Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-02-20
Nv.

hall" !"
CHAPTER Nv.
Somers' Real Name.
Detective Lowney, who had come
with h coroner, had said little but
had listened to all. Occasionally he
would dart from the room, and re-
turn q few moments later, scribbline
IN his notebook. He was an alert lit
Tie man, with beady black eyes and
a stubby black mustache.
Il want a few words with that ca
then they'd better clear away this
supper business and go home"
We all turned to look at the table,
1t stood in the end of the dining room
that was back of the living room. The
was at the opposite end,
back Of the hall, and it was directly in
front of the sideboard that Somers'
body lay.
Lowney turned on more light. and
a thrill weft through US at the in
congruity of that gay table and the
tragedy SC near it. AS always at
Vicky Vans parties. the appointments
were dainty and elaborate. Flowers
decorated the table; lace, silver, and
glass were of finest quality; and in
the center a the contrivance known
as a Jack Horner Pie"
That was to be the SURPRISE" said
Mrs. Reeves. Il knew about it. The
pie is full OF lovely trinkets and little
jokes on the guests"
children's parties observed Fem,
looking with interest at the gorgeous
CONNECTION,
They're really for birthdays" said
Mrs. Reeves, land today is Vicky's
birthday. That was part of her sur
prise. She didn't want it known, lest
the guests should bring gifts. ' She's
like a child, Vicky is. just as happy
over a birthday party as q little girl
would be-"
What does Miss Van Allen look
asked the detective.
She's pretty" replied Mrs. Reeves,
lawfully pretty, but not a raving
beauty. Black hair, and bright,
How was she dressed? Giddy
clothes?"
I'm an evening gown" , returned
Mrs. Reeves, who resented the detec-
tive's off-hand manner. IA beautiful
French gown, of tulle and gold trim
mings."
"Low-necked, and all that?' Jew
Yes" I said. as Mrs. Reeves dis
dained to answer. Full evening cos
tune, and a necklace and earrings Of
amber set in gold"
Well, what I'm getting at is" said
Lowney. "a woman dressed like that
couldn't go very far in the streets
without being noticed. Well surely be
able to trace Miss Van Allen. Where
would she be likely to go?"
uTH 6on'f knouyn cold AErc pnn1ao
"She" wouldn't go to my home. I live
way down in Washington Square"
Nor to mine,'' chirped Ariadne,
"it's over on the west SIDE"
"I,don't believe she left the house."
declared the coroner.
Tell us again, Luigi" asked Low
ney. Just where did the lady seem
to go, when o saw her leave this
room?"
II can't say. SIR I was looking
through a small opening, as I pushed
the door ajar, and I was 50 amazed
at what I saw, that I was sort Of par
alyzed and did't open the door fur
Go back to the pantry" COM
manded Fem. and look in, just as you
did"
The waiter retreated to the post
he had held. and setting the door a
few inches ajar, proved that he could
see body by the sideboard. but could
not command a view of the hail.
Now, I'll represent Miss Van
and Lowney stood over the
body of Somers. us this the place."
"a little farther to the right, sir,H
and Luigi's earnestness and good faith
were unmistakable. Yes, sir, just
NOW, I walk out into the hall. Is
this the way she went?"
Yes, sir. the same" III ..
Lowney went from the dining room
to the hall, and it was clear that his
further progress could not be seer
by the peeping waiter.
you see, Fenn." the detective went
from here, in the back Of this
long hall, Miss Van Allen could have
left the house by two ways. She
could have gone out at the front door,
passing the parlor. or. she could have
gone down these basement stairs.
story. Then she could have
gone out by the front area door,
which would give her access to the
She could have caught up a
cloak as she went"
Or" said Fem, m%usingly,'' she
could have run upstairs. The stair
case is so far back in the hall. that
the guests in the parlor would not
seen her. This is a very deep
house, you see"
It was true. The stairs began 80
far back in the long hall, that vicky
could easily have slipped upstairs
after leaving the dining room, without
being seen by any of US in the living
room, unless we were in its doorway,
looking out. Was anybody? SO many
guests had left, that this point could
be revealed.
II didn't see her." declared Mrs.
Reeves, "and I don't believ she wal
in the dining room at all. / don't care
that waiter says!"
oh, yes, Madame" reiterated
Luigi. 1T was Miss Van Allen. I
know her we'll. Often she comes 70
and always I take her
orders. She came even this afternoon.
to make sur the great cake-the
Jack Homer, was all right. And she
It,. ah, she clapped her
hands at sight OF It. We all do our
best for Miss Van Allen. she 10 q love.
: Mis-. Miss Van Alien i > q pour reg
ular customsrs?"
.sOne Of our best. Very often we
serve her. and always she orders bur
finest wares"
.You provide eyefythins?.
Everything. Candles, flowAra.
decoratfonsEalg." sgg
And she pays her hills3
Most promptly /