The Little River news., 1920-04-14
My great-uncle shook his head per

"It sounds ilnDrobahlC-t0o much like a rOmonce They do not build modern apartment buildings with SC cret passag ways. Space i> far too valuable, anu Uesldes, all pidus have TO be filed with the city's bureau of buildings"
 "But it's there, I cried desperately, q saw it. Rarhara Bradford saw it."
 well he cunforfed me, i've will soon find out about if. have many matters 70 attend 10 today, buf tospor row I shall go np to the apartment, and if there is such a paSsageWay slLail find it and see where it leads
 '"rhen you are not staying in the anartment2"
 No. shali remain at a hotel until my wife returns.
 At this juncture 8 prison attendant approached ana informed him that the time of his visit was up. ImperiouSly my great-uucle waved the man away. Somehow tue possession of great wealth carries with it a manner of eX- pecting obedience from every one that generally is successful The man withdrew, muttering to himself and left us undisturbed.
 Now tell me about the murder MT. Gaston directed.
 Concisely l stated the facts as I knew them. It was shock t0 him to hear that at least two Of the trusted mn I1nfI- Wick and the telephone girl, were of the criminal class.
 Tut. tut. tut" he exclaimed. Just think of it That's the worst of living in big city. You never know what sort of people there are about you. I'll call up Mr. Kent, the owner of the building, this afternoon and have him get rid of them at once"
 Please don't" l cried. "Gorman and I are both convinced that Wick and the girl know something about the murder Don't do anything to let them know that they are under sus picion. So long as they are employed st the GraDddeck we know where to lay hands on them when we want them"
 That's SO" he admitted .tI'li say nothing for the present. AS 1 won't he living there until after this is cleared up, it can make no difference. But, look here, young man, why doesn't shfs Bradford girl come forward and clear you Of this charge? She was with you al the time. She knows you didn't do it.
 "Becaase will not permit Ter to do so," I replied with heat. Il love Bar bara Bradford p
 That's it, is it?" he commented, giv- ing me Quizzical glance from under his bushy white eyebrows.
 T wouldn't for all the world" I con tinHed, have her mixed up in this Her sister is to be married tomorrow. and the scandal might stop the we'd ding; and besides I'm not going to have ii known that she was there alone with me that night in my rooms. l love her 100 well for that. Some day l am going to ask her to be my wife
 He raised his eyebrows.
 And Oh what do you expect to mar Yy?" he inquired.
 "Of course l have said nothing as yet" ha.,tened to explain; i've noth- ing to offer her"
 ''No." he agreed, you've nothing to offer her"--and then with meaning glance he added little word that in spite of my predicament made my heart sing with joy and stirred my ex- peCtntions mightily-"you've nothing to offer her-yet
 But cheer up," he advised as part ing word of counsel "fll get in tcnch with German and your lawyer as soOh as I leave here today, and tomorrow we will Ind out about that secret pas sage you think you have discovered"
 Compunetion that l ever had doubt ed the integrity of his purpose toward me sm0te as he departed. l tried to think of something to say to express my gratitude to him, to let him know how much l appreciated his coming at once to my aid, but the only thing could think of slipped from my lips
 "1 am sorry about the pearls"
 50 am l" he answered grimly, and went his way.
 One thing now l certainly was sure of--his was not the master-m mind that had planned all the criminal deeds. but the mystery of the Granddeck was still as much of a mystery as ever.