Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-02-26

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didn't altogether like his stolid .indif-
ference, it seemed impossible there
should be 70 little humanity in a fell
loW-betng. but I Knew he was q good
and conscientious waiter, and I con-
cluded@ he was nothing more.
I went home. and, Of course. was
met by Aunt Lucy and Winnie with a
perfeot storm Of questions.
After dinner" I begged. Let me
I'll tell you all ! know"
But after q few spoonfuls of soup.
Winnie declared I was too to
eat n I might as we'll talk. i
We'll. I will" I said. "But, look
here, you two. To begin with, I want
you to understand that Tn involved
in this matter in a business way, and
I'm also interested in a personal way.
And I don't want any silk talk about
It's being unfortunate or regrettable
that I should be. It's q business case:
Mr.. Schuyler's estate is concerned,
and it's a personal affair that I'm &C
quainted with Miss Van Allen; and I
propose to make more or less effort to
find some a Of that girl. and see
il there Is my possible chance that
she may not be the guilty one after
i ALL"
Good for you, Lord Chesterton!"
cried Winnie. II always knew you
were the soul of chivalry. and nov
you're proving It! What are you go
ing to do-to find out things, I
mean"
II don't know yet, Win. But if you
Indeed, she won'tl" declared Aunt
Lucy. IL you have to do these things
as a matter of business, I can't OBJ
ject. But I won't have Winnie dragged
into it."
NO dragging, Aunt Lu, and moth
Ing very desperate for Winnie to do.
But. I'd be jolly glad IL both Of you
occasionally and see II you see any
thing going on at the Van Allen
house. that's all"
"oh, I'll do that!" Winnie cried.
Nobody can see me, I'll keep behind
u curtains, and I can see that house
perfectly WELL"
IT don't mean all the time, child.
But I do feel sure that Vicky Van
will come back there, and if you
glance out now and then. you might
see her go in or out" .
But it's dark" said Aunt Lucy,
who was becoming interested, in spite
of her scruples.
"I<dont mean tonight, or any night.
But In the daytime. She's likely to
come. ii at all, in broad daylight. I
think"
Aren't the police keeping guard on
the house," inquired my aunt.
Only the regular patrolman. He
doorknob. and goes on. If Vicky is as
clever as I think she is. she'll time
that policeman, and sneak into the
house between his rounds. It's only a
chance, you know, but you might see
her"
And then I told them all I knew
myself Of the whole affair. And see
moil Of 1t all, and had grave RESPONSE
b~ilities, Aunt Lucy Withdrew all OBJ
jections and sympathized with me.
Also, she was impressed with my i'm
portant business connections with the
Schuyler family, and vas frankly
hold. I was asked over and over again
as to their mode of living> the furni-
ture and appointments Of The house,
and the attitudes Of the widow and
the sisters toward each other.
\ 1t was late In the evening before I
remembered rome important papers
Mr.. Bradbury had given me to hand
to Mrs. Schuyler, and as soon as I
thought of them I telephoncd to know
! II I might then bring them over.
Yes" came back Ruth S%chuyler's
soft voice. Il wish you would. I want
to consult you about ONT other
things also"
The interview was less trying that
that of the morning had been. Several
matters of inheritance. insurance, and
such things were discussed, and Mrs.
Schuyler was more composed and
calm.
She looked better, too, though this
was doubtless due. in part, to the fact
that she wore a white house dress
which was far more becoming than
black to her colorless face and light
hair. ~
II don't know" she said, at length.
whether what I want to say should
be said to yoy or to the detective"
Tel me first" I said. land l may
will be confidential"
You are kind" she said. and her
grateful eyes smiled appreciatively.
It's this. I'd rather not have that
that Miss Van Allen traced, il it can
De prevented in any way. I have a
special reason for this, which I think
l VIII tell you. It is. that, on thinking
ut over l have become convinced that
my husband must have known the
young woman, and the acquaintance
was not to his credit. For some rea-
SON., ] think. she must have forbidden
him n house. and that is why he
went there under an assumed name.
III 6CLLIIlk MT.
Steele on the long distance tele-
phone" =.
Why. whefe is stee1e." !
In Chicago. MI. Lowney says that
he had to go there on the midnight
train. and that is why he left the
lady's house-Miss Van Aliens house,
so suddenly"
Really? Well, l am surprised But,
go on, what else did Steele saw" :
"He said that Mr.. Schuyler was
with him at the club, and that he.
Mr.. Steele, said he was going to Miss
Van Aliens party and Mr.. Schuyler
begged him to take him along, and
introduce him al Mr.. Somers. It seems
he had asked Mr.. Steele before to do
this. BIT this time he was more in.
sistent. So Mr.. Steele did 1t. or course.
Mr.. Calhoun. I asked MI. Lowney
infinitely about all this, because /
want to know Just what circumstance
es led up to my husbands going to
that house"
"of course, Mrs. Schuyler, you have
every right to know. And did Steele
say that was Mr.. schuyIer's first visit
Somers? ,"
mr.. Steele thought Mr.. SCHUYLER
had never been to the house before
at all. But may he not have been mis-.
taken? May not Mr.. Schuyler have
known the lady prsviously-oh, Il IL
such a mol! But, in any, ease, MI.
Calhoun, 1t seems to me that further
probing and searching will only pile
UP o%pprobrium. IN the name Of Schuy.
Ter, and can't stand It. 7 am ID
unused to notoriety or publicity
can't face all the unpleasantness that