Evening star., 1912-04-03


Mr. Crawford turned the picture over
oh she didn't send this picture to JO-
seph. She sent it to my wife last Christ
mas. took it over to show it to Joseph
out thinking much about it. He probably
laid it in his desk without thinking much
about 1t, either. No. no. Burroughs.
there is no romance there. and you can't
| connect Mrs Patton with any of your de-
tective Investigations.
Il rather thought that Mr.. Crawford
for this is evidently sweet, simple-mind-
ed lady, and. moreover, nothing has turn
ed up TO indicate that Mr.. Crawford had
a romantic interest of any kind"
know myself. No: whoever killed my
brother was man: some villain who had
a motive that know nothing about"
But You were intimately acquainted
with your brothers affairs?"
Yes, that IS what proves to me that
whoever this assassin was. it was some
one OF whose motive l know nothing. The
fact that my brother was murdered
proves to me that my brother had an
enemy. but had never suspected it be-
fore
DO you know Mrs. Egerton Purvs?'
1 flung the question at him, suddenly
hoping to catch him unawares. But he
only looked at me with the blank express
sion OF one who hears name for the
first time.
NO" he answered, Il never heard of
her. Who is she?'
We'll. when l was hunting through
that goldmesh bag 1 discovered lady's
visiting card with that name on it. 1t
had slipped between the Innings and so
had not been noticed before"
To my surprise this piece Of informa-
tion seemed to annoy Mr.. Crawford
greatly.
Then some one has put it there. for 1
looked over all the bags contents my
self
1T was between the pocket and the
lining" said !; lit is there still. for as |
felt sure no one else would discover it.
left it there. Mr.. Goodrich has the bag
oh, l don't want to see it, he eX-
claimed. angrly. And | tell you. any
way. Mr.. Burroughs. that bag is worth
less as a clue. Take my advice and pay
no further attention to 1T
| couldn't understand Mr. Crawford s
decided attitude against the bag as a clue
but 1 dropped the subject. for I didn't
wish to tell him / had made plans to
trace up that visiting card.
ut is difficult to find anything that is
a real clue" said
'Yes. indeed. The whole affair is mys-
terious, and. for my part, I cannot form
even conjecture as to who the villain
might have been. He certainly left no
trace"
Where is the revolver" said, pictur-
ing the scene in imagination.
Philip Crawford started, as If caught
unawares.
How do / know he cried. almost
angrily. II tell you have no suspicious
l wish I had! / desire above all things
to bring my brothers murderer to Justice
But don't know where to look. If the
weapon were not missing should think
II a suicide
The doctor declares it could not have
been suicide. even IL the weapon had been
found near him: This they learned from
the position OF his arms and head
Yes. yes: / know it. It was. without
doubt. murder: But who-who would
have motive?'
They say 7 observed. motives for
murder are usually love. revenge or
money
There is no question Of love or re-
venge in this instance. And as for money,
as l am the one who has profited finan-
ciaily. suspicion should rest on me-
"Absurd!'' l said.
:'Yes, it is absurd he went on "for
had desired Joseph's fortune. need not
; have killed him to acquire il. He told
me the day before he died that he in
| me his heir unless she broke with that
secretary of his. / tried TO dissuade him
from this step. for We are not merce-
nary lot, We Crawfords and l thought
, had made him reconsider his decision.
Now as 1t turns out. he persisted in Hs
resolve, and was only prevented from
carrying il out by this midnight assassin.
We must find that villain. Mr. Burroughs,
Do not consider expense: do anything you
can to track him down."
"Then. Mr.. Crawford said I. '.if YOU
! do not mind the outlay. I advise that we
send for Fleming Stone. He is q de-
I tectiye of extraordinary powers and