The state herald., 1917-04-13
her task with an analytical mind. She

her task with an analytical mind. She
read in the morning paper that Frank
Mulry. the partner Of the late Rich
ard Freneau. had decided to incorpor-
ate the firm under the name Of Frank
Mulry, Inc. 1t made her angry to
think Of this businesslike haste. But
she realized that, after all. she knew
nothing of Mulry and that he must
know n great deal about her poor
Freneau. He was the first man to
visit. She was happy In this deter
mlnation. Her brother David dropped
in to say: "Lois and I had little mis-
understanding. but we have made up.
We're going to the country house for
new honeymoon. Come along. you
two, and have some skating and ski
ing and toboggan work."
Gloria shook her head. She had 9TH
er work to do. Her father urged her
to make the change Of scene. She
said she would think It over, but she
did not intend to 60. as she planned
to spend her wits on Frank Mulry. As
soon as she could get rid Of her father
and brother she ordered her own car
out for the long voyage downtown.
Frank Mulry was not at his office
when she arrived. He had been sum-
moned to Doctor Royce's office by tel
ephone. Thinking that Royce prob
ably wanted tip on the market, and
eager always for new customer,
Mulry lost no time In obeying the sum-
mons. He found Royce in a grim hu-
NOR and not at all polite.
"Mr. Mulry," Royce began, every
word as sharp as surgeons knife,
"you know more about Richard Fren-
eau's affairs than you would like to
tell in the open court. Miss Stafford
is suspicious Of everybody who ever
knew Freneau. imagine that she will
look you up. II is the wish Of her ia
ther and of myself that she shall
not find out what scoundrel the man
was. We want to spare her. at least
till she grows much stronger and time
has healed her wounds little. 1t Is
to your interest as much as ours to
keep her in the dark. You know how
those letters were mailed and those
kilograms sent. You know why
Freneau played that horrible trick on
the poor girl he was engaged to.
merely wish to warn you that II you
see Miss Gloria Stafford coming your
way. you get out Of her sight, no mat
ter how or when. II you don't you'll
be mixed up in a murder trial that
may prove disastrous to you and your
business"
Mulry's usual smile was twisted into
a look Of terror. He had more reasons
than even Royce suspected for wish
ing to keep the searchlights Of the
press and the police out Of his Office.
He was uncertain Of the manner Of
Freneau's death, but the published
hints Of suicide for financial reasons
had put Mulry into new financial diff
culties. He had used the money
Freneau had borrowed Of Gloria's IA
ther to save himself from a crush.
He was afraid that Stafford would de-
mand It bnck Mt any moment, and hs
could not face such demand.
Furthermore. his part In the writing
Of the letters and the sending Of them
md the kilograms from the various
cities wns one that he could not pleas
antiy explain. He could think Of 10
good lie to tell. and the last person -
earth he wanted to meet was Gloria
Stafford.
Fortunately for him, he was at
Royce's office when Gloria arrived at
his. She was received BY an imperti.
nent young stenogrnpher who seemed
unable to spare time from her gum
chewing and her appraisal Of Gloria's
looks and clothes to impart any use
full Information.
Gloria said she would like to leave
a note for Mr.. Mulry. The stenog.
raphcr pointed to table whereon lay
writing materials. Gloria sat down to
invite Mr.. Mulry to call upon her.
Now Lois Stafford had also IN i'm
portant errand ut this ONCE. Her
whole future and reputation lny In the
packet Of letters that Freneau had
promised to return to her. She waD
sure that they were not on his body.
for had they been found the newspa.