Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-02-11

Is wrong-so that I can help you'll do
want you to be happy-and you-you look
as II you would never be happy again"
"Oh, hope so. Joan-when my health
is better You needn't worry about me,
dear"
"But I do worry about you-day and
night. Mother. dear. please tell me what
has happened. 1t isn't as II didn't know
something had happened. That odious
little man-ever since he has come here
He frightens you, can see it."
Joan. dear. please do not talk non
sense" said Lady Wimberley quietly. II
am ill-that is ALL"
The girl rose to her feet, as though her
mother had repulsed her. She walked to
her dressing table and fingered some of
the silver boxes and golden trinkets. Then
she turned and looked at her mother
but who is making you ill?" she said
| fiercely. This little brute? My father?
Who is 1t? 1 must know the truth. II
you cared for me at ALL you'd tell me-"
1T is because l love you so dearly,
Joan, that L intend TO keep all unhappi-
ness from your life."
Happiness? Do you think I can be
happy when 1 see you SO wretched?"
you are talking nonsense, Joan. Now
I think you had better go back to Eng
land before the end OF the week. I will
wire to Aunt Edith tomorrow morning.
And then"
There was a knock at the door and
Joan opened 1t. A maidservant said that
her mother was wanted at once. The
gendarmes had called and wished to see
her. They were now I'm her sitting room.
''The police?" queried Joan. What is
Il, Marie?"
Indeed / do not know my lady-lndeed
7 do not. The manager would not allow
them to come up at first. But YOU know
the way of the gendarmes. They are not
| to be kept out. They are there in my
lady's sitting room"
IT will go and see them at once" said
| Lady Wimberley. 81 dare say II is moth
ing. Tho police out here are very offi-
| cious"
sitting room. Two gendarmes. accom-
panied by a small man in a black suit
and tall hat, were standing by the
table. The small man bowed and re-
moved his hat
I'VE are sorry to trouble madame" he
| said, but there has been a fracas out
side the Casino and an English gentle
man has been killed. Madame has been
seen In the company of the gentleman
more than once, and we have come"
is it?" she inquired sharply.
"A NJ. Vertigan-so we think from
letters in his pocket, They know little
OF him at his hotel, and We wondered II
AA4aadAAie N1hA1 20 ahAc--
"Vertigan." she said in a low voice
"Mr. Yertigan deadP'
"Yes, madame" said the little man in
black. "and We thought perhaps that you
could tell us something about the gentle
man. We must send for his relations, Of
course. and they know so little OF him at
the hotel"
Lady Wimberley looked at the man for
a few seconds without speaking Then
she sWayed a little and put q hand on
the table 70 support herself The news
had come 70 her as a shock. The death
OF Vsrtigan meant so much that she
could hardly realize II IS yet But the
hrst thing that had flashed across her
mind was that only a few hours ago shs
had sent round a thousand pounds in
notes 70 Ysrtigan's hotel. and that IN all
probability the notes and the letter she
had inelosed with them were now In the
hands Of the police.
Madame Is III" said the little man In
black. 1T Il = terrible blow. I have no
doubt. Pour out madame glass OF wine.
jules. and then you two take yourselves
on downstairs and wait Tor ma"
One Of the gendarmss poured out some
port into a tumbleF ana sravely handed
Il 70 Lady Wimberlsy. She smiled as she
refused It and seated herself az tho table.
The gendarmes departed and she vas
alone with tne little man "a biaek.
che Was 3 sfeat friend e Foars VIA
cut doubt, lnaaaWel9