The Washington times., 1913-11-10


dering on frenzy
There was arduous work ahead of
him, but it was routine work. Al
though he was as far from a knowl-
edge of the culprlt's identity as he had
been in Susan Finleys trim abode, he
felt that the man was already in the
hollow Of his hand.
Nay more. He felt that a few hours
calm reflection would enable him to
identify the man fully in his own mind,
for he had had a shock, too, other than
Susan F1nley's corroboration of his in
Spiration.
When he had looked again with her.
at the pictured face of the man on
the church steps sense of realization
swept over him that he too recognized
the man; that he too had seen him in
the nesh Where or when he could not
in the excitement of the moment re-
member.
He ran over in his mind everyone
even remotely connected with the case
but could come TO no satisfactory con-
clusion on that score. And even could
he recognize the man he must have
proof of his connection with the crime
at the Lair before he could accuse
him directly of murder
OF one thing he was certain-victoria
Van Rensselaer, could have no per
sonal connection with the man: the Sc
cret Of his hold over her family went
further back than her gfrlhood. She
had been too young at the time of his
first disastrous visit to her home to
have known him previously. He must
possess himself first of all of the nature
Of thar secret
Susan Finley had been unable to give
him any further information, but he
had obtained from her the address of
the nurse who had married and lived in
Chelsea. The cook he had not been able
TO locate. but he hoped that the nurse
might let fall word which would be
gTist to his mill.
He had expected So little from Susan
and she had proved of such inestim-
able Naluei He was convinced that the
woman had been absolutely telling the
Truth as far as she knew it; that she
had been perfectly sincere in her state
ments to him.
And yet, one curious if unimportant
inaccuracy had been apparent to him
In her account, one discrepancy between
her story and that of the family Of Vic
toria Van Rensselaer,, which he meant
TO look into without delay. Added to
that one simple phrase she had used
had set him thinking in a new channel,
had opened up field of conjecture SO
wild and improbable that he had thrust
it from him IN impatience. yet it had
left traces which, try as he might, he
could not entirely obliterate.
II was midafternoon when he found
the neat, little, brick house. the address
Of which Susan had given him, and
rang the bell
a trim little girl of about ten, with
tidily arranged hair and clean pima
fore opened the door and stood de-
mureIy before him.
Isl should like to speak to Mrs
BrowneIl, please" he said, smiling.
Step inside. please, sir. I'll tell
mother"
He entered the narrow. freshly scrub
bed hall The little maid closed the
door carefully behind him and hustled
off importantly down the hall.
Almost at once, a stout, middle-aged,
sweet-faced woman came in. She was
smiling. but as she looked him over and
took IN his attire, her face fell slightly
oh! did you want room?" she
said. I'm sorry, but 1 don't think
you'd care for it with US. It's clean
sir, and respectable. but you're gen.
ueman. and the-the people who board
here with US are chauffeurs and visit
ing Wallets. and-you understand. sir?"
Quite. Mrs. Brownell-" Eorke's smile
was one of quick approval I've no
doubt j should find your house nice
enough for any one. but I've not come
TO inquire for board. I've come from a
relative Of DIR. Bigelow's: from Mr.. Dy-
sart Van Rensselaer,. in fact, and he
wants some help from you. He wants
you to tell me some things about the
Bigelows. when you were in service
with them. You See. I'm helping him In
his attempt to find the cause OF the
murder of his wife"
I "Oh. sir. don't speak Of that TO me.
please! Think of il, the baby l nursed
In my arms, like my own little Katie