The Yale expositor., 1914-04-09


There was a small sable stole about
her neck. The skirt was short, and
she wore high black shoes of the
thick walking type. Judging from
Burton's description she must have
been about your size and figure, Mrs.
Wrandall. Isn't that so, Mrs. Bur
TONI"
The innkeeper's wife spoke. Eyes,
Mr.. Harden, I'd say so myself. About
five feet six, I'd Judge; rather slim
and graceful like, in spite of the big
coat"
Mrs. Wrandall was watching the
woman's face. 81 am five feet six"
she said. as If answering a question.
The sheriff cleared his throat some
what needlessly.
Burton says she acted as If she
were a lady" he went on. mot the
kind that usually comes out here on
such expeditions, he admits She did
not speak to anyone, except once IN
very low tones to the man she was
with, and then she was standing by
The fireplace out in the main Office,
quite a distance from the desk She
went upstairs alone, and he gave some
orders to Burton before following her.
That was the last time Burton saw
her The waitress went up with spe-
cially prepared supper about half an
hour later"
1T seems quite clear, Mrs. Wran-
dali, that she robbed the man after
stabbing him." said the coroner.
Mrs. Wrandall started. Then she
was not lady, after ALL" she said
quickly. There was a note of relief
in her voice. 1t was as If she had
put aside a half-formed conclusion.
His pockets were empty. Not a
links, scarf pin, cigarette case, purse
and bill folder-all gone. Burton had
seen most of these articles in the
office"
Isn't it-but no! Why should l
be the one to offer a suggestion that
might be construed as a defense for
this woman"
You were about to suggest, madam,
that some one else might have taken
the valuables-is that it?" cried the
sheriff.
Had you thought of 1t, Mr.. Sheriff."
81 had not. 1t isn't reasonable. No
one about this place is suspected. We
murderess may have taken all Of
these things away with her in order
to prevent immediate Identification Of
her victim. She may have been clever
enough for that. 1t would give her a
start"
mot an unreasonable conclusion,
when you stop to consider Mr. Sher-
! if, that the man took the initiative in
that very particular" said Mrs. Wran-
dali in such a self-contained way that
the three men looked at her in won
| der. Then she came abruptly TO her
| feet. 1T is very late, gentlemen.
am ready to go upstairs, Mr.. Sheriff. "
Il must warn you, madam, that Mr..
Drake is reasonably certain that it is
your husband" said the coroner un-
comfortably. You may not be pre-
pared for the shock that"
Il shall not faint, Dr. Sheet. If 1t
is my husband / shall ask you to leave
me alone in the room with him for a
! little while" The final word trailed
out into a long, tremulous wall, show.
ing how near she was to the breaking
point in her wonderful effort at self
control. The men looked away hast.
! lily. They heard her draw two or
three deep, quavering breaths; they
could almost feel the tension that she
was exercising over herself.
The doctor turned after. a moment
and spoke very gently, but with pro
fessional firmness. You must not
think OF venturing out in this wretched
night, madam. 1t would be the worst
kind of folly. Surely you will be
guided by me--by your own common
sense. Mrs. Burton will be with
you"
Thank you, DR.. Sheet" she inter
posed calmly. IF what we all fear
should turn out to be the truth,
could not stay here. l could not
breathe. l could not live. IT, on the
other hand, Mr.. Drake is mistaken,
shall stay. But II it is my husband,
cannot remain under the same ROOF
with him, even though he be dead.
do not expect you to understand my
feelings. 1t would be asking toe
much of men-too much"
81 think l understand" murmureC
Drake.
Come" said the sheriff, arousins
himself with an effort
She moved swiftly after him. Drake
and the coroner, following Glow be
hind with Mrs. Burton, could noStakC
their eyes from the slender, graceful
figure. She was revelation to them
Feeling as they did that she was about
to be confronted by the most appalling
crisis imaginable, they could not bu
marvel at her composure. brakes
mind dwelt on the stories of the guillo
tine and the heroines who went up C
It in those bloody days without sc
much as a culver of dread. Somehow
to him, this woman was heroine.
They passed into the hall anS
mounted the stairs. At the far enc