The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1917-09-21
SIT HE MOSS MYSTERY
ave Copyright s. Newspaper

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floor. Janet on the stairs between
the second aud third floors. and
Marybelle In her bedroom on the
second floor porhape ut that very
moment the victim OF foul play.
The fact that three people were
awake and stirring made u difficult
TO see how mn intruder could have
zone about this daHtardly deed. But
II was already impossible 10 see
how the deed could have been done.
and the story OF Janets vigil on the
stairs added but trlfle 10 the mya-
terry.
Let MS no 10 Marybelle's room
and think Il over" | proposed. and
We did so.
Now" said I. ''let us three peo-
pie be absolutely frank aud honest.
and say what we really think"
u shall be glad to-" Herringdean
burst out, rive tried 20 keep II
back. but I'd like 10 put on record
that | believe Marybelle's death
was In some mysterious fashion
brought abou, by MIR. and Mrs. Yves
ley. or both"
Janet looked nj him In horror.
Her great black eyes seemed TO ae.
cuae him OF wlckednesn almost
equal TO the crime itself She was
about 20 speak. but | interrupted
why. and how"
WHY To get possession OF the
fortune coming 10 them nj her
death. They knew her marriage 10
me would doubtless deprive them
OF their expected Inheritance. How7
The means We have not yet discoy.
cred. but their room IL next this,
and some dlabollcal contriyance
was used that defien detection"
The Earl was very much IN earn.
est. Evidently he had long wanted
10 express his suspicious. but had
controlled himself. until I invited
frank speech.
You are wrong, Lord Herring.
dean. said Janet. and her quiet
tones were emphasized by a vibra.
ton OF intense conviction: 1T ia i'm.
possible. know the wealeys bot.
ter than you do. and they are In.
capable OF such a thought as crime
10 win fortune, Please never hint
such u thing again. unless you have
some shadow OF proof or some sug.
Eestlon as 20 how they could have
accomplished tt"
They had motive and opnor,uni.
". began. but Janet cried out.
Opportunity What do you
meant"
Only that they occupied the uer,
room. and no ono elao was a. near
"A Lord Hcrrihgdoan says. suppose
some diabolical contrivnnce. intro
dueef. say. thru the open bathroom
window-thcir bathroom Ia next
yon know--pcrhapN a long. jolnted
fishing rod. inserted"
Janet looked incredulons. "A
fishing rod that would come in at
the window. turn round a corner.
and reach the gaa 10 turn It on"
II did sound absurd. and "a we
looked at the distance and the deyi.
Gus directions II must take. 40 were
forced TO discard tho fishing. rod
theory.
but something like that" per.
sisted tho Earl.
We talked q long time in this
vein. We suggested and r,ddied
tome Ingenious theories. and at las,
my two visitors loft mo 10 brood
alone.
And brood I did. Started on the
hsh-pole track. I devised a pllabie
affair. OF finely tempered steel. that
could be irsiuua,ed and finally
reach tho gas Jet. Could force
enough be erertcd 10 turn tho key
at that distance Well. then. a
magnet on It's end. that should pull
the key around, Fine. as an exam.
pic OF n fecnnd imagination. but ut.
terry impractIcable. M n glance out
OF the window IN question showed
me. Then. I advised myRelf. the
same contriyancc put thru a hole in
tho wall But. tho examined
the wall between tho two rooms.
inch by inch. even atom by atom.
AhfAN WIS bp NNt' wv A. h'
parrots blinkcd back at me. and
could almost hear their words OF
ieering scorn that I could not find
out what they had silently wit
Tell me-" I cried. you grinning
You saw the crime com
tell mo How WHY WhoY
How WHY Who7"
sounded like an owl. and as
realized Il. said. angrily. Don't
tell. them Tho owl r. wiser bird
than n silly parrot. and will FIND
out for myself"
| sat down IN my thinking chair.
I took from my pocket the ring
the moonstone ring.
This ring holds the secret" l
unused. "fll wrest II from H. Il
this ring a sign or a clue or mott
II II In. Il was placed on that burner
by the hand that turned the key"
BY aid OF the step ladder. which
| kept in the room now. looked at
the burner from which the ring had