The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-03-22

lscuffle," said Mr.. Hunt, or II
may be that some one stood fol-
some time loking in at the library
window. A nervous person stand
ing there might move about in a
manner to leave just such traces. u
For some unaecountable rea-
son these remarks of Mr.. Hunts
seemed to disturb Gilbert Crane,
He turned pale and was about to
speak, then set his lips firmly,
and turned silently away.
There is one circumstance that
ought to be explained" l said.
| WATCHED Gilbert Crane closely
as | went on, tho addressing my
remarks to Mr.. Hunt.
Il found these bits of evidence
this morning" | said, taking my
notebook from my pocket.
Even before | opened my note
book, Crane showed signs of agi-
tation, which he tried vainly to
suppress. Still watching him COW
ertly, | produced the three black
spangles.
do you recognize them?" ]
said. turning suddenly to Crane.
Not" he declared, with such
emphasis that | doubted him.
But they can't possibly be of any
importance"
Perhaps not" returned, "but
| picked them up In the library,
and on the balcony, and one piece
| disengaged from the catch of the
library window shutter"
WELL" said Gilbert Crane, try
ing to speak naturally, and what
does that prove to your"
1T doesn't prove anything" !
said slowly, but It Is a peculiar
coincidence that they should be
found Just where the intruder OF
last night must have stood"
Meaning that it might have
been woman" said Hunt
quickly.
Possibly" returned. But
none of the ladies were on the up
per balcony last evening at
10 o'clock except Miss Gardiner.
and she declares that she was not
In the library or on the west bal
cony at all"
Hunt went away, and Crane
with him. | went round the house
and seeing the earl in the billiard
room, | went through the open
French window.
His lordship seemed disinclined
to talk, but by a little diplomacy
! succeeded in drawing him out on
the subject that absorbed us all.
We were still talking when
Irene Gardiner walked into the
room.
She was looking superb in a
dinner gown of. thin black ma
terial.
determined to ask her the
question that was burning in my
mind.
You rarely wear black, Miss
Gardiner" said, taking the risk
of being too personal, land II suits
you so we'll. Didn't you wear a
black spangled gown the night OF
the dancer"
NO. she said, but her voice
trembled. 81 wore a rose-colOred
gown, with no black trimming OF
any sort"
She turned to the earl. "It is
chilly. isn't it?" she said. THE
autumn will be an early one."
"Shall close the window? May
| get you a wrap" asked the
earl. solicitously; while l stood
by, ignored.
Here is wrap for Miss Gard
iner," said a low voice, and Nurse
Lathrop stepped in. She brought
light scarf. Il brought this
down." she said by way of ex-
PLANTATION, because | thought you
might need it,"
This sounded plausible, but !
had a dim suspicion that Miss
Lathrop might have been caves
dropping and made the scarf a
pretext. I fancy Miss Gardiner
, thought so, too, for she accepted
the wrap with cold THANK you"
and Immediately left the room.
How is your patient, Miss
Lathrop?" l asked.
Il cannot say she Is any better,
Mr.. King. 1t was cruel to make
her go through that ordeal this
afternoon. The reaction is very
great"
"Is she delirious?" asked the
earl.
"She is not delirious; but her
mind wanders. She tells many
things which, of course, 1t would
not be right for me to repeat. Still
IL | thought"
Certainly not" said the earl,
sternly. 81 advise you, nurse, not
to tangle things more deeply by
repeating Miss Leslie's irrespon-
sible remarks"
The nurse went away, and her
complacent air gave no sign of an
noyance; but l was sure, all the
same, that the earl's straightfor-
ward talk had at least stirred her
calm self-assurance.
CHAPTER VII.