Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-07-15
: The Problems Of Violet Strange-- ANNA Katherine Green

business. They say,
and we cannot but agree with them.
that no such struggle could take place
and no such repeated goings to and
fro through the house without some
vestige being left by which to con-
meet this crime with the daring perpe
traitor"
Sill she stared down at her hands
these little hands SO white and futter-
ing, so seemingly helpless under the
weight of their many rings, and yet so
slyly capable.
''She must have queer neighbors."
came at last from Miss Stranges reluc-
tent lips. Didn't they hear or see
anything of all this?"
She has no neighbors--that is, after
half-past o'clock. There's printing
establishment on one side Of her. q
deserted mansion on the other side, and
nothing but warehouses back and front.
There was no one to notice what took
place In her small dwelling after the
printing house was closed. She was
the most courageous or the most fool
ish of women to remain there as she
did But nothing except death could
bulge her. She was born in the room
where she died: was married in the one
where she worked: saw husband.
father. mother and FIVE sisters carried
out in turn to their graves through
the door with the fanlight over the
top-and these memories held her
You are trying to interest me in the
I.
NO. I'm not trying to interest you
in her only trying to explain her. There
was another reason for her remaining
where she did SO long after all residents
had left the block. She had a business"
OH
ladies'
she did? But you needn't look at
me like that She never embroidered
any for me-
some of it. Miss Strange. IL I could get
you into that house for ten minutes
not to see her. but to pick up the loose.
intangible thread which / am sure is
floating around in 1t somewhere
wouldn't you go?"
Violet slowly rosa movement
which he followed to the letter.
THE woman who was killed Tuesday
might have interested me greatly as an
embroldcrer." she said, but as a victim.
not at all. What do you see in me or
miss in me that you should drag me
into an atmosphere of low-down
crime?
Nothing, Miss Strange You are by
nature. as well as by breeding. very far
removed from everything of the kind
But you will allow me to suggest that
no crime is low down which makes i'm
peratiyc demand upon the intellect and
fntuitive sense Of its Investigator. Only
the most delicate touch can feel and
hold the thread I've just spoken Of. and
you nave the most delicate touch l
know"
DO not attempt to fatter me. ! have
no fancy for handling befouled spider
webs. Besides. II I had-if such elu-
sive flaments fascinated mellow
could !. well known in person and
name. enter upon such a scene without
prejudice TO our mutual compact?"
Miss Strange"-she had seated her
self, but so far he had failed to follow
her example tan ignoring Of the subtle
hint that her interest might yet be
caught, which seemed to annoy her a
tr!he)-"I should not even have sug-
gested such a possibility had not seen
a way of introducing you there with
out risk to your position or mine.
Among the boxes piled upon Mrs. Doo-
Titles table-boxes of finished work,
most of them addressed and ready for
deltyery-was one on which could be
seen the name of-shall I mention it
Not mine? You don't mean mine?
That would be too odd-too ridiculously
odd. I should not understand coinci-
dence OF that kind: no. l should not,
notwithstanding the fact that I have