The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-03-22

PARTNER.
N-~-~-~~-~~-~~~~~-~
II Continued from our isst issue.)
MISS GARDINER was dis.
/ lVI missed. and tho Earl Of
Clarendon was next called.
MIR. Billings asked tho witness To
tell what he could OF the tragedy,
Il can tell very little" tho earl
responded. that has not already
been told. But Just before the
dance during which Mr.. Crane
brought the news OF tho accident !
went onto tho yorandaA 10 smoke n
eigarct. and strollcd toward tho
back Of tho house"
con the same side 81 tho house
as the library. upnthlrsT''
Yes. tho same side. And while
there Clarendon continued. "a
motor car came swiftly up IA. drive
and went on round tho house"
did you notice the car especial
Il gave I, little thought. as II
might have been bringing or taking
guests. or might have had To do
With tho caterers or servants"
"Can you describe tho carr"
Tho | didn't SEQ II clearly. Il
cav. mo tho impression OF being
long aud low. and OF gray color.
Also II was rolng rapidly"
THAT would scarcely seem 10 In.
dictate the motor vehicle OF n
caterer"
Nor do say that u did."
you didn't notice It's occupants"
-No: nor could ! sec them dis
tinetly. fancy. however. there
zero three or four men In u"
After n fcw moro inquiries tho
earl was dismissed. and other wit.
neAsea followed. Mono Was import
ant. Tho Writings and other guests
who had been In IN, drawing rom
simply repeated what was already
known
Il There w~r~ now no moro wit
nesnes TO b. heard from save the
most important of all. Mildred les.
lie. She was very weak. and both
doctor and nurse we're In constant
attendance, Nor. than once she
seemed on the point o. faintinE. snd
her Testimony was 20 interrupted
that ! shall not attempt 10 give u
wholly In her own words
She said tina, nhe and Philip were
IN tho library together talking. and
upon close questioning admitted
that shc had again refused 20 marry
him. Hs had Just told her. shc
said. tina; during the pas, week ho
had learned something which would
mako her change that decision.
whom a men sarbod In motoring ap.
par.l stepped In nj tho French win
dow and pointed revolver at
Philip.
she and Philir. she explained
were both standing by tho desk
on tho hall slde-that r.. the deak
was between them and the window
Philip was facing tho window and
when he saw the Intruder no ierked
open tho top drawer OF the desk
and catching NJ his own pistol
pointed II nj tho intruder. saylnr
In low. moaning voice. 'oh. "a
think he would shoot me-"
Here the coroner asked her Il
she recognized tho intruder. She
said she could not because Of his
high collar turned M about his
face. HIS goggles and cap pulled far
over hls eyes. but that from Philips
words she believed that he did.
Mildred then went on 10 tell ri
her own fright. and explained ln
detail how she had picked up first
a heavy cut glass Ink stand from
tho desk and hurled II nj the man
This. she said. fell short. and abe
then caught up bronze horse
used a. a paper weight and threw
Il. hoping to strike down the arm
pointing the revolver at Philip. But
Il too fell harmless 20 tho rug. and
!. Just then the man fired.
Philip fell backward" whispered
the girl In conclusion. "and as he
fell his pistol dropped from his
: hand onto tho deak. l snatched II
up and aimed Mt the man myself
with that he turned his revolve,
on me. heard the report--and
that is ALL"
THAT IL all. Miss Leslie" re
peated Mr.. Billings. and Mildred
was allowed TO be taken back e
! her room.
. felt "a II must get away &c
think things over by myself
rushed out on the veranda, where
found a secluded corner.
What sort OF story had Mildred
told. and why?
For tho doctor had sworn she
was perfectly rational. and quite
capable OF describing tho affair.
Why. then. did she say she threw
an inkstand full OF ink and bronze
horse at tho Intruder. when l, who
had 80 carefully searched tho room
for clues. found no traces OF ink
And. moreover. especially remem
bered seeing that bronze horse on
the desk when first entered the
library after Gilbert Crane had