Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1920-09-27

consequences of it must be met.
Doctor Mason reappeared, and in
response to our inquiries. he said
that Mrs. Van Wyck had regained
after by her maid and by Mrs. Car
stairs.
II shall now telephone for the cor
oner.' he went on. II that
Morland will taxi charge Of his ia
theirs affairs: and I think that Miss
Barbara should be told at once what
has happened"
l couldn't help admiring the poise
and practical good sense Of Doctor
stefan Of the Van Wycks for many
years. and whatever his personal
feeling toward the head of the house,
he now remembered only his profess
SIGNAL responsibility and acted ac-
cordinEly.
While he was telephoning the cor
oner. a young man came into the
study. who was a stranger to me.
rs that you. Lasseter?" said Nor
land: looking up. "a tragedy has oc:
CURED, and my father has been kill.
ed; by himself or another, weE:don't
know Morland spoke mechanical
~, almost as il he felt it incumbent
upon him to explain the situation.
I 0 o discovered that Barclay Las
setter vas Mr.. Van Wyck's secretary.
He did not live in the house, but
was the tallest man I had, ever seen;
of slight build, with a dark. some
what sinister face. 1 couldn't
help wondering il he were in any
way implicated in the tragedy. Like
the rest ofrus. he was self-possessed,
and: though shocked, seemed anxious
principally, to- do anything he might
to help. a,s,- - T-
Gould it have been the work OF
been s~tolen?"
II don't know" 1 replied. as nc
one else spoke. do you miss any.
thinc?"
Lasseter glanced over the desk
and. taking some keys from his
pocket, opened one or two drawers.
"Check-book and petty cash ali
right" he said briefly. Haven't you
looked in the safe?"
no 10 to follow up Lasseter's sug.
igestion. .. 49, "
4 j heard no sound at the doorway
but seeing Doctor .Mason's eyes turr
from the telephone in that direction
l looked. too, and saw Mrs. Carstair.
come in. ri
She entered noiselessly. as she al
ways moved, anu LuOuSn Sne wa;
wearing the same white gown 1 hat
admired earlier that morning, sh,
appeared altogether different, N,
longer was the smartness Of her cos
tune its chief characteristic. But
and it must have been owing to tn,
woman's wonderful dramatic abilit
her white linen garb had the efrec
lof the. uniform of a trained nurse
With "a swift, comprehending glance
Il CHI 10NlSAl ~ nrv4~,r - - -. r---
and then, without a word glided t
the chair where sat the still figure o
David Van Wyck. ~.
she betrayed no trace Of self-con
seriousness, indeed, she seemed ur
aware of u presence, as she stoo
Hooking at the dead mans face. The
she spoke. : ~.
4, ut was suicide she said. with a
air of certainty. "Mr. Van Wyck wa
an unhappy man, and he sougf
refuge in DEATH"
For the first time. she assumed
melodramatic pose. and stood, lool
, ing at US all. as II to challenge cor
tradiction.
II know what you mean." beea
e Morland .hotly; ..but it is not true
Ny father wa not an unhappy man
: Mrs; carstairs, merely save
shoulders, and said nothing. wit
!. her hanging hands lightly ciasped
$ front Of her. she stood. cool and sci
possessed, while Morland went o
: irately.
"since you have said that, Mr.
! Carstairs, please explain yoursel
Why do you say my father was u,
9 happy?"
81 speak Of what T. know" she r,
! turned. her gaze at him. not fincl
Sing. But I deny your right to que
.Ition me concerning my knowledge
II you know anything that cs
s help to throw any light on this. q
Occurrence. 1t sis. your duty to tell
g Mrs. Carstairs,' said Doctor Maso
I speaking rather sternly.
p when 1 am questioned by autho
g ity, 1t will be time Tor me to speak
.-fshe returned, calmly. n
\ Her manner and voice-even h
9 words-seemed to hetoken that 81
e was In possession Of crest ,secre,
but I bad m intuitive conyictiob tn
. 1T was only pretense. ii felt sure 81
wanted to appear se~nsationallv III
portant; and wondered If 81
9 meant. In anyway tu make troub
fof Anne 81
] think Accommodation w6is.
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