you speak of-that you saw
II leave the clubhouse grounds and
turn north%'
"Quite ready, but you must not ask
me 10 describe or In any way 10 iden-
tify its occupants. I saw nothing but
the hat and coat have told you
about. II was just before the moon
went under a cloud or l could not
have seen that much"
/ suppose my voice fell. for his
glance became suddenly penetrating
and his voice slightly sarcastic as he
remarked:
"Those clouds obscured more than
| ihc hVohs idh'S' Ohiy wish ih"b
they had not risen between you and
Inc. This is the blindest case that has
ever been put in my hands"
Tell me-" broke I'm. "of Carmels
condition. Of the sort OF nurse who
cares for her and how Arthur con-
ducts himself under this double az
fiction"
r,fnhk C1ff-
ford was in the house and received
me. She told me that Arthurs state
of mind was pitiful. He was never
very affectionate brother. you know.
but now they cannot get him away
from Carmel's door. He sits or stands
all day Just outside the threshold and
casts jealous and beseeching looks at
those who are allowed to enter"
Doesn't he grieve for Adelaide?
always thought that of the two she
had the greater influence over him"
eyes. but they cannot get him TO en-
ter the place where she lies. His duty
is TO the living. he says. At least his
anxiety is there. He starts at every
cry Carmel utters Of 'Lila-Liap Moth
ing morep'
Does e-Arthur-mentlon me at
all?"
arthur feels very hard toward you
and insists upon your guilt"
"Does the doctor-Dr. Carpenter.
presume-venture TO say how long Car
nel's present delirium will holdY'
''He cannot, not knowing its real
cause. Carmel fell Ill before the news
Of her sisters death arrived at the
house, you remember. Some frightful
scene must have occurred between the
two previous to Adelaide's departure
for the Whispering Pines. What that
scene was can only be told by Carmel
and for her account we must wait
Happily you have an alibi which viii
serve you in this instance. You were
at the station during the time we are
speaking Of"
HAS that been proved|
"Yes; several men saw you there"
"And the gentleman who brought
me the-her letter." 1t was more thar
difficult for me TO speak Carmers
name. "He has not come forwards"
Not yet; not to my knowledge. al
least"
"And the ring?
"No news
"The nurse-you have told me moth
ing about her." now urged. revertinl
to the topic of gravest interest TO me
us she any one we know or an impor
tation OF the doetor's?"
II did not busy myself with that
She's a competent woman. of course
suppose that is what you mean."
Could l tell him that this was no
what l meant at all-that 1t was hel
qualities as woman rather than hel
qualifications as nurse which were i'm
portant in this case? IL she were OF {
suspicious. prying disposition wha
might we not fear from her circum
spection when Carmels memory as
serted itself and she grew more pre-
else I'm the frenzy which now exhaust
ed itself in unintelligibe cries or thu
ceaseless repetition of her sister
name? passed the matter over will
the final remark:
Watch her. watch them all, ant
bring me each and every detail of tn
poor girls sickness. You will neve
regret humoring me in this. You or
dered the flowers for-Adelaide?"
"Yes; lilies. as you requested"
"There will be no autopsy. the paper
say; the evidence
of death by stran
gulation are TO
well defined"
!" !: ]. ! :" !: !: !:
AfSR2x> Every true. Yet
,VtS>SW wonder ut their Lax
S9AH NJ ity In this. Their
WINK NkNNS were signs OF som
81 I'M AAS other agency hay
NV ing been at wOr
{; ] =. !. +: :: =: ::
, 4 Nd also. Those tw
I IVA NJ empty glasses smell
, lin ing OF cordial-iu
. Viii nocent perhaps
10y yet
: ig2 Don't, can bea