The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-03-25
CHAPTER XII.
Fleming stones Discoveries.

CHAPTER XII.
Fleming Stones Discoveries.
The next morning Mr.. Hunt
came over and in the fateful Ii
brary he was introduced to Flem-
ing Stone.
Our discussion in the library
| did not last long, but 1t was ex-
ceedingly business like and to the
point.
Then In silence Stone scrutin-
lied the library. lie took the
waste paper basket from under
the desk and examined its con-
tents. 1t was empty save for a
few scraps of torn paper which
had thrown there myself the day
before, but | saw his action with
sudden shock of dismay.
Neither Hunt nor ! had thought
OF looking in the waste basket.
Where are the papers from
the waste baskets thrown"
II don't know, Mr.. Stone; but
the servants can tell you. Shall
call the maid who attends to
the cleaning of this ROOM"
Mr.. Hunt and | left the library
and | at once sent the maid to
Mr.. Stone. as he had requested.
Less than fifteen minutes later
| saw him coming up from the
cellar.
Seeing that | was alone he said:
Il found paper that is a most
important link in our chain. VIII
you look at it a moment?"
He drew from his pocket a pa
per which had evidently been
smoothed out after being much
crumpled, and turned down the
top of the sheet so that | did not
see the address. That is Mr.. Phil
ip Maxwells handwriting, is il
not?" he said.
YES" | replied, and in Phils
well-known characters | read:
AT last I have discovered the
truth. and it has broken my heart
Even now | could not believe it.
but your"
The writing stopped abruptly
and the letter had evidently been
thrown aside unfinished. re.
strained my intense curiosity, and
did not ask to see the name at the
head of the letter.
It was shortly before noon that
went for a walk with Irene Gar.
diner. Miss Gardiner and | walk.
ed down the path to the river. As
was inevitable, we talked only OF
the all-absorbing topic, and espe-
cially of Fleming Stone.
Isn't he wonderful" she ex-
claimed. HE is certainly the
ideal detective"
| quite agreed with her, but |
was suddenly conscious of an alb
, surd pang Of jealousy. was be-
, ginning to think that Irene Gar
diner was pretty nearly necessary
: to the happiness OF my life, and
this avowed interest of hers in an.
other man spurred me to a sudden
conclusion that | cared for heI
/. very much indeed. But this was
no time or place to tell her so.
We walked back, and somehow
: my heart sank when | saw Elem.
, ing Stone sitting alone on the
veranda. AS soon as | saw him
, felt conviction that he had &C.
} complished his work.
I've been waiting for YOU" he
said, as | went toward him. Irene
went into the house and MIR
Stone continued: II have dis.
covered everything, and l wan,
you to be prepared for sad rev.
citation.
} 1T is almost O'clock" he
: went on, land after luncheon
will tell you all. | have asked
MIR. Hunt to be present, and you
will both please meet me in the
library at o'clock"
: At last the meal was over, anC
went at once to the library, ant
awaited the others.
, Mr. Hunt came first.
Have you any idea of the dis
closure Mr.. Stone is about t.
make?" he said to me.
mo-" l said. II think I car
truthfully say I haven't"
/. HE has asked DR.. Sheldon tt
be here by half-past g" said Hunt
| Then Fleming Stone came into
the room.
Gentlemen" be said. II came
down here, as you know. an abso-
lutte stranger, and entirely unpre.
JUDGED. Mr.. Philip Maxwell was
Ishot by his uncle, Mr.. Alexander
! MAXWELL"