Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-08-19
THE PARADISE MYSTERY
BY J. S. Fletcher
Copyright 1880. sv Aured A. xnop,. Inc.

|
J 70 the close. He was going to make
anotner move In his own game. while
there was good chance. Everything at
cards cars 'Hncture ; re was throwing excellent
,sn, ne thought. not to play them to ad-
vantage. And so he made straight for
nansford's house, and before he reached
.rn y. met Ransford and Mary. Bewery. who
Wre crossing the close from another
point, on their way from the railway
station, whittier Mary had gone especial
10 meet her guardian. They were
IN such deep conversation that Bryce
served his presence. when Ransford
saw his late assistant, he scowled un-
consciously-Bryce, and the Interview OF
tne previous afternoon, had been much
uneasy feeling that Bryce was playing
some game. Bryce was quick to see
that scowl-and to observe the sudden
start which Mary could not repress-
81 was going to your house, Doctor
don't want to force my presence on you,
better beW or Vivs az any my timembut think you'd
They were at Ransford's garden gate
by that time, and Ransford flung il open
ana motioned Bryce to follow He led
me way into the. dlning-room, closed
Bryce. Bryce took the glance as a aues-
uons and put another in words
! you've heard of what's happened
durns ASoat the dsSIs GSlisnswsiNs, he said
Ransford. Miss Bewery has just told
me men@hat :, y, her brother told her What
II have Just come from the police
s.a'ion said Bryce. Coates and Ever
est have carried out an autopsy this
afternoon afternoon. Mitchinston told me the
.well9" demanded Ransford, with no
what them"
"Collishaw was poisoned" replied
Bryce. watching Ransford with a close
ness which Mary did not fail to observe.
II ;uu g N: No doubt at all about It,"
| Well--and what them" asked Rams
FORD stili more impa tiently. ITO be ex,
plieit-what,s all this to do with me?"
- came here to do you n service" b"
answered ,anv Bryce. whether you. like to
as well know it--you're In danger. Col
lishaw Is the man who hinted-as you
neard yesterday In my rooms--that he
could say something definite about the
Braden affair--if he liked"
"Well?" said Ransford.
It's known.-to the police--that you
were, at Collshaw's house early this
RmSsn,ngi Rnaws 7; said Bryce "Mitchinston
Ransford laughed.
Does Mitchington know that over
heard what he said to you, yesterday
| a1ternoon?' ne inquired ..
He couldn't possibly know unless / told
| him. l haven't told hm-Im not going
to tel him. But-he's suspicious al
OF me, of course" suggested Rams
across the room and suddenly faced
round on Bryce. who had remained
standing near the door, do you really
mean to tell me that Mitchington Is
| such fnnl In haIiaya hat 4
poison poor working man-and in that
clumsy fashion," he burst out. "Of
course YOU don't"
., II neyer said ! did" answered Bryce
thinks his grounds for suspecting. He
| confided in me because--well Il was
who found Collishaw. Mitchington is in
possession Of box Of digestive pill:
which you evidently gave Collishaw."
|, Bah" exclaimed Ransford. THE
to me"
He won't do that-yet," said Bryce
at the inquest. The fact is-hes sus-
picious--.what with one thing or an.
other-about the former affair. He
thinks you concealed the truth--what'
edge of Braden which you may OIL
ford suddenly. 1T just comes to this
SuSptStCu VI HuNulk Hdu d Hdnu-
the hand, II you like i'm Braden'.
death. and now OF getting rid Of Coli
shaw because Colllshaw could prove tina
I had that hand. That's about IT,"
ssaf BTyse way of sahsrs M certainly Hsr,
ideas"
what way?" demanded Ransford
III you do know anything about thu
Braden atfair--why not reveal It, ane
be done with the whole thing" suggested
Bryce, That would finish matters /"
Ransford took a Ions, silent look a
steadily baek-and Mary Bewery anx
iously watched both men.
That's my business" said Ransfort
at last. I'm neither to, be coerced
bullied nor cajoled, I'm obliged to yo'
suppose And-I don't propose to sa!
Neither do T.. said Bryce II onl'
And Herewith. having succsssfull.
done all that he wanted to do, he walked
out of the room and the house. an,
Ransford, standing in the window, hi
hands thrust in his pockets, watched hin
go away across the Close.
Guardian !" said Mary softly.
Ransford turned sharply.
Wouldn't II be best" she continued
speaking nervously. 'if-if you do know
anything about that unfortunate man
cion fastening itself on you? YOU"
Ransford made an effort to calm him
self. He was furiously, angry.-angr!
Snsy a sGySs W s s"t6S soSSd Ss "
stupidity that seemed to be gathering.
why should I-supposing that d.
know something, which l don't admit
why should I allow myself to be oSerce'
asked. mo man can prevent suspicion
falling on limits my bad luck II
this Instance. Why should ! rush Z
the police station and say: 'Here-Il
blurt out all | know--everything
"Wouldnt that be better than know
ing that people are saying things?" sh
"' "As to that" replied Ransford "yo
can't prevent people saying things
, especially in a town like this. II
hadn't been for the unfortunate fac
! that Braden came TO- the surgery dool
what OF that?--I have known hundred
: OF men In my tims--aye and forgotte
them! No IL am not going to fan
victim to this device--it all spring
out Of curiosity AS to this last anair-
'Hut-if the man was really poi
4 soned?" suggested Mary.
LET the police find the poisonerr,
said Ransford. with grim smile
Mary said nothing for a moment, anC
Ransford moved restlessly about tn
room.
IT don't trust that fellow Bryce" n
said suddenly. Hes up 10 somethlns
I don't forget what he said when
: bundled him out that morning"
WHAT" she asked.
THAT he would be a bad enemy,
. answered Ransford. Hes posing nov
\ as q friend--but a mans never to be 81
much suspected as when he comes doini
what you may call unnecessary acts O.