Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1920-10-19
By BRIGGS

glance of surprise at his mother, but
Immediately dropped his eyes again.
She can use a t%ypewritert I
thought to myself, and won't admit
it!
But Stone said, lightly, "Oh, that
doesn't matter. Just write with q
lead pencil. Here is one.
II prefer not to do It," and Mrs.
Carstairs looked at the great detec-
tive with the air of a frightened ami
NAL, who does not understand into
what it is being led.
why not?" asked Stone"
"Because-because-" et~ss
You seem to nave no reason for
refusing. 1t is a small matter. Kinds
ly make a opy at my dictation."
pad to Mrs. Carstairs, and though she
hesitated, she finally took them, as
there seemed to be nothing else to do.
In a low, clear tone, Fleming Stone
read the sentences from the letter,
waiting after each until Mrs. Car
stairs had written it.
The woman looked utterly miser-
able. 1t was evident that she could
not see why she had to do this, but
she feared some underlying reason
that. BODIED ill for her.
In~exorably, Stone continued. One
after another, the short, direful SEN
fences fell from his lips. Mrs. Car
stairs grew whittier and her fingers al
most refused to hold the pencil, but
with indomitable courage she perse-
vered to the end.
After the last word, Stone held out
his hand for the paper, and she mute
ly handed it to him. The rest of us
sat spellbound. There was nothing
theatrical in the episode, it was the
quietest possible procedure, and yet
the incident seemed fraught with in
tense mystery and importance.
Fleming Stone gave the merest
glance at the paper. tore it into tiny
bits and threw it into the waste
basket.
Mrs. Carstairs." he said, and his
tone was almost: careless; -'.youl +
that letter yourself on The typewriter
I'm lis room. It was ~cleverly done.
You used the blank half Of a letter
Mrs. Van Wyck had already received
and the envelope it came in. You
pretended that she had received and
read his letter. Now will you tell
us just why you did this. or would
you prefer to explain it to the coroner
later?"
Il didn't"
1T is useless to say you didn't"
interrupted Stone. 1.-THE proof is
positive. Now I'll repeat my question
iof some time ago. Did you wish to
incriminate Mrs. Van Wyck merely to
divert suspicion from your son. or for
any other r%eason?"
Again anC..r and rage cleaned
from Mrs. Carstairs' eyes. She was
about to burst into a torrent Of Ian
guage.' when she controlled herself,
glanced at her son, and said in a low,
even thrilling tone; Only to save
my son from. possible suspicion!"
madam" said Stone, as If it were a
matter Of no moment. "You are
rather. expert at it. However, II
you'll take my advice, you will do
wisely to adhere to that statement!
Let me suggest that you keep your
other reason to yourself. You may
60" ~
For the first time in my experience,
Il saw Mrs. Carstairs' face wear a
beaten look. She rose from. her
chair. a vanquished woman. But she
had nerve enough to make a slight
hooking bow as, accompanied by her
son, she left the room.
THE whole matter Of that letter
tS0C hoSA1A6S 0dAu clcKIllnR stone
'the case Is still The deepest mystery
to me. I saw at once after I learned
Mrs. Carstairs had written that let
ter. that her prime motive was 10
save that idolized son Of hers from
accusation or suspicion. But anoth-
81, reason. was her hatred Of Mrs. Van
Wyck. ] advised her to keep that to
herself. and as I imagine she win do
80, I doubt II she a do any more
HARM"
How m you sire she wrote the
note?" asked Mr.. Markham, and /,
answer.
1T vas a random shot" said
Stone. smiling q little; although It
wal quite evident how the thing wal
done. But you remember. / asked
.yeu II there were any French
people about. As you see, in thia
letter. the word committee IL spelled
with one I'M" while that might
be . mere verbal error, It gave