The Washington times., 1913-11-01

up against a blank wall in their search
for the missing witness-this servant
who disappeared just before Mrs. Van
Rensselaers body was discovered-they
will turn their attention to the search
for a possible motive.
They will, ! fear, descend upon you
as the only person on earth who would
bepe.t by the death of. your cousin,
and when they discover your absence
during the vital time and your ina
bility or unwillingness to establish an
altbi for yourself matters may go
badly with you, indeed"
Paul Hildreth set his jaw resolutely,
but his face paled.
unfortunate, butt cannot speak. You
must proceed with your Investigation
in your own manner, only 1 most ear
nestly entreat that you do not seek to
discover what l have been compelled
to decline to tell you. If you do. Mr.
Yorke. you will bring serious and un-
deserved trouble on totally innocent
person"
His voice trembled as he spoke. and
his tones took On a deeper quality, more
surcharged with emotion. "A person
who scarcely knew my cousin, who
knows nothing of the murder save the
bare fact that it was committed, and
who had absolutely no connection with
it, B., . .-. % .- =. ~ ...0 -.
''If that is so,'' Yorke objected, what
tarm can my knowledge of your where
abouts bring to this person.
An incalculable harmp' urged Paul
Hlldreth. Il cannot explain further
than to repeat that it is because of an
other. matter completely extraneous, to
the investigation you are conducting.
You must believe this. No one wishes
more fervently than that the murder
er Of Virginia Rensselaer, would be
brought to speedy justice. No one held
Ter in more affection than L.
ON I'm hnr all h. ffa NJ
dreth?'' "a.
She was a tiny child when r first
saw her, and she visited at our house
at short intervals after that time until
her marriage --
'iShe was born in or near Boston, was
she not?" -
No. s.
A shade of perplexed thought passed
over the other mans face. ---
Il was tiny boy at the time-fifteen
or thereabouts-and don't remember
exactly, but Mrs. Bigelew was not in
as robust condition as she should
have been-heart was weak, or some
thing-and her husband put substi-
tute clergyman in his pulpit for a few
months and took her UP in the noun
think. -
Anyway. it was here that Victoria
was born. ] remember that much be-
cause my mother was very much hurt
that Mrs. BigeloW, VINO was her niece,
You know-the daughter of her hus-
bands brother Cornelius-would not
come to her for the time of her -baby's
birth. But Cousin Mary wouldn't
even let her be with her when the
time came. and my mother took um-
bragg at that, and thought it was on
account of the money"
Paul Hildreth flushed slightly and
added: "It was the money you meant
when you spoke of a possible motive
just now. was it not, Mr.. Yorker
TT was. ] spoke frankly. Mr.. Hill
dreth. You will, L am afraid. find that
the authorities will be even more un-
compromising in their attitude. I wish.
for your own sake, that you could find
it within your judgment to establish
your alibi frankly with me.
''If it is, as you say, totally uncon-
nected with the murder of Mrs. Van
Rensselaer,, I need not tell you that
whatever disclosures you make to me
will be strictly confidential
Paul Hildreth shook his head slowly.
ct am sorry" he reiterated. Il can
not tell you. Mr.. Yorke. I am compell-
ed to remain silent
THAT is absolutely your last word on
the matter, Mr.. HildrethT'
Absolutely my last word"