Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-11-23
CONTINUED FROM LAST SUNDAY

sumably he had but having more experience
than myself with the susceptibility of ignorant
persons In the presence Of danger and distress
he attached less Importance to II than ! did
for which ! was secretly glad without exactly
knowing my reasons for being so.
You will be wanted as witness by the
Coroner's jury" he remarked to her. looking
as II he were addressing the piece Of china he
was turning over in his hand. Now. no non
sense" he protested, as she commenced to
tremble and plead. You were the first to
see this dead woman and you must be on hand
to say So As | cannot tell you when the In
quest will be held you had better stay around
till the Coroner comes. He'll soon be here.
You. and this other woman, too
BY other woman he meant me, Miss Butter
worth. of Colonial ancestry and inconslder-
able Importance In the social world. But
though did not relish this careless association
of myself with this poor scrubwoman, | was
careful to show displessure, for l reasoned
that as witnesses We We're equal before the law,
and that 1t was solely in this light he regarded
us.
There WAS something In the manner OF both
these gentlemen which convinced me that while
my presence was considered desirable in the
house. 1t was not especially wanted In the room.
] WAS therefore moving reluctantly away when
felt slight but peremptory touch the arm,
and turning, saw the detective at my side, still
studying his piece Of china.
He was, as l have said, of portly build and
benevolent aspect: a fatherly-look man. and
not at all the person one would be likely to as.
eocate with the police. Yet he could take the
leac very naturally. and when he spoke, / felt
bound to answer him.
WI you be so good, madam, as to relate
over again, what you saw from your window
last night? ] am likely to have charge of this
matter, and would be pleased to hear all you
may have to say concerning It,"
MY name is Butterworth," l politely inti-
mated.
And my name is Gryce"
"A detective?"
The same"
You must think this matter very serious?"
ventured.
Death by violence is always serious"
You must regard this death as something
more than accident, l mean"
His smile seemed TO say: "You will not know
today how ] regard It,
And you will not know to-day what think
Of 1t either" was my inward rejonder but /
said nothing aloud for the man was seventy
1--WE If he was day. and / have been taught
respect for age, and have practised the same
Tor fifty years and more.
] must have shown what was passing in nv
mind, and he must have seen II reflected on the
polished surface Of the porcelain he was con
temp!ating, for his lips showed the shadow of
a smile sufficiently sarcastic for me to see that
ne was far from being as easy-natured as his
countenance indicated
Come come" said he. there is the Coroner
now. Say what you have to say, like the
straightforward, honest woman you appear"
uon Ike compliments | snapped out. In
deed. they have always been obnoxious TO me.
AS II there was any merit in being honest and
straightforward. or any distinction in being
told so
Il am Miss Butterworth and not In the
habit Of being spoken to as II | were a smple
countrywoman, | objected. But | will re-
peat what saw last night, as 1t is no secret.
and the telling Of 1t won't hurt me and may
help you"
Accordingly went over the whole story. and
" r octo a
10 be. his manner was so insinuating and his
inquiries so pertinent But one topic we both
failed to breach, and that was the peculiar
manner of the scrub-woman. Perhaps 1t had
not struck him as peculiar, and perhaps it
should not have struck me so, but in the silence
which was preserved on the subject | felt |
had acquired an advantage over him, which
might lead to consequences of no small i'm
portance. Would l have felt thus or con
graduated myself quite much upon my
fancied superiority II | had known he was the
man who managed the Leavenworth case and
who in his early years had experienced that
very wonderful adventure on the staircase OF
the Hearts Delight? Perhaps | would; for
though | have had no adventures | feel cana.
BILE of them, and as for any peculiar acumen
he may have shown in his long and eventful
career. why that is quality which others
may share with him, as l hope TO be able "a
prove before finishing these pages.
:. CHAPTER Ill.,
Amelia Discovers Herself
THERE is a small room at the extremity OF
the Van Burnam mansion. In this took
refuge after my interview with Mr. Gryce As
picked out the chair which best suited me and
settled myself for a comfortable communion
with my own thoughts, l was astonished to
find how much was enjoying myself. notwith-
standing the thousand and one duties awaiting
me on the other side OF the party.wall
Even this very solitude was welcome, for II
gave me an opportunity TO consider matters. l
mad not known up to this very hour that ! had
any special gifts. My father who was a
Ehrewd man of the old New England type said
more times than years old (which was
not saying It az often some may think that
Araminta (the name was christened by, and
the name you will nnd in the Bible record
though ] sign myself Amelia, and insist upon
being addressed as Amelia, being, as | hope
sensible woman and not the piece OF anti.
crstrd sentirentslity suggested by the former
eognomen)-that Aramints would live to make
..- q. .Aougn IN wnat capacity he never
informed me- being, as | have observed a
shTewd man, and thus not likely TO thought.
lessly commit himself
! now know he right: my pretenslons
dating from the moment found that this af.
fair, at first glance so simple and at the next
so complicated, had aroused In me fever OF
Investigation which reasoning could allay
Though l had other and more personal mat.
terp mind, thoughts would