Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-09-29


gaze.
81 don't remember that anything was
said which might have disturbed her:
The headache seemed genuine enough. y
"When you had tea with her at her
home on the following afternoon did
she seem to have quite recovered her
health and spirits?"
There was a pause and Swarthmore
chuckled dryly.
"Quite. / assure you she had never
appeared to better advantage"
"In what way?" Paul asked quickly.
"She looked remarkably well, and
seemed more vivacious than usual. y
Swarthmore spoke now in a guarded
drawl. "Clevcr little woman, Mrs.
Hartshorne Must have overreached
herself, though Too bad The clever
ones do. now and again, don't they?"
"Overreached herself?" Paul repeated
the phrase with rising infection which
demanded a reply.
"Well, yes" Swarthmore shrugged.
"Somc one must have had it in for
her rather desperately, doR't you think,
to do what was done on Thursday
night"
"You have formed an opinion, then,
as to the manner of her death"
''By no MEANS" the other contra
dicted hastily, adding with touch of
malice, II do not profess to be superior
to the Police Department.
"When you called at her house on
Wednesday Paul ignored the other s
thrust-"did Mrs. Hartshorne tell you
that she thought of leaving Eastopolis -
"She mentioned it, but l didn't think
she was in earnest"
Mr.. Swarthmore, did you see Mrs.
1lartshorne between Wednesday after
noon and the dance at the Ledyards on
the following evening""
"No."
You met her there. however? Danced
with her? Talked to her?"
She arrived late, but l had a little
chat with her in the conservatory short
ly before l left. The dissipated lines
about Swarthmore's mouth hardened
perceptibly. Il hate mob like that.
'N'N my ~ IL VII
Mr.. Swarthmore, did anything un
pleasant occur between you and Mrs.
Hartshorne during that interview? In
other words, did you quarrel?"
Il never quarrel with lady"
Swarthmore's drawl was insolently
exaggerated. There was no occasion
| assure you, in any event. We had a
most interesting conversation, but aside
from that the evening promised to be a
bore and l left before supper; about
IL 80, / think"
DO you remember jostling Mr..
Wend!e Braddock in the doorway of the
ballroom? Were you not enraged about
something at the moment?"
Enraged,' is scarcely the word
my dear sir Swarthmore smiled. 81
was irritated, annoyed by the crush.
don't recall Braddock particularly, but
If he was in my way l probably swept
him aside with little ceremony. BY the
way, how is Braddock taking this? BY
Jove, it must have floored him -,
''Why? Were he and Mrs. Hart
shore such close friends?"
Again the pause. Swarthmore laughed
shortly.
Friends? The old fool was in
fatuated. Cad, I'D like to see his fac,
now :"
ARD you sure, Mr.. Swarthmore
Have you any proof of this infatua
tion?"
Il have eyes" he returned brusuuely
Hes been dancing attendance on hel
for weeks.
when you left the Ledyards' a
II 80 on Thursday night, where did yol
go?"
Il took a walk" For the first tim
he seemed to hesitate. II wanted t.
get the Odor of that perfumed menageri
out of my nostrils. 1t was wonderful
spring night and l strOlled about fo
some time before returning to m
rooms"
Paul leaned forward.
For how long, Mr.. Swarthmore
What time did you return
Il haven't an idea" lie shrugged
"Not anticipating the fact that it nigh
become necessary for me to establish a
alibi ! took no account of time
Perhaps the night doorman here vii
remember" Paul suggested.
~"Oh, it was around . o'clock,
imagine" Swarthmore spoke carelessly
but his face flushed.
''In the intervening two hours and
half you did not stop anywhere? Jus
strolled about?
Precisely"
''In what direction?"
There again 1 must disaproint you.
His tone was coolly ironic. MY min
was engrossed in Forthcoming di
rectors' meeting of my company and
took no note of the course of my noe
turnal ramble. To save you the troubl
of framing your question, l may ad
that it is quite conceivable ! was in tn
neighborhood of Farragut street; ma
even have passed Mrs. Hartshorne'
house, although / don't recall il
Damaging, isn't it?"
Paul rose.
Did you encounter any acQuaintanC
during your walk, Mr.. Swarthmore?
None. You'll have to take my wor
for it, but in the event that you don
you'll find me here. However, | ca
assure you that / didn't kill Mrs
Hartshorne.'
CONTINUED TOMORROW