The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-03-25
CHAPTER XII.
Fleming stones Discoveries

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The ney, morning Mr.. Hunt came
over and In tbs fatrfui library he
vas introduced to Fleming stons.
Our discussion In tho library did
not last long. but II was exceed.
ingiy business like and TO the point
Then In silence Stone scritinired
tho library. Ito took tho waste
paper basket from under the desk
and examined It's contents. II was
empty save for . few scraps Of torn
paper which I had thrown there
myself the day before. but saw his
action with . sudden shock Of dis
may.
Neither Hunt nor I had thought
Of looking Ia the waste basket
-where are tho papers from the
waste baskets thrown
Il don't know. Mr.. Stone: but the
servants can tell you. Shall ] call
the maid who attends 70 the clean
ing Of this room
Mr.. Hunt and ieft ths library.
and I Of once sent the maid 70 Nj.
Stone. - he had requested
Less than flfteen minutes later
saw him coming mp from the csllar.
Seeing that vas alone b said:
= found q paper that 10 . most
important link 10 our chain VIII
you look at Il . momentf~
He drvw from his pocket . paper
which had evidently been smoothed
out after being much crumplcd. and
turned down the top Of tho sheet 90
that I did not ses tho address THAT
II Mr.. Philip MAxwcii's handwriting
10 II noss" he said.
YEA" ! replied. and IN Pills
well.known Character read:
AZ last Z have discovered the truth
and II has broken my heart Even
now could not believe IL but
your
The writing stopped abruptly and
the letter had evidently been thrown
aside unfinished. I restrained my
intense curiosity. and did not ask "a
sec tho name NJ tho head OF the
letter.
II WAS shortly before noon that
went for a walk with Irene Gardl
ner. Miss Gardiner and I walked
down the path 20 the river. A. was
inevitable, we talked only of tho all
absorbing topic. and especially OF
Fleming Stone.
isn't he wonf@rfuie- she ex
claimed. He 10 certainly tho ideal
detective"
quite agreed with her. but I was
suddenly conscious OF an absurd
pang OF jealousy. ! WAS beginning
to think that Irene Gardiner was
pretty nearly necessary TO the hap
pincss OF my life. and this avowed
interest OF hers IN another man
spurred me TO a sudden conclusion
that I cared for her very much IN.
deed. But this was no time or place
To tell her 10.
We walked back. and somehow
my heart sank when I saw Fleming
Stone sitting alone on the vcranda,
As soon as I saw him felt a con.
viction that no had accomplished
his work.
Two been waiting for you" he
said, as I went toward him. Irene
wont into tho house and Mr.. Stone
continued: IL have discovered
everything. and I want you to be
prepared for q sad revelation.
1T is almost I O'clock" he won,
on. and after luncheon I will tel
you all. I have asked Mr.. Hunt &c
be present. and you win both
please meet mo In the library at
o'clock"
At last tho meal was over. and
went Mt once TO the library, and
awaited the others.
Mr.. Hunt came first
Have you any idea OF the dis
closure Mr.. Stone 10 about e
make?" he said to mo.
NO" said. IT think I can truth
fully say I haven't"
''He has asked DIR. Sheldon to b.
here by half-past g." said Hunt
Then Fleming Stone came Int
the room.
Gentlemen" he said. IT came
down here. al you know. an abso
lutte stranger. and entirely unpreju
diced. Mr.. Philip Maxwell wa,
shot by his uncle, Mr.. Alexander
MAXWELL"
There was nothing to bs said.
But in the confused mass OF sud
den thoughts that sufeed thru my
brain. | seemed to sec clearly moth
Ing but Miss Miranda's placid face
and I cried out. Involuntary:
Don't let his sister know"
1T ia terrible. know" said
Fleming Stone. and quite appre.
ciate the shock II must be to you
But Justice demands that we pro
coed.
II think can best prove 20 you
this conclusion is tho true one by
asking you to 30 with me while