New Britain herald., 1921-07-05

you learned the nature of that wag- er?' he asked, lowering his voice.
 NO. Babs was in so hysterical a condition when she returned from the police court that she gave a very in- coherent account of the whole af- fair, and she has kept her room ever since luncheon,' explained Mrs. Brewster.
 Stone looked puzzled. "I under stood that Jimmie was attentive to Helen Mcintyre and not to Barbara he said. But upon my word, Bar bara appeared more overcome by Jim mics death than Helen. Are you aware that Helen stated at the police court this morning that she was Turn bulls fnancee?"
 "What! Mrs. Brewster actually bounced in her seat. ."You-you as- tound mel"
 T was bit surprised myself" ac- knoWledged the physician. T thought Rochester-however that ia neither here nor there. Helen not only an nounced she was Jimmie's fancee. but as such demanded that a post mortem examination be held to deter mine the cause of his death.'' Mrs. Brewster's pretty color faded and the glance she turned on the doc tor was sharp. Why should Helen suspect foul play?' she demanded. For that is what her request hint ed'
 True Stone pulled his beard ab- sentmindedly. "Ah, here is Col Me- 1ntyre,' he exclaimed, as the portieres before the hall door parted and a tall man strode into the library. ''I called at your office, doctor" he said. Went there at once on learn l ing the shocking news about poor Turnbull. Why in the world didn't | he announce who he was when my daughter had him arrested as burg | lar?"
 His voice, slightly raised, carried I across the room and reached the ears of tall, slender girl who had stood hesitating on the threshold of the din- ing room door on beholding the group | by the sofa.
 Jimmie was thinking of the pre- dicament of others, not of himself" she interjected.
 | What do you mean, Helen?" her father demanded
 Why, how could Jimmie reveal his identity in court without involving us?" she asked. Good afternoon 1 $, and her attention thus diverted, she missed the sudden questioning look which Mrs. Brewster and her father exchanged. Mo- she continued Jimmie sacrificed himself for | others" A heavy paper knife, nicely bal anced between Mc1ntyres we'll mani cured fingers, dropped to the floor as step sounded behind him and the butler, Grimes, stopped by his side. MT. Rochester just telephoned that his partner, Mr. Harry Kent, is out of town, Miss'-powing to the si- lent girl. "Mr. Kent will be back to- morrow added the butler as silence followed the delivery of his message. MT. Rochester wishes to know if he can transact any business for you"
 Please thank him and say mo-" The girls color rose as she caught her fathers disappearing look.
 Harry Kent. suitcase in hand turned the knob of the door bearing the firm name-Rochester & Kent Attorneys-on it's glass panel. As he stepped inside the ante-room which sparated the two offices occupied respectively by him and his senior | partner, ftOCQeSIeT, stranger rose from the clerks desk. "Yes sir?'' he asked interrogative- ly.
 Kent eyed him in surprise. 'Mr Rochester here?" he inquired
 No. sir. I am in charge of the office"
 You are.' Rents surprise in- creased. 1T happen to be Mr. Kent, | iCniOr pa rfner in thiS firm
 T beg your pardon, sir.'' The dap per clerk bowed and hurrying to his desk took up a letter. "Mr. Roches- ter left this for you, MT. Kent, be- fore his departure last night
 His departure!" Kent deposited his suitcase on one of the chairs and tore open the envelope. The note was a scrawl which he had some difficulty in deciphering.
 Dear Kent,'' it ran. Am called out of town; will be back Saturday. Saunders gave me some of his cheek this afternoon, so I fired him. I en- gagged John Sylvester to fill his place, who comes highly recommended. He will report for work tomorrow. Ia ta-Phil.''
 Kent thrust the note into his pock- ct and picked up his suitcase.
 'Mr. Rochester states that he has engaged you,' he said. "Your refer ences-?"
 Here sir.'' The clerk handed him a, folded paper and Kent ran his epes down the sheet from the sentence: ITO whom it may concern" to the signature, Clark Hildebrand. The statement spoke in high terms of John Sylvester, confidential clerk.
 phi1ir, lected a worse time to absent him. self; three important cases were on the calendar for immediate trial anl much depended on the firms success fu1 handling of them. Kent swore softly under his breath; his last warn- ing to Rochester, that he would dis sol-7e partnership if the older man con- tinued to neglect his practice, had been given only month before. Ap- rarcntly his warning had fallen on deaf ears, and Rochester was indulg-