Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-03-04

robes. n permitted nerSelI a touch
Of. white at the turned-in throat. and
bodice. A contrast, indeed, to the Sc
we're garb Of the spinster sisters. who
looked like a%llegorical figures Of hope
less gloom.
But their manner was more Of
militant revenge. and, having heard
the verdict Of the coroner's verdict,
they were ready to take up the case
themselves.
Come in, Mr.. Calhoun" they called
out, as I entered the library. you're
just the man we want to see. Now,
that the prone has finished his task,
we will take the matter up. Mr..
Lowney, I suppose. will continue the
search for Miss Van Allen. but we
fear he will not be successful. So. we
detective, Fleming Stone"
"Stone!" I cried, why, he won't
work with the police"
Then he work without Them"
declared Rhoda, with asperity. i've
heard wonderful stories Of that mans
success. and we're going to engage
him at once"
mo matter. We're going to find
our brothers murderer il it takes ev-
tery penny of. our fortune"
What do you think Of this plan,
Mrs. Schuyler" I asked.
1--WE not been consulted" she said,
with a slight smile. "Since Mr.. Ran
dolph's sisters choose to adopt it, I
nothing Of Mr.. Stone, but if he is
really a great detective. he will not
condemn that girl unheard. And If
she is proved guilty, of course the
claims Of justice must be met. Do you
know him. Mr.. Calhoun"
"Not personally. I've often heard Of
him, and he's a wonder. II you want
to find Miss Van Allen. you can't do
better than to get him on the trail.
That's what I say" put in Sarah
"And II he doesn't find her, at least
we've the satisfaction of knowing
we've done all we could"
I'VE thought Of offering a reward
for Information Of Miss Van Allen"
added Rhoda, but Il we're going to
get Mr.. Stone. wouldn't it be better
to consult him about that?"
Il think it would" ! judged.
Just then Winnie. came into the
room. She had been writing notes, and
she held a lot Of unopened letters in
her hand.
you think! Here's the mail, Jepson
Tor you from Miss Van Allen"
What" cried everybody at once.
yes, declared Winnie. II know
the hand, it's the same as was on that
letter to Mr.. Schuyler. It's such a
queer hand, you can't forget it."
She handed all the letters to Ruth,
the one she referred to on top.
Mrs. Schuyler turned pale as she
it, too, and without doubt, it was
Vicky Vans writing.
1t had been mailed in New York
that same morning, and delivered just
now, about five o'clock.
You open it, Mr. Calhoun" said
Ruth, as If h eeshrank from the task.
I took it gravely, for it seemed to
Was she giving herself up. or what?
Win handed me a letter-opener, and
I slit the envelope.
AS they breathlessly awaited my
words, I read:
To Mrs. Randolph Schuyler:
Dear Madam: 1t is useless to
look for me. Today I am leaving
New York forever. The mystery
of Mr.. Schuyler's death r,,ll new
er be solved,% the truth never
learned. I alone know the secret
and 1t will die with me. You may
employ. detectives from now till
uOOlAlou0y Jul yOu Will ulOCOtCE
nothing. So give up the search,
for you will never find
Victoria Van Allen.
There was a pause as I finished
reading. Myself, I was thrilled by a
said, the secret will die with me-"
Again, I felt that she was intending
to bring about her own death, and
that speedily Would we know it IL
she did? I was thinking deeply, when
Miss Rhoda spoke.
II believe that girl to kill
herself. and I should think she
would"
why do o think that?" and
Ruth looked up with a startled face.
1T sounds SO, and 1t would be the
natural outcome Of her remorse at
her dreadful deed" h
II think she must be guilty. said
Winnie, her dear little countenance
drawn with grief. as she studied the
None Of US said much more. We all
were stunned. in q way, by this un-
expected development, and had to re-
adjust our theories.
WELL" Miss Rhoda said. decidedly,
II shall consult MI. Stone anyway.
I've written him. and though i've not
mailed the letter yet, I shall send It
IA SVIAA6 AAN 4AlCu "I1Cu H0 COH1ES 10
talk It over We see what he says
and abide by his Judgment"
THAT'S . good idea, Rhode" and
Ruth Schuyler nodded a%ssentinEly:
II. too, want Justice. and II Fleming
Stone thinks he can find Miss Van
Allen. let him do So"
II was six o'clock then. and win
and I went home, leaving the Schuy-
Ter ladies to their own discussions.
Ruth schuyier's hand fingered q
moment IN mine, as I bade her adieu,
and she said. wistfully. II wish you
would tell me just what you think We
torjudging for myself in any impor-
tant. matter"
= think It wise t. get Mr.. stone"
returned. I'm any case itlcan do no
harm. you know"
mo, ! suppose not" and she gave
me ono OF her rare smiles OF ppre-
cistlon. ~ am glad. you are looking
after VI. instead Of Mr.. Bradbury"
shs said further. and ! sincerely re-
sponded that I was glad. too.
Anotn az surprise swaited me q
smail. and ~ I picked It up. and ran
the lettsrs over, there was one from
I hastily concealed 1t from winnfs's.
sharp syeS, for l had no notion what
II might divulge, and hurried with n
up to my own room.
ImpAtientlyi / tore. 1t open and
raced through its contents.
fhis net iatsrcst..g story
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