The Washington herald., 1912-06-09

| me lnal yOu nave my shiSSAS syn
pathy"
Peter Ruf's farewell words were TN
heard. Lefty had fallen forward in her
chair, her head buried in her hands.
Peter Ruff and Miss Brown supped at
the Milan that night Violet spoke to
few of her friends-introdueed Peter
Ruff here and there-but nothing was
said which could throw in any way even
the glimmerings Of new light upon the
tragedy.
I About twenty minutes before closing
time, the habitues of the place were
provided with something in the nature
of a sensation. A little party entered
who seemed altogether free from the
general air of gloom. Foremost among
them was very young and exceedingly
pretty girl, with light golden hair
waived in front of her forehead, deep
blue eyes, and the slight, airy figure OF
child. She was accompanied by an
other young woman, whose appearance
was a little too obvious to be prepos-
sessing. and three or four young men
boys about town. Miss Browns eyes
grew very wide open
What a little 6eastP she exclaimed
Who" Peter Ruff asked.
That pretty girl there" she an
swered-"Fluffy Dean, her name is. She
IS Lefty ShaW's protege, and Lefty
wouldn't have dreamed of allowing her
to come out with a crowd like that"
Peter Ruff was interested.
$50 that is Miss Fluffy Dean" he re-
marked, looking at her curiously. "She
seems a little excited"
She's a horrid little wretchT" Miss
Brown declared.
They were certainly becoming a little
boisterous. A magnum of champagne
was being opened. Fluffy Deans cheeks
were already huched, and her eyes gilt
tering.
Peter Ruff paid his bill.
Let US CO." he said.
In the taxicab, on their way back to
Miss Browns rooms, Ruff was unusual
ly silent, but just before he said good
night to her he asked a question.
Lefty Shaw was an Australian,
wasn't she" he asked
Quite true" Miss Brown answered.
You know the Offices of the P. & o.
line of steamers in Pail Mall? Get a
sailing list TO Australia-there should
be a boat going Thursday. Present
yourself as a prospective passenger. See
how many young women alone there
are going out, and ask their names"
She looked at him with parted lips
and wide open eyes.
do you think" she began.
He stepped back into the taxi.
Good night" he said. Telephone
or run round If you've anything to tell
me-"
The taxicab disappeared round the
corner of the street Miss Brown was
standing still upon the pavement with
the latch key in her hand.
1t was the afternoon before the in
quest on the body OF Austen Abbott,
and there were gathered together in
Lefty Shaw's parlor a curiously assort-
ed little group of people There was
Miss Shaw herself. and her mother;
Lady Mary and Sir William Trench
man, her solicitor: Peter Ruff and Vio-
let Brown-and Mr.. John Dory. The
eyes Of all OF them were fixed upon
Peter Ruff. who was the latest arrival
Lady Mary" he said, and Miss
Shaw, know that you are both anxious
for me to explain why ask you to meet
me here this afternoon, and why | also
requested my friend Mr.. Dory from
Scotland Yard, who has charge OF the
case against Capt. Sotherst, to be pres
ent will tell you"
Lady Marys eyes flashed with hope
Lefty Shaw leaned forward in her chair
with white, drawn face.
Let t be understood" Peter Ruff
said. that l am here solely as the agent
of Lady Mary Sotherst. My sole OBJ
ject is on her behalf. therefore, to dis
cover proof of the innocence of Capt
Sotherst
an France" he continued, there is
a somewhat curious custom, which, de-
spite a certain theatricality, yet has its
points. The scene Of a crime is visited,
and its events, so far as may be, recon-
structed. Let US suppose for a moment
that We are now engaged upon some
thing of the sort"
Lefty Shaw shrank back in her chair.
1T is too-awful she faltered.
Madam" Peter Ruff said, firmly, eve
seek the truth. Dory, will you go to the
front door, stand upon the nlat-so?
You are Capt. Sotherst-you have Just
entered. / am Austen Abbott You,
Miss Shaw, have just ordered me from
the room. You see. move toward the
door ! open it-so. Miss Shaw" he
added, turning swiftly toward her, "once
more will you assure me that every one
who was in the fiat that night, with the
exception of your domestic servant, IS
present now?"
yes" she murmured.
Good! Then who" he asked, sud-
denly pointing to a door on the left
who was in that room?"
They had all crowded after him to