The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-03-24
CHAPTER XI.
Irene Tells the Truth

| possibilities SubStbteu, WHeu tdl
was heard at the library door. Mr.
Hunt admitted Miss Gardiner.
Sit down, Miss Gardiner" sale
Hunt. kindly. 81 wish to ask you
a few questions.
In your testimony, Miss Gar
diner" began Mr.. Hunt, "you de.
clared that you did not leave the
spot where you were sitting, or
the east end of the balcony, the
night of the murder, until you
came into the house, at about half.
past 10. Are you still prepared te
swear to this statement"
why should | not be, Mr.
Hunt?" said Irene, but her voice
trembled.
Mr.. Hunt continued:
| Were you near the library win
dow at any time during the even
ing-earlier, perhaps, than the
time you spent sitting alone on
the east side?"
No." said Irene. 81 was not
there at ALL"
| Then,' said Mr.. Hunt, sudden
~ producing the black spangles-
then may | ask, Miss Gardiner
how these CHANGED to be found In
the library, and on the library
window-shutter?"
Irene Gardiner gave a low cry
and, hiding her face in her hands
seemed in immediate danger OF
collapsing.
Miss Gardiner" said, "let me
advise you, as a friend, to tell your
story frankly and truthfully.
am sure it will be better for all
concerned.
Raising her head, Irene Gardi-
ner flashed a look at me full OF
faith and gratitude.
OH" she exclaimed, 81 would
be so glad to tell the truth,
swore to falsehood from a sense
OF duty to another"
1t is always mistaken sense
OF duty that leads to false swear.
ing" said Mr.. Hunt.
Il believe that is So" said Irene
earnestly, "but | had no one to ad.
wise me and | thought was DOING
right. The truth is, then, that
did go around to the west end OF
the balcony, and that did look in
at the library window"
What did you see in the Ii.
brary?" asked Mr.. Hunt.
Il saw Philip lying on the floor
and Mildred fallen to the floor
also. But she was partly hidden
by the desk"
rs that all you saw" asked
Mr.. Hunt, looking at her intently
Was there no one else in the
ROOM"
Yes" said Irene, | saw Mr.
Crane placing pistol in Mildred's
hand"
Wait" said I, was this occur.
ring Just as you arrived at the
Window"
YES"
"Then," l went on, "you cannot
swear that he was placing the
pistol In her hand. He might have
been attempting to take it ava,
from her."
Il never thought of that" said
Irene, an expression of relief
lighting up her face.
Even so,' said Mr.. Hunt, che
should have told of the incident in
his own testimony. What did you
do next, Miss Gardiner"
II went to the east side of tht
veranda. / was so Mortified b,
what | had seen that | flung my.
self into chair and cried. I was
still crying when, soon after, Mr.
Judson came. And l was still cry.
ing when Mr.. King came later to
tell me what had happened"
she was" | said, land CRYING
so violently that | was alarmed. >
Although Irene's evidence had
placed Gilbert in a doubtful posi-.
ton, | was for going straight tc
him, and asking him for the OK.
PLANTATION which | felt sure he
could give.
But Mr.. Hunt did not agree
with me.
No." he said, don't let us &c
ahead too rapidly. Let us formu.
late a definite proposition. ant
then see If We are warranted In
assuming 1t to be true one. II
the first place, whoever killed
Philip Maxwell must have had 6
strong personal motive for the
deed.
THE only man we know of wht
might have had an ill-feeling to
ward Philip Maxwell is Gilber
Crane. We know that an antag
onism existed between the tive
men on account of Miss Leslie.
You saw Gilbert Crane in tn,
billiard room at 10 o'clock. Nov
according to Cranes own state
ment he looked into Mr.. Max
wells study some 20 minute,
later.
with the exception of Mis-,
Gardiner on the balcony, tn,
guests were all in the music room
making a great deal of noise.
Miss Maxwell was in her owl
bedroom, and the servants wer,
busy in the kitchens, of which the
door were closed. AS nearly a.
l can find out, Gilbert Crane cam,
running down stairs for DR.. Shell
don few moments before 1920
IL you have followed my reason
ing, you will see that his where
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