Evening star., 1919-05-11

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when I had told her my business. $50
how can anybody in here be concerned
in the case?"
''Then who in this house knew they
were coming here. or even to the city?"
"Only my husband" she said.
'Ahd your servants"
would you mind talking these
matters over with my husband?" she
asked, with her finger already on the
bell, FOR my spare time today is ex-
tremely limited. and Mr.. Woodwork,
you'll find is still downstairs"
The bell was answered. by a trim
figured lady's maid with demure eyes
and extremely red lips.
"Lucile, take this lady down to Mr..
Woodworth," commanded the mis-
tress of the house. Yet l noticed that
she stood studying that red-lipped
servitor with a new and narrow-eyed
intentness
Norman Woodwork proved to be
one of those full-blooded. fulfilled,
high--living nephritics with pathetic
ALLY softened hands and prematurely
hardened arteries.
Mrs. Woodwork has sent me down
to you about that interior decorating"
] announced.
Norman Woodworth's shrewd and
guarded eye studied my face for
moment. Then he glanced down at
his watch.
I've got to be at the chamber of
commerce in half an hour" he ex-
planned. Can YOU come in my carp"
] did so. after ordering my taxi to
follow. l told him, in two minutes
time. why l was there.
Then what do you want to know?"
Il infer from what your wife said
that you yourself engage your help"
Il do" he acknowledged.
Are any of them new?" He hesi-
tated at this.
Parsons. my butler, might be de-
scribed as a recent arrival in the
house. But he was eleven years with
the Vandertyls before he came to US
l know that positively"
WHO recommended him to you"
Again there was the momentary
silence.
Somebody already in my employ
ment--l don't just remember who"
And how about Mrs. Woodworth's
own maid. the girl called Lucille? Has
she been long in the house,"
II fancy not he said, after a mo-
ment's thought
Would you mind dropping me
here?" l said as ] opened the door and
motioned to my taxi driver. We came
to a stop.
Il am afraid l haven't helped you
much" ventured the motor king.
More than you imagine" / told
him. He looked down at my express
sionless face for Questioning second
or two. Then he slammed shut the
door, and l noticed that he did so
with quite unnecessary force.
Straight to police headquarters"
told my taxi driver as / climbed in.
Miss Rymal," asked Babbitt, as I
stepped into his office at Headquarters.
did you ever hear of man named
Pareto? A man of that name tried to
call up your friend Curate Sam at his
hotel We ran down the number he
left and found he'd been talking from
drug store, without leaving a trail
So the help we tried to give you didn't
pan out"
How about those phone numbers?"
] asked.
Babbitt handed over a sheet from
scratch-pad bearing the fruits of
official research. I glanced over the
addresses without too APPARENT. in
therers. One of the names saw there
was Paddy Moran"
Anything else you wantw asked
Babbitt.
Nothing but room at the Pont-
chartrain," l told him from the half
opened door. And if this Office hap
pens to want me, be SO good as to
call for Miss Annie Casey. And, by the
way, please wire our New York ONCE
to find out il Herman Vandertyl, or
his wife, ever recommended an Eng
lish butler named Parsons to the
Woodwork family here"
/ went straight to the Pontchart.
There / ducked for cover, sent q bell
boy for the house detective and
showed my badge.