The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1917-09-15

if' Nnh rum view 1OrH.
think. You see. Marybelle and her
mother lived alone In this big
house. and her mother died. So
Marybelle took a companion. Jane,
Field. you know. Sort OF compan.
ion and secretary both. She was
from New York. I'm not sure but
she introduced Moss 20 Marybelle
think she did. Well. In three
months or no. Marybelle had Brad
eating out OF her hand. and soon
they we're married. Janet left then
guess harybeilc didn't want her.
But, when Bradley died. Marybeile
seemed glad TO get Janet Back. and
she's been here ever since"
And where did tho Earl drop
from7"
"oh. he met Marybelle last sum
mcr. somewhere. and she annexed
him all up. as fast ms she could"
And you're neares, OF kiny" I
asked OF Helen.
Yea. tho house Ia mine now. II
seems 40 strange. poor Mary
BELLE"
You know she wrote TO Curtis
she wanted 10 change her will"
| don't know why sprung that
on Helen. but for tho life OF me
! couldn't help IL. Anyway. she
went white. and asked how ! knew.
told her about the letter TO Curtis.
and thea Helen went off In her
Mysteries again. and I left the room.
went downstairs. and found the
inquest had reached the stage of
questioning servants. This always
bores me, for never knew II 20
produce a clue yet. and the owl
donce they would give was all
known 10 me, or would be reported.
| glanced over my reporter boys
notes. The servants had already
told about the first limitations OF
tho tragedy. and OF entering the
room. Tho Earl had given his evi-
dence. also Bellamy. Vida was now
recalled. because the lights were
in question.
But. no." she was saying. with
her everlasting adverbiage-she
ascribed as much virtue TO but"
as Touchstone did 10 ''ir'--"but, no.
Madame used little light in her bed.
room. Never did she desire my
help nj retiring time. She flicked
on the dressing. table lights. or. 1!
writing letters. the desk lamp. Al
30. had sho the bedside light But
the grea, chandelier she used al
most never"
You mean the electric fixtures
Of the great chandelier"
but. certainly. The gas was
never lighted. IL could not be. be
cause OF itA. great height Madame
was not tall. nor am !, myself
Moreover. the lights hurt her eyes
a little. Madame was nearsighted
and preferred the closer lights"
Moro was said. here. but all went
20 indicate that Marybelle had not
touched the gas burner. either by
design or by accident.
The butler was asked about the
gas IN the house. He knew little. II
seemed. but Mrs. Blum. The cook
declared that no gas whatever was
usedh except in the gas range for
cooking. and In water-heater for
dlsh.washing. In all her experience
and she had been with Mrs. Moss
over three years, never had a
burner been lighted for illumination
in the house 20 her knowledge.
An why wud IT." she asked
with them electrics all over the
place. And there ain't no leak In
tho pipes. that there Amt. ! shut
n smelt n. 80. The poor lydy was
murdered. that's wot, sir. and NV dc
don't find out who put up the Job
yer a disgrace TO yer calm, ano
that's for certain"
II was with some difficulty thai
Mrs. Blum was induced 10 stop hel
witnessing. but the cessation wa,
achieved, and a few more queries
put to Vida. These were concern
Ing the pearl necklace. and It's prob
able hiding place. II that could b,
located
But ycsl" Vida butted in. "wher
Madame had a new jewel. ah, ther
was there great TODD 10 hide II
But after a few weeks the care
lessness returned and the gemi
were laid on the dresser or any
where. Now. OF these pearls | hav,
no knowledge. But IL there was
new gift and OF value. rest as
sured Madame hid Il most cleverly
and Il will be indeed difficult e
find. | have known her to Dor,
a long hole In a chair leg and In &
put her diamond lorgnette chain
But that was when the chain wal
new"
THAT explains the auger." sale
Weldon.
What nuger7" asked the coroner
There was long. slender augel
in the lower dresser drawer. and
wondered at its being In n lady''
possession.
But. yes" insisted Vida. twice
Madame did bore such holes. Ii
the chair and In the window sill.
The window SIN"
Yes, right down straight Their
when the window Is closed hnt
fastened, tho hole is hidden and tn,
Jewels are safe. All, but Madam,
was the clever one. Yet, withal
II she had new jewels. new hidin,
places must be invented. and even
so. all windows must be exceed
ingly locked and barred agains
burglars, and all doors double
bolted She had so much fear"
Perhaps. then. the pearls arr
even now In these bored holes. ID,