Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-02-19
CHAPTER III.
The Waters Story.

The Waters Story.
Doctor Remson's police call had
been imperative, and Inspector Ma
son cam>@ with two men. :
here?" the big burly inspector said.
as he faced the few Of us who had
remained.
Come in here. Inspector" said the
doctor, from the dining room door.
And from that moment the whole
aspect of the house seemed to change.
No longer a gay little biiou residence,
1t became a court of Justice.
One of the men was stationed at the
street door and one at the area door
below. Headquarters was notified
of details. The coroner was sum-
moned, and we were all for the Hlo-
ment under detention.
Where is Miss Van Allen? Where
is the lady of the house? ?" asked Ma
son. Where are the servants Who
is in charge here?"
Was ever a string Of questions so
impossible of answers!
Doctor Remson told the main facts,
but he Was reticent. I, too, hesitated
to say much. for the case was strange
indeed. :.
Mrs. Reeves looked gravely con-
cerned. but said nothing.
Ariadne Gale began to babble. That
oAA NAVAL HAAo" 44o" " NC 4NACIs
Il guess Miss Van Allen, is up
stairs" she volunteered. "She was
in the dining room. but she isn't
here now, so she must be upstairs.
Shall l go and see?" .
MOI Numbered the inspector.
Stay where you are. Search the
house, Breen: I'll cover the street
The man he called Breen wen up
stairs on the, jump, and Mason con-
tinued. Tell the story, one of you.
Who is this man? Who killed him 2"
AS he talked, the inspector was ex-
amining Somers' body, making rapid
notes in a little book, keeping his eye
on the door. and darting quick
grasp the situation.
I looked at Bert Garrison, who
was perhaps the most favored Of Miss
Van Aliens friends. but he shook his
head. so I threw myself into the
breach.
Inspector" I said. that mans
name is Somers. Further than that
l know nothing. He is a stranger to
all OF us. and he came to this house
tonight for the first time in his life;
How'd he happen to come?
Friend Of Miss Van Allen p"
H met her tonight for the first
time. He came here with" I
paused. 1t was so ard to know what
to do. Steele had gone home, ought
/ to implicate him?
Go on-came here with whom?''
II usually speak. the truth" LIRE
turned, shortly. HE came with aaMr.
Norman Steele"
Where is Mr.. Steele"
He has gone. There were a great
many people here. and. naturally,
some of them went away when this
tragedy was discovered"
guilty party escaped. But we are
getting nowhere. Does nobody know
ANYTHING of this man. but his name?"
Nobody did: but Ariadne piped up,
He was a delightful man.. He told,
me he was a great patron Of art, and
often bought pictures"
Paying little heed to her, the in
spector was endeavoring to learn from
the dead mans property something
more about him.
NO letters or papers," he said, dis
p pocRetseo'S aNo as u ne .nlned out even tine
togs-but not even a card or any
thing personal-looks QUEER
Look in his watch" said Ariadne,
bridling with importance.
Giving her a keen glance, the in
spector followed her suggestion. In
the back of the case was a picture
OF a %coquettish face. undoubtedly
that of an actress. 1t was not care
fully astcned in, but roughly cut out
and pressed in with ragged edges.
Temporary grunted the inspector,
and recently stuck in. Some chicken
he took out to supper. He's a club
man, you say?"
Yes, Mr.. Steele said so, and also
vouched for his worth and charac-
ter" resented the inspectors atti-
tude. Though I knew nothing of
Somers, n didn't altogether like
him, yet, I saw no reason to think
Ill of the dead. until circumstances
warranted it.
Further search brought a thick
roll of money, ON loose silver. a
key-ring with seven or eight keys,
eyeglasses in a silver case. handker-
chiefs. a gold pencil, a knife. and
such trifles as any man might have
in his pockets. but no directly item
tifytng piece of property.
r. S. was embroidered in tiny
white letters on the handkerchief,
and a monogram sR. s. was on his
seal ring.
His jewelry, which was costly. the
were magnificent pearl studs. a
watch fob. set with a black opal and