The Washington herald., 1912-06-09

4what can do for you. Lady
Mary?" he asked.
@Hou know mefg she exclaimed.
Il know most people" he answered,
dgly
"It is my profession" he admitted,
'but your brothers. case makes inter-
vention difficult, does it not"
"You mean-hshe began.
'Your brother himself does not deny
his guilt, l understand" Peter Ruff
said.
aHe has not denied il" she answered,
'but neither has he admitted it. Mr..
Ruff, you are such clever man. Can't
YOU see the truth?"
Peter Ruff looked at her steadily for
several moments.
Lady Mary" he said, Il can see
what you are going to suggest. You
are going on the assumption that Aus
ten Abbott twas shot by Lefty Shaw
and thai your brother is taking the
thing on his shoulders"
II am sure of i'll" she declared. The
girl did it herself, beyond a doubt
Brian would never have shot any one.
THE proVocation-" Ruff began.
There was no provocation," she in
terrupted. He was engaged TO the
girl, and of course we hated it, but she
was an honest little thing, and devoted
to him"
Doubtless" Ruff admitted. But all
the same she was having supper alone
with Austen Abbott that night at the
Milan"
IA, NF,-,. $50. 100000
"You see" Ruff continued, "the fact
that Miss Shaw was willing to sup with
Austen Abbott tete-a-tete renders II
more improbable that she should shoot
him in her sitting-room, an hour or so
later"
Lady Mary had lost some of her con-
fidence, but she was not daunted.
Even if We have been deceived n the
girl" she said, thoughtfully, there
might be a stronger motive than ever
for her wishing 70 get rid of Abbott:
He may have, become jealous and
threatened her
1T is, ,of course. possible" Ruff as
sented, politely Your theory would,
at any rate, account for your brothers
present attitude"
She looked at him steadily.
You believe, then" she said, that
my brother shot Austen Abbott !"
Il do" he admitted, frankly. SO
does every man or woman in London
of common sense to-day"
Then | may as well 60" she said,
tearfully.
Not at ALL" Peter Ruff declared.
Listen. This is a matter of business
with me. l say that on the facts as
they are known, your brothers guilt
appears indoubtable do not say that
there may not be other facts in the
background which alter the state of sf-I
fairs. If you wish me to search for
them, engage me, and l will do my
best"
You will do your best-more than
your best, won't your" she cried.
Il will do what can be DONE" Peter
Ruff promised. please sit down at
that desk and write me two letters of
ITO whom" she asked.
TO the solicitors who are defending
your brother" he said, and to Miss
Lefty Shaw"
You mean to go to see herr" Lady
Mary asked, doubtfully.
Naturally" Peter Ruff answered. |
"If your suppoSition is correct, she
might easily give herself away under !
a little subtle cross-examination. If |
she is innocent, l shall know that l J
have to make my effort in another di-
rection."
Its a hopeless case, of course"
Miss Brown remarked, after Lady
Mary had departed.
I'm afraid so" Peter Ruff answer
ed Still | must earn my money. |
Please get some one TO take you to sup !
per tonight at the Milan, and see if |
you can pick up any scandal"
About Letty?" she asked.
About either of them he answered. |
Particularly l should like to know if |
any explanation has cropped up of her |
supping alone with Austen Abbott"
Il don't see why you can't take me, |
yourself she remarked.
Il WILL" he answered, after a mo-
ment's hesitation. 81 will call for you
at II o'clock tonight"
He rose, and closed his desk empha-
7l5s You are going :out?" she asked.
Il am going to see Miss Lefty
Shaw"
He took a taxicab to the fats. The |
parlor maid who answered his sum-
mons was absolutely certain that Miss
Shaw would not see him. He persuad- |
ed her, after some difficulty, to take in
his letter while he waited in the hall. |
Whez she returned, she showed him
into a small. dining-room and pulled
down the blinds.
Miss Shaw will see you, sir, for a
few minutes" she announced, IN a sub
dued tone.
Peter Ruff was left alone for nearly !