Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1920-10-12

"AOAAS W RO1HI0uSl LudL AZ S0NAps.
!! changed the subject. and persist
entity led her mind away from the
scene Of the tragedy.
Away dc me 50 much good,
Raymond" Anne said, gratefully, as at
iast we started back to the house;
y always know Just what to say
70, me. You're q real comfort"
You need and deserve comfort,
Anne" I said. gently, and I think you
know you may always depend uponsme
to give o all / can. And, Anne, II
you ever want more Of me-H you
want a assdstance-of II you want
TO- condide. In me-you will do so.
won't you?"
She turned to me with a startled
look. why what. do you mean?" she
asked. and her voice quivered, and she
ialmost gasped for breath.
, l looked her straight in the eyes. Il
don't mean anything" I said, except
that I am your friend through any
circumstance that may come to you.
me-"
Even IL I have been wicked? ?" said
Anne, In a whisper.
Yes; even them but a pang shot
through my heart, not SO much be-
cause Of the words she said, as the
look of horror and despair that came
into her eyes.
The days went by -slowly. On Mon
day he funeral was held, and with
appropriate obsequies the body Of
David Van Wyck was buried. The
house guests had all chosen to remain
at ButtonWood Terrace, in response
to Anne's urgent invitation that we
should do SO. She seemed to have a
dread of being left alone with her
stcp-children. and it became more and
more evident that matters were far
IRON harmenlous between her and
David Van Wyck's son and daughter.
The day after the funeral I had a
long talk with Mr.. Markham.
There Is no doubt in my mind" he
declared, that Mrs. Van Wyck is the
guilty party. We mover can fasten the
crime upon her, for it cannot be ex-
planned how she left the o locked
up. But it must be that she did so in
some clever way"
But there isn't any such way" I
objected. IF it were the mere turn
ing of a key. it might be done from
the other side. but heavy bolts cannot
be shot into their sockets except by a
person" on, the inside i6f the room. And
again. waving the mystery of the
locked room. we are az. we'll justified
in s%uspecting Morland or Barbara as
Anne"
THAT is. true,n agreed; Markham,
But the stilleto was found in her
room. and her maid is missing, and
then there's that mysterious letter.
That mystery must be sifted out. To
my mind it would be better to put the
question plainly to Mrs. Van Wyck
and ask her what it means"
II wish you'd try some other way
first" said. What's HI .use Of being
a detective, if YOU can't trace a letter
to its source without asking anybody
Why, II Fleming Stone saw that letter
he'd soon tell you who wrote it and
what it all meant"
Mr.. Markham didn't like this speech
and I didn't blame him. I daresay ]
ought not to have said it. But he had
so little of what is known as the de.
tcctive method that l. couldn't helr
!, speaking my mind. >
well, I'll tell you one thing I think
wrote that letter. to Mrs. Van wyck
l was certainly her accomplish. Nov
( who could; that be, but tina val ct
Carstairs?' He has acted queer from
the beginning, and I'm going to hun,
him up and make him tell all he
"Carstairs!" I exclaimed in amaze
ment. you don't think Mrs. Var
: Wyck would stoop to receiving letter.
, from a servant"
; "If Mrs. Van Wyck has stopped t.
:. crime, or participation in crime. sht
, cannot be very particular about he,
associates" ~ ~
"But she hasn't stopped to crime
Good heavens, man, don't condemn
her ~unheard!" But ever as I spoke,
remembered that Anne had asked mt
: If I would stand by her even if shs
were wicked! And I said I would. Yes
> and I would. too. wen if she were
!, convicted of the worst crime on tn,
: calendar!
I don't know\ whether it was be
. cause Of my reference to Stone or not
but Markham seemed to acquire new
energy. He announced with great de
= termination that he was going to fine
= . out about that letter, whatever method
. he might have to pursue.