The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-03-25
(COntinued from our last issue.)
l grasped Cranes hand heart

(C0ntinued from our last issue. }
grasped Cranes hand heart
tly. and said:
II am sure of IL! admit,
and you, must admit yourself,
thet the circumstantial evidence
against you is pretty bad"
That's Just the point" said
gilbert. Here am /, arrested
fer the murder of man VINO
was one of my best friends.
didn't murder him, and vet cir
oumstances are such that | can
not prove did not"
'Sinee we are speaking frank
IT," l said. will you tell me II
you touched the pistol that Miss
Lasiie heidi"
Gilbert looked at me gravely
Il will" he said. when | saw
the bodies, | thought that Philip
was dead. but that Miss Leslie
was still alive. l went nearer to
look, and on an impulse | started
TO take the pistol from her hand.
But | at once realized that II
would be better to call DR.. Shell
don before I touched anything,
and | did So"
"You didn't pause to pick up
the bronze horse?" | asked.
Certainly not" was the sur
prised reply.
"That horse and inkstand play
10 a most mysterious part in the
matter. But there must be some
explanation for them, and we
must find It,"
at will be made clear" said
Gilbert, IF you do what | ask
II am more than willing to dc
your bidding" / said.
"Then send for Fleming Stone
He Is a New York detective, and
tho I do not know him person.
ally, | know he can unravel this
tangle."
Glad that he cound view the
situation In this che orful manner
went away, prepared to go al
once on Gilbert's errand.
Miss Maxwell agreed to m,
proposal to burden her HON,
with another visitor, but Mr.
Maxwell did not seem quit,
pleased.
He expressed himself as think
ing II wise to let well enough
alone, but as he made no definite
protest against my going, | wen
to New York that very day il
search of Fleming Stone.
found him, and induced hin
to return to Hamilton with M
In the interest of Gilbert Crane
On the way down. at his re
quest, | told him everything
knew about the Maxwell mystery
After had told him every detail
OF the story. he changed the sub
ject courteously, but very decid
eddy, and talked of other mat
ters.
When We reached Maxwell
Chimneys 1t was nearly Dime
time.
At the dinner table Mr.. Ston
gave no hint of his profession
either In manner or appearance
He was simply a well-bred, well
dressed gentleman, with IRE
proachable manners and a talen
for interesting conversation.
After dinner there was music
Tho quite content to leave mat
tiers In his hands, | couldn't he'll
wondering when Mr.. >Stone in
tended to begin his detectiv,
work. But almost as IL In an
answer to my thought, Mr.. Ston
remarked that IL 1t met with tn,
approval of them all, he woul,
ask for a short but absolute pri
vate Interview with each one.
Il assume there are no secret
among u.s." he said. in his win
ming way. land as | understan,
the situation, | think We are al
earnestly enxious to discover tn
person who took the life of Phil
Up Maxwell"
This was said gravely, almos
solemnly, and for a moment n
one spoke.
Then Miss Maxwell said in he
gentle voice, 81 trust | am no
too revengeful In spirit. but
own | would be glad to see tn
slayer of my boy brought to jus
tice."
Fleming Stone seemed to con
slider this an authority to pro
coed. Asking Miss Maxwell to g,
with him to the study, he escort
cd her from the room with an al
OF courtly grace that sat wei
upon him.
After not more than ten min
utes, Mr.. Stone brought her back
and asked that he might mex
have a few words with Mr.. Max
we'll.
When Mr.. Maxwell's short in