Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-08-31
THE PARADISE MYSTERY Y
BY J. S. Fletcher
copvrion. 1890. ey Alfred A. Knop,. rno.

VIII be cleared.
Doing bit underground, eh7" asked
'Wait a bitv answered sackville,
with knowing wink. ITS the least
expected that happens--what?"
Bryce replied that Sackvile was no
matters. He hung about the. clubhouse
until past o'clock. and then, being
we'll acquainted with Mary Bewery's
movements from long observation Of
them, set out to walk down toward
,Wrychester, leaving his bicycle behind
way, he meant to go to the house.
Ransford would be out on his after
noon round Of calls; Dick Bewery would
be at school; he would find Mary alone.
And II was necessary that he should see
her alone, and at once. for since morning
an entirely new view of affairs had come
to him, based on added knowledge. and
he now saw chance which he had never
seen before. True, he said to himself,
as he walked across the links and over
the country which lay between their edge
and WINCHESTER. he had not, even now,
the accurate knowledge as to the actual
murderer Of either Braden or Collishaw
that he would have liked, but he knew
Mary Bewery pointblank whether he was
TO be friend or enemy.
Mary Bewery. like Bryce. had been
having q day of events. To begin with,
ndu TeCelNeu u WlT6 ITOIn lJOU-
don. first thing in the morning, which
had made him run breakfastless to catch
the next express He had left Mary to
make arrangements about his days
work. for he had not yet replaced Bryce,
and she had been obliged to seek out
another practitioner who could find time
from his own duties to attend to Rams
fords urgent patients. Then she had
had to see callers who came TO the
surgery expecting. TO find. Ransford
ing Mr. Folliot had dropped in, to
bring her a bunch of roses. and, once
admitted, had shown unmstakable
signs of a desire to gossip.
"Ransford outT' he asked as he sat
down in the dining room. suppose he
He's away" replied Mary. He went
70 town by the FIRST express, and have
had a lot Of bother arranging about his
Did he hear about this discovery of
asked Foiliot, Suppose he wouldn't
though-wasn't known until the weekly
paper came out this morning. Queer
business You've heard, of course?''
naS Doctor asn, sh9rs ,d% told me"
Folliot looked meditatively at her a
moment.
Got something to do with those other
matters, you know" he remarked. II
say! What's Ransford doing about all
that?"
About all what, Mr.. Folliot7" asked
Mary. at once on her guard. Il don't
understand you"
You know-all that suspicion-and
so on" said Folliot. Bad position for
a professional man, you know-ought to
for that reward Ransford offered?'
"I don't know anything about It," re-
piled Mary. Doctor Ransford Is very
we'll able to take care Of himself, !
think Has anybody applied for yours?"
II he had changed his mind about
lingering, and shook his head.
Cant say what my solicitors may or
may not have sheard-or done" he
know--and ought to be settled. Bad for
Ransford to have any sort of a cloud
over. him. Sorry to see it,
"Is that whv you came forward with
a reward?" asked Mary
But to this direct question Folliot
about the advisability of somebody do ng
something and went away, to Mary's re-
lief. She had no desire to discuss the
Paradise mysteries with anybody:
the previous evening. But in the middle
Of the afternoon In walked Mrs. Folliot,
a rare caller, and before she had been
closeted with Mary FIVE minutes brought
up the SUBJECT again.
II want to speak to you on a very
serious matter. my dear Miss Bewery,"
she said You must allow me to speak
plainly on account of-of several things.
My-my superiority in-in age, you
know, and all that! !"
asked Mary, steelng herself against
what she felt sure was coming. rs it
very serious? And-pardon me--is It
about what Mr.. Folliot mentioned to me
Ii L.. o
going to discuss that with you or with
II had no idea that my husband had
been here this morning." answered Mrs.
Folliot in genuine. surprise. what did
he want to talk about?"
"In that case what do you want to
talk about?" asked Mary Though that
doesn't mean that I'm going to talk
about 1t with you"
Mrs FollIot made an effort to under
her hostess critically for a moment,
proceeded In her most judicial manner.
You must see, my dear Miss Bewery,
that II is highly necessary that some one
should use the utmost persuasion on IN
placing all Of you-himself yourself,
your young brother-in most invidious
positions by his silence! In society
such as-well. such as you get In
rs5hsdFs town rd You know tnsn no a Of
when his---:his character Is affected"
Mary picked up some needlework and
began to be much occupied with It..
"Is Doctor Ransford's character
affeGted?" d. she e,,1ai asked Il wasn't aware
"Oh. my dear, you can't be quite so
as ali that" exclaimed Mrs, Follot
These runlors of course. they are very
wicked and cruel ones, but you know
they have spread, Dear me why. they
have been common talk !"
II don't think my guardian cares two
pence for common talk, Mrs Folliot,
answered Mary. And I am quite sure
l don't"
None of us-especially people in our
position-can afford to ignore rumors
and common talk" said Mrs Folliot In
her loftlest manner. III we are, un-
fortunately, talked about then It 10 our
right in the eyes Of our friends--and
of society If I for instance, my dear,
heard anything affecting my-let me say,
moral--character, should take steps,
the most stringent, drastic, and forceful
not remain under u stigma'-no. not for
one minute!"
"I hope you will never have occasion
to rehabilItate your moral character,
closely over her work. Such a neces-
slty would indeed be dreadful"
"And yet you do not insist-yes, In
sist = on Doctor Ransford's taking
strong steps to clear himself !" exclaimed
Mrs. Folliot. Now that, indeed. Is a
dreadful necessity"
Doctor Ransford," answered Mary,
'is quite able to defend and to take
care of himself. 1t is not for me to tell
him what to do. or even to advise him
what to dc. And--since you will talk
of this matter, tell you frankly Mrs.
Foliiot, that ! don't believe any decent