Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1920-09-29
SYNOPSIS.

Sturgis, who tells the story. is invited
to the country home Of an old school
sweetheart. Anne vanwyck, whose hus-
band, David VanWyck. a man of i'm
mense wealth, Is many years her senior,
clined to treat his wife tyrannicaiiy.
F!emm1ns stone, who has wonderful
abilities as a detective, is also one OF
the guests.
Stone gives a marvellous exhibition OF
mis- powers of deduction.
q WICK, 1t developes., is determined
TO give away practically his whole for
to be made that evening. Anne and Van
Wyck's son and daughter are bitterly op-
posed to the scheme.
~ The >, library trustees call to complete
The deed Of sift is made out although
not signed The next morning VanWyck
is found. in his study, shot through the
breast.
The dramatic attitude of the house.
keeper, Mrs. Carstirs. before the arrival
or the coroner. seems a bit unusul, she
declaring positively that the man com
coroner a search reveals no weapons in
the room, no clues showing how a burg
lar might nave entered the ROOM, but a
pearl necklace, 'vaiuead at $1oo, 1000, is
a search is made for the deed to the
library and it is found missing. The
VanWyck's decide to hire an expert de.
%tectfve.
CHAPTER VII-Contfnued.
THANK you, Mr.. Mellen," said Bar.
bara. simply; that is the kind of mar
l should like to investigate this case.
l am sure l am correct in my beliefs,
and l think a detective can find the
pearls for us. There is no other
crime to be discovered"
That is what I think" And
moved by a sympathy of opinions
Mrs. Carstairs glided up to Barbara
and took her hands. But she found
herself coldly repulsed, as Miss Van
'Wyck said CURLY. do you?" And
drawing her hands from the clasp OF
the housekeeper, she moved slowly
glance at the still figure of her ia
ther.
And then came the undertaken and
his men. and the dismissed
all of us, except, Doctor Mason.
AS we all walked silently through
the corridor, Morland and Barbara
turned aside into Anne's room.
asked them to assure Mrs. Van Wyck
of my sympathy. and to tell her how
glad would be if I might do any
thing for her. The message sounded
pe%rfunctory. but 1 think I had never
said sincerer words.
The rest of us went various ways
Archer going off to his W room
and Mrs. Carstairs toward the serv-
ants wing.
l e to the library, and after a
short time, Morland Joined me there,
How is Mrs. Van Wyck?" I in
quired. &,
She's composed" he answered
briefly; but exhausted from the
shock. She is entirely unable to dis
cuss details of arrangements, and
says for Barbara and myself to man
age things as We choose. She sends
thanks for your kind message, and
hopes to see you later in the day."
My heart gave a throb at this, for
though I was longing to see Anne. /
wanted the suggestion to come from
her. g..
Then of course you will take com
plete authority" l said to Morland,
who sat on the edge Of a table.
moodily swinging n foot back and
forth.
YES" he said angrily, III I can
circumvent that Carstairs woman"
I had resolved to be very discreet
on this subject, go only said. "she
is a strange personality"
shes a serpent" Morland NUT
tered, and just then Mrs. Stelton and
Miss Fordyce appeared at the door
way.
"Mayn't we come Ing" begged Mrs.
Stelton, in her pouting. childish way:
we're so frightened and lonesome!"
Beth Fordyce said nothing, but her
big blue eyes were full of tears. as
she looked at Morland.
Certainly" I said. rising: "please
come in and talk to me-"
The latter speech seemed neces-
sary, for, at their entrance. Morland
walked out Of the room without a
word.
Poor Mr.. Morland," said Mrs.
stelton. wringing her little hands,
fussily; II am 80 sorry for him! I
wish I could comfort him."
II think he likes best to be let
alone" said: aside from his
natural sorrow, he IL suddenly loaded
with grave responsibilities; enough
to overwhelm any man."
They will not oyerwhelm thim."tIt
was. Miss Fordyce who spoke, and her
eyes had the far-away look that al
ways showed in them when her mood
was occult. Y shall care for his
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