The Washington times., 1913-11-03
CHAPTER Xv.-(Continued.)

i
| NJ Its an ugly word,
| know" Yorke went on seri.
ously, land it suggests an uglier scan.
| dal, no matter how innocent the victim
may be. Think how very much more
sensible, Mr.. Blaisdell, it would be fol
Miss Kennedy to receive me quietly and
tell me all she knows Of this woman.
who was at one time part Of heI
household.
I'm that way she avoids all notoriety.
The police already know, of course, OF
the letter Of Recommendation from her
to this girl, and on her return, II the
| case is not finished, they will undoubt-
| edly question her perfunctorily. 1t ts
only the supposition that she Is reluc-
tant to answer which may precipitate
| unwelcome notoriety."
| He paused, but Mr.. Blaisdell remained
silent
"Now"-Yorke rose-''I am going to
ask you a very personal question: Be-
lieve me, 1t is not from mere curiosity.
What was the message you received at
the Lair which caused you to leave sc
| suddenly after announcing your inten-
ton to remain and assist with the In
vestigation Of the murder of Mrs. Van
Rensselaer,
Il
suddenly, but for the moment he held
himself well in hand.
1T was a private matter; has no In
terest 10 any one but myself"
"Will you think again, Mr.. Blaisdell
Your words as you turned from the
significant. Do you remember what
they were? You said: I must go! ]
am more than sorry that I cannot stay
and see you through, Robin. Don't {
1T ~ rrrF1 n
away like this. but am in terrible
trouble. I cannot explain. but I am
afraid a tregedy has come to me, too!
As great tragedy as yours Can you
assure me that your sudden trouble mad
no connection with Miss kennedy?
TT was a private matter" reaffirmed
Mr.. Blaisdell doggedly.
Then" cried Yorke, suddenly, his
voice leaping out, full-throated. will
you tell me where you drove General
road station at Ossining on Thursday
afternoon and took him away in your
Frederick Blaisdell leaped to- his feet,
his face purple. discretion flung to the
winds.
you lie!' he shouted, seizing his hat.
Il did not come here to be insulted and
bullyragged by cock-sure, self-opin-
ioned idiot!
Il thought you were a pretty clever
better be careful how you attempt to
drag an old and reputable family name
into q cock-and-bull fairy story to i'm
press the police and the newspapers. 1,
tell you / haven't seen the kennedys:
Wouldn't Won L % tell YOU Il I dds And You can
go straight to the deyil?
And he flung himself out Of the room.
slamming the door behind him more
like an angry schoolboy than budding
diplomat.
the sound Of the furious young mans
footsteps died away down the marble
hall outside.
Although he had not succeeded in eiic-
iting from his visitor the whereabouts
of the general and his niece. he had
scarcely expected to. and he had
learned much which proved to him that
he was on the right trail, at least.
His meditations were interrupted by
he had scarcely finished his simple meal
when there came timid ring at the
door.
williams answered 1t. and there en-
sued a sound which caused Yorke to
rise hastily. a new. intent look steeling
feminine voices.
Williams face was a study, as he an
nounced:
Mrs; Fro.hinsham Ashley Mrs. Ber-
aoh. Mr.. Yorker burst out Mrs.
GoodaIl. before he could speak. Il
wanted to tell you this morning. but |
wasn't quite sure what to do. l told
Madge about 1t later, and she made me
come straight to your
Wont you sit DOWN." he said gently,
indicating chairs.
Then when they We're seated: There /
Is something you wished to tell me. Mrs.
GoodaIl? Something you have kept
from me all along?"
Eyes. Oh, and l wish had told You
in the beginning, But how did you |
know" She gazed at him round-eyed.
Yorke smiled.
"From your manner. fancied you |
knew more of what was troubling Mrs. |
Van Rensselaer, than you would admit"
Lucille Goodall nodded.
"You asked me II l had spoken to |
Victoria about it. and told you I
hadn't but 1t wasn't true. Only the !
afternoon before her-her death, when |
she and were alone together on the
ing her and if I could help her. and
after protesting she finally said she had
to have some money, and she didn't |
want to go to Dysart for II, because she |
couldn't tell him what she wanted it
"Then 7 remembered / owed her a
bridge debt Of over 800. and insisted on
writing her a check for It. She caid
Robin would cash 1t for her."
And did he?" cried Yorke an in
:ense eagerness vibrating In his tones.
II don't know. Madge came out On
he veranda just then. and Victoria
slipper the check between the pages of
/ book lying on the table, and when
the rang for tea she asked the maid
he one who disappeared afterward, you
snow-to take 1t to her room for her.
Heavens That's off my mind now"
Can you tell me the name of the
,ook?"
Yes, 1t was one lent her-'The Tenn
,le of Desire. And that's all I know,
dr. Yorke. I didn't want to tell you at
irst. because II might sound discredit-
lble to a stranger-Victoria's not being
Ible to tell Dysart what she wanted the
money for, and all, but Madge con-
'inced me I must speak"
You know nothing of this, Mrs Ash
ey?' Yorke asked, turning to her
"had i KNOWN" she replied gravely
ooking him straight I'm the eyes, you
would have been told at once. 1t is too
erious and important a clue to have
'een suppressed for any emotional rea-
on"
4 am glad you succeeded in convinc-
ng Mrs. Goodall OF that fact" said
,orke, and now / am going to put you
aides into your motor and po az once