Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-09-22

not 10 disturb her until she rings. but
that is ordinarily about 10, unless
Madame is ILL.," Matilde's volubility
had slackened and she spoke now almost
haftingly. 'She has not been well
lately. and became anxious when the
hour Of II came and no sound from
Madame's room. went to her door
and knocked softly but there was no
reply. II occurred to me then that
perhaps Madame had not returned that
she had stayed at the house Of Madame
Gaylor. II has not happened before
but Madame has for some days been
not quite herself
The woman paused with quick catch
of her breath and Chief Burke leaned
across the table.
Go on :" he commanded in voice OF
thunder. What do you mean? Not
quite herself--'?'
but she was nervous, Monsieur.
Fatigued and restless. The whim might
have come to remain with her friends.
The moments respite had been sutti =
cient. Matilde's tone was bland. al
though she spoke more slowly as II
weighing each word. II turned the
handle, but the door was locked so |
knew Madame was at home. did not
st the moment discover that the key was
gone.
.'You made no other effort to arouse
your mistrcss?" Paul took up the in
uuiry once more.
"Not then. Monsieur. ! knew that
mademoisellc Adare, the secretary,
would come in one half hour and de.
cided that I would wait until her ar
rival would make il necessary to disturb
Madame. But Mademoiselle AdarP was
late and ] became alarmed, Suppose
Madame were indeed i'll! went again
to hcr door and this time | saw tiny
point Of light coming through the key
hole. bent and looked. Messieurs,
YOU know what saw
"why did you not give the alarm i'm
mediatcly?'
"But there was no time. Monsieur.
| thought that Madame must be i'll, un-
conscious. and ! few down the stairs
to toll the other servants and summon a
doctor when at the moment Made
moiselc Adarne rang the bell
- Sc Paul walked few PAGES
away and then wheeled. Did you ever
see that revolver before. the one lying
beside Mrs. Hartshorne's body?'
II do not know. Monsieur"
Look here" Chief Burke brought
his fist down on the trail table. What
do you mean. you don't know? Speak
up and don't beat about the bush -
Madame had a revolver. or course
have seen hers many times. but how
can | be sure that it is the same?''
Matilde eyed the chief calmly.
What was her opJect in keeping a
revolver? Was she afraid of burgars?'
he demanded.
What else. Monsieur" Matidc
shrugged Madame jewels are ot
great value and always there is mucl
money about the house.
Had she a safe?" Paul intcrvenct
once more.
mo. Monsieur. The jewels are il
my charge and the money Madame hides
in odd places. 1t is-what do you say
"a fad of hers. There will be a hun
dred dollar bill between the pages of {
book two. three hundred stuffed in ;
vase. as much as five hundred, perhaps
slipped behind a picture.
Paul and the chief exchanged signii
cant glances.
"You say you had charge of Mrs
Hartshorne's jewels. Have you lis
Of them
"Certainly. Monsieur. But the jewel
themselves are in Madame's bedroom.
"Who arc Mrs. Hartshorne's closes
friends?" Paul switched the subjec
of his inquiry abruptly.
IAN the haut monde-how do yo'
say the best people of Eastopolis,
responded Matilde promptly.
But elsewhere?' insisted Paul
Have no old friends visited her? Ha
she never spoken of them or of he
family
Madame has had no visitors
guarded look. like veil. filmed tn
womans overnight piercing blac
eyes. Nor has she spoken of oil
friends. Madame is not in the habi
of discussing her affairs with me. bu
! have understood that her husband
dead and she has no near relatives
Her letters-surely she receive
letters from other places? Where di
such letters come from?"
II do not know, Monsieur - Ther
was a trace of hauteur in Matilde'
tone. II do not pry into Madame
mail.
But the postmarks? Have yo
never noticed a postmark other tina
Eastopolis on letter of hers?"
Never, Monsieur. l do not eve
glance at them" she added pointed,
Il know nothing whatever of Madame.
That will do" Paul turned ava.
You may go: but ! shall want to as
you some questions later.
Chief Burke stirred in his chair an
made as if to speak, but he EVIDENT
thought better Of it and Matilde lie
the room d silence. When she ha
gone he turned to the younger man.
CONTINUED TOMORROW
A Trace Of independence