Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-02-22
P v (Continued)

CHAPTER v (Continued)
Detective Lowney began adroitly to
put questions instead of answering
them.
He inquired concerning Mr.. schuy-
ler's habits and pursuits, his recrea-
tions and his social life.
All three of the women gave re-
sponses to these queries, and I learned
many things. (.
First. hat Randolph Schuyler was
one manner of maj at home and an
other abroad. The household, it was
plain to be seen. was n of most
conservative customs and rigidly
straightforward in its conventions.
Mrs. Schuyler was not a second wife.
She had been married about seven
years, and had lived the last five of
them in the house we were now in.
She was much younger than her hus-
band. and he had. I could see. kept
her from all knowledge of or particle
patton of his Bohemian tastes. They
were the sort of people who have a
box at the opera and are patrons Of
he best and most exclusive func-
tions of the highest society. Mrs.
SCHUYLER, after the first shock, recov-
cred her poise, and though now and
hen a tremor shook her slight frame,
she bore herself with dignity and
calm.
The two, maiden ladies also grew
quieter, but I'VE all nervously awaited
the return Of the butler.
At last he came.
IT'S the master, Madame" he said.
simply, to his mistress as he entered
the room. "He is dead"
). The deferential gravity of his tone
impressed ME anew with the mans
worth. and I felt hat the stricken
wife had a tower of strength in the
faithful scrvitor.
Il left Cooper there, Madame" he
went on. "They-they will not bring
Mr. Schuyler home tonight. In the
morning, perhaps. And now. Madame.
will you not go to rest? I. will be at
the service OF these gentlemen"
further that night. and the three
ladies were dismissed by Lowney. and,
attended by their maids, they left us.
Now, Jepson," Lowney began.
tell US all you know about Mr..
schuyler's doings. I daresay you
know as much as the valet does. Was
Mr.. Schuyler as a man of the world.
different from his life in this house?'
not for me to say, sir"
"Oh, YES. it is. my man. The law
asks you, and it is for you to tell all
o know"
We'll, then" and the butler weigh
ed his words. my master was always
most strict of habit in his home. The
ladies' are very reserved, and abide by
rules and standards. that are. if I may
say so, out of date today. But, though
Mr.. Schuyler was by no means a gay
MAJ or a member of any fast set. vet
have a to think. sir, that at
times he might go to places where he
would moi "a AMrs. Schuyler. and
where he would. not wish Mrs. Sehuy-
Ter to know he had been himself"
That's enough" said Lowney. 1--WE
GOT ms number. Now, Jepson, had
your master any enemies, that you
know OFF,"
Not that I know of. Eut 1 know
nothing of Mr.. Schuyler's affairs. I see
him go out of an evening, and I NAV
notice that he comes in very late, but
as to his friends or enemies, I know
nothing at all. I am not one to pry.
SIR, and my master has always trusted
me. have endeavored not to betray
that trust" "
This might have sounded pharisaical
IN a man or less sincerity of speech,
But Jepson's clear. straightforward
eyes forbade n doubt of his honesty
and truth.
Again I was glad that Mrs. Schuv-
Ter mad this staunch helper at her
SIDE, for ] foresaw troublous times in
store for her.
And you never heard Of this Miss
beforc?" ~
Never. sir. I know nothing of the
houses on the side blocks" 1 WINGED
at TINS. of course. I know the people
VINO come to this house, but there ia
among them no Miss Van Allen"
Rather mott" 7 thought to myself.
ana Their I sighed at the memory Of
,vlcky Van. Had she killed this mil
lionaire? And If 80, why?
was sure Vicky had nev met
Randolph Schuyler before that even
ing. | had seen their meeting. and it
was too surely the glance Of stranger
TO stranger that had passed between
them, to make a previous. acquaint-
ance possible. Vicky had been charm-
ing to him. as h always was to every
one. but she showed no special inter-
est. n If she did. really kill him, it
prompted the deed.
thought 1t over. Schuyler, at the
club. dined and wined, had sperhaps
heard Norman Steele extol the charms
OF V1cky Van. Interested, he had asked
to be taken to vicky's house. but. as 1t
was so near his own, a sense Of Dre-
led him to adopt another
name.
Then the inexplicable sequel!
And the mysterious disappearance
Of Vicky herself.
Though. of course. the Girl would
return. As Mrs. Reeves had said.
doubtless she had witnessed the crime.
and. scared out of her wits, had run
away. Her return would clear up the
matter.
Then the walters story?
Well, there was much to be done,
And. as I suddenly bethought, me. It
was time !, myself went home!
AS I passed yicky Vans house. on
my way home. I saw lights pretty
much all over It, and was strongly
tempted to 90 In. But common sense
told me I needed rest, and not only
did ! have many matters to attend to
on the morrow, but I had to tell the
story to Aunt Lucy and Winnie!
That. OF itself. would require some
thought and tactfuI management, for
! was not willing to have them con-
denim Yicky Van entirely. ana YET, /
could think OF no argument to but
forth for the girls innocence
Time alone must tell. 4
CHAPTER VI
LAttaEa&F 49,