Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-05-19

feared her aunt would disinherit
hef-
."How do you know that?' the
question was shot at her, ana ANITA
fairly jumped as h. heard u.
"why-whg,. you know heard ref.
erence made to it that night when
When you overheard that conven-
~sation: yes. 20 on" Fleming stone
had gained his point, which was to
prove that Anita did know or the
proposed change in the will before
THAI tin.e. and to his own belief he
had proved it.
yes, I cannot doubt now that
Pauline knew her aunt intended to
change her will, and so h was so
desperate at the. idea Of fosins her
fortune. she-I cannot bear to put 1t
in WORDS"
She poisoned the lady" said
Fleming Stone, very Eravely.
Yes Anita's voice choked. but
she enunciated the word. Mr.. stone.
you must think me dreadful to hold
! these suspicious, but you asked ME to
be frank"
And I wish you to be so. I am
here. Miss Frayne, to discover the
ip~cisoner OF Miss Darlington. 1t is my
duty to get all possible light on the
;master from any one I car. 1t is the
duty OF those whom I question to tell
all they know truthfully and
istraightforwardly. If these truths
member Of the household. non the
less must the investigation be carried
on and the case be pushed to its in
ievitable conclusion. The great dan
ger lies in mistaking opinions or i'm
laginations for facts. Now you are
telling facts as to the words you
overheard, but o are giving only
opinions as to whom those words
were addressed"
THAT is So" and Anita's gaze was
IA wondering M But, Mr.. Stone
'since the fact of that person in the
room is undiscoverable, one can't heir
forming an opinion. Haven't you
one?"
II have"
"Oh, what is it,"
II think those words were spoken
to some ihanimate object, not to q
person. Suppose the remark thought
to be said to Count Charlier vas ad-
dressed t6 his glove, which she was
undoubtedly holding at the time"
II thought of that, because
have Assumed that Pauline put thai
, glove in her hand after-after it was
} all over, to implicate the Count. And
any way, that's only that n remark
or two. To what inanimate object
was she talking when she said To.
morrow all these jewels may be
yours"
"That I cannot answer. That whole
conversation is most mysterious"
Indeed it is, Mr.. Stone, under any
other hypothesis than that of the
presence of Pauline Stuart in hel
auht's room at the time!"
May I come in and Gray Havi'
lands good-natured face appeared, a:
he knocked and opened the door al
most simultaneously.
Yes" said Stone. land I will ask
: you, Miss Frayne. to leave US. I an
getting to work in earnest now, ant
1 want to push things a little"
Stone watched the effect of thi:
speech on Anita and was not sur
prsed to see her look at him witt
lstaftled eyes, as she unwillingly wen
her.
J whats doing?" asked Haviland ir
frankly: Lots. Those two girls ar.
|, sworn foes, aren't they?"
"Of late they have seemed to be
The break came a month or more
before Miss Darlington died. Two
beauties never can remain friends"
;. "They are both beautiful women
agreed stone. (which do you think
had a hand in the tragedy"
God Lord! Neither Of them
What are you talking about? Tha'
Count man is responsible for the
whole thing. Bates and all"
Il know o think SO, Mr.. Havi'
land, but l can't agree with you
Now look here, we've got to face
things squarely. Take the story Mis-:
Frayne tells, about, that mysteriou.
Of her brain,-"
"What! Man. you're crazy! Ante
Frayne make that ali up u Of thu
solid! Never. in a thousand years
II she said that talk was talked, i
was talked, and that's all there il
about that! Why or by whom it wa:
talked, il another matter, and as
understand 1t, that's what you're her.
me ana the arc light, / don't believe
you ever will find out" !
mo! And this is no aspersion OF
your powers. I believe that foo
Count was in there, and as he'll never
admit 1t, and you'll never believe 1t
how can 1t be proyed?'
"Never mind that, now. Prepare
yourself, Hr. Haviland, for some un,
welcome questions. You don't wan
to, but I must insist on your answer.
ling them. Which do you consider thu
more truthful and honest of the two
young women I've Just been TALKING
TOT"
"Nixie! You can't get an answer tt
that question out of me! Why, IL
be a cad to say anything but that the,
are both ~impeccably truthful anc
honest"
$50 you would. in ordinary circum,
stances. But you must realize, Mr.
Haviland, that I'm here for. the defn'
lite purpose Of sowing the mystery Of
a terrible crime, and I can only do Il
by inquiry and investigation. If yor
really refuse to help me / must>learr
what 1 want to know in other ways
But, hang it. man." and Haviland
impressed by Stones manner, con.
|sidered the question; II do think
they're both truthful,-that is, one 81
|them-On, L can't say 1t! I can't tail
against a won1an!"
"You'li be obliged to tell All yor
know, sooner or later. II you tell me
now. 1 truly believe it will be better
all around"
well, then,-now wait, I've get te
think this thing out; I believe,-why