The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-03-22
given tho niarmi
CHAPTER vi.
Tho Black SpAnoles

The Jury returned verdict OF
wilful murder against a person uti-
known: and concluded from this
that they had accepted Miidreds
story aa true.
II had only known sooner that
there was an intruder TO be looked
for, how much better n chance we
should have had OF finding him.
but there was no use crying
over spilled milk. 40 ! started at
once 20 look carefully Mt the We
randa pillars. There ! found my
self foreatalled.
Mr.. Hunt and Gilbert Crane were
already examining them.
what do you make OF those
marks on the balcony floor that
look as II made by ncuffling feetT
"They may be the marks OF
ncuffie." said Mr.. Hunt. "og II may
be that rome on. stood for some
time looking In nj tho library WIN
dow. A nervous person ntahdlhs
there might move about In a man
ner To leave just such traces.
For some unaccountable reason.
these remarks OF Mr.. Hunts seem
ed 20 disturb Gilbert Crane lie
turned pale and was about 70
speak. then set his lips firmly. and
turned silently away.
There is one Circumstance that
ought 20 be explained" I said.
/ watched Gilbert closely as !
went ON. tho addressing my re-
marks 10 Mr.. Hunt
Il found these bits OF evidence
this morning." said. taking my
notebook from my pocket
Even before l opened my note.
book, Crane showed nigns OF AL.
tatIon. which he tried vainly TO
suppress, SIN watching him GOV
crtiy, produced tho three black
epscgiss.
, DO you recognize them !
said. turning suddenly 10 Crane.
"No'' he declared. with such
emphasis that doubted him. hut
they can't possibly be OF any i'm
portance
Perhaps not returned. but ]
picked them up IA the library. aud
on the balcony. and one piece ]
dlsengagcd from the catch OF the
library window shutter"
Well" said Gilbert Crane, try.
inK 20 speak naturally. and what
does that prove 20 YOU"
III doesn't PROV. anything" I
said slowly. "but II n a peculiar
coincidence that they should b.
found Just where the Intruder OF
last night must have stood"
Meaning that II might have
been q womRnr" faid Hunt. quickly.
Possibly" returned. but none
Of tho ladies' wer. on tho upper bal.
eony last evening at 10 O'Clock ct.
cept Miss Gardiner. and she de-
Eelarrs that she was not in tho
library or on tho west balcony ut
ALL
Hunt won, away. and Crane with
him. went round tho house. and
seeing the earl In tho billiard room.
] went in thru tho open French win
dow.
His icrdship seemed disincisned 70
talk. but by = little diplomacy ] ruo-
eceied In drawing him out on the
subject that absorbed us all.
We were siill talking when Irene
Gardiner walked into tho room.
She was looking superb In a din
ner gown ~ n thin black material.
| determined 10 ask her tho ques-
ton that was burning In my mind
You rarely wear black. Miss
Gardiner" said. taking the riAk Of
4 a. ~ a.
you no we'll Didn't you wear n
black spanEicd gown tho night o.,
the darcc7"
NO" she said. but her voice
tremhled. Il wore n roae-colored
gown. with no black trimming OF
any sort"
She turned n tho carl. II, n
chilly, isn't itT" abe said. The
autumn will bo an early one
shall close tho Window May
/ I get you a wrap" asked tho earl.
solieltOusly. while ] stood by. ig-
n0rcd.
"Herc is wrap for Miss Gardl.
ner." said low voice. and Nurse
I.athrop stepped I'm. She brought a
| light scarf. II brought this down"
she said. by way OF explanation.
because thought you might
need f."
This sounded plausible. but had
n dim suspicion that Miss Lathrop
might have been eavcsdropping.
and made tho scarf n pretcxt. I
fancy Miss Gardiner thought So
too, for she accepted tho wrap with
cold Thank you" and Immediate
iy left tho room.
How Is your patient. Miss
Lathrop7" I asked.
II cannot say she r. any better.
Mr.. King. II was cruel TO make her
Fo thru that ordeal this afternoon
Tho reaction Is very great"
as she delirious7" asked the earl.
"She is not deiirious: but her
mind wanders. She tells many
things which. OF course. IL would
not be right for me TO repeat. Still
II thought"
Certainly not" said tho earl.
sternly. II advise you. nurse. not
To tangle things more deeply by
repeating Miss Leslie's irresponSl.
! BILE remarks"
The nurse went away. and her
complacent air gave no sign OF an.
noyance: but I was sure. all tue
Same. that tho eari's straightfor.
ward talk had at least stirred her
calm self.assurance.
1uIn VlIlvI