Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-07-29

and after that the immense table occu-
plying the center of the room-a table
rs much desk as table, gave more
promise of holding the solution Of the
mystery than anything to which she had
hitherto given her attention.
The quarter in which she now stood
was the most beautiful and, possibly. the
most precious Of them all. In 1t blazed
the fve great windows which were the
glory of the room; but there are no hid
ing places in windows. and much as she
reveled in color. she dared not waste a
moment on them. With a sigh she turned
toward the table.
This was an immense affair. made TO
accommodate itself to the shape Of the
room, but with hollowed-out space on
the window side large enough to hold a
chair for the sitter who would use its
cles suitable TO it's double use. Without
being crowded. 1t displayed a pile of
magazines and pamphlets. boxes for sta :
fionery. writing pad with its accom-
ments. among which was a large box.
richly inlaid with pearl and ivory, the
LID OF which stood wide open
Don't touch admonished vlotst. aa
Hetty stretched out her hand to move
some little object aside. You have al
ready worked here busily In the search
you made this morning."
We handled everything"
Did you go through these pamphlets 80
We shook open each one We were
especially particular here. since 1t was
at this table ] saw Mrs. Quintard stop -
With head Lowell or drooped?'
Dropped
Like one looking down. rather than up
around?'
Yes. A ray of moonlight shone on
her sleeve. II seemed 10 me the sleeve
moved as though she were reaching out -
viii you try to stand as she did and
as nearly in the same place as possible 90
Hetty glanced down at the table edge
ana paused with her head sinking slowly
toward her breast
Let me come Eaid Violet
Hetty moved. and Violet took her place
nut In spot step or two farther front
rms brought her very near to the cen
ter Of the table. Hanging her head. Jus,
as Hetty had done. she reached out her
hand.
Have you looked under this bIott or ,.'
sne asked. pointing toward the pad she
,,oacheo: mean the blotter and this
I certainly did" answered Hetty. with
some pride
Violet remained staring down.
Then you took off everything that
was lying on IT,
"Oh. yes
Violet continued to stare down at the
blotter. Then impetuously
Put them back in their accustomed
Hetty obeyed
Violet continued to look at them. then
slowly stretched out her hand, but soon
let II fail again with an air OF discour.
asement. Certainly the missing docu.
ment was not in the ink pot or the
muciiase bottle. Yet something made
her stop again over the pad and subject
IL 70 the closest scrutiny.
II only nothing had been touched. !"
sne inwardly sighed. But she. let no sign
OF her discomfort escape her lips, sim.
ply exclaiming as she glanced up at the
lowering space overhead: '-rhe books
the books! Nothing remains but 70!
you to call up all tho servants, or Gel
men from the outside and. besinnfna
at ono end should say the upper one
take down every book standing with
in the reach Of woman Of Mrs. Quin
tard's height"
Hear nrst what Mrs. Quintard has &c
say about that" Interrupted tho WON
an. as that lady entered In q duttsl
OF emotion. springing from more thar
one cause.
The young lady thinks that we should
remove the books" Hetty observed.
'Cseless. II We ware to undertake tc
do that. Carlos would be here before
half the Job is finished. Besides, Hetty
must have told you my extreme aver