Evening star., 1921-08-06
HOW MANY CARDS?
By ISABEL OSTRANDER
uor of 1.-THE Intrigue "Ashs to Ashes ETC.
Copyright Robert M. Mcbride . Co.
der, his partners in better posi-
ton to inform you on that score than
By ISABEL OSTRANDER

der. his partners in a better posi-
I am.
Now that 1 think of it, it seems to
me that Creveling has been bit
queer lately; not Respondent exactly.
but moody. Perhaps there was
something praying on his mind"
speak, but closed them again, and
McCarty saw in a sidelong glance
that she was still staring fixedly at
her husband, who kept his eyes stu
diously lowered. A dull flush had
risen beneath the freckles and an
odd note of constraint had come into
his voice.
ITS your opinion then that he
met with financial reverses?" Nc
Carly affected to take no note of the
change in Mr.. O'Rourke's manner.
Il don't say that; the fact is that
have no opinion whatever on the
matter" The young man raised his
eyes slowly. "rve known him for
several years as one man knows an
other in the same crowd, especially
when their wives are on an intimate
footing, but nothing has ever hap
pened to bring US closer together
than on a basis of general goodfel-
lowship He has never discussed his
affairs with me and he'd be far more
likely to confide in Doug. Waverly or
Nick Cutter. You've seen Waverly.
you say?" Couldn't he suggest any
motive for suicide?"
mo more than yourself. sir"
But you haven't interviewed Cut
ter yet. have you?" There was sim
gular note of eagerness now in the
younger mans tones.
mo, sir; I've not had time" Nc
Carly picked up his hat from the ta-
BILE where e ns he had nao1s Placed @ It and and
good day. my lady. and thank you
for seeing me. I'm sorry if I've
"T'm not my lady here. you
know" She smiled family as she
gave him her hand You say that
you're not officially connected with
sad affair. Mr.. McCarty? 1t is a pity,
for we shall both be interested nat
urally in learning the truth; I mean
the-the motive for the suicide. At
any rate, you will come to see US
now that you have found US, won't
you? I have a warm spot in my
heart, as John has, for a friend from
the old country, and there will al
ways be a welcome for you"
"'Welcome?'" Mr.. O'Rourke ad-
vanced and held out his hand. II
should say there would be! We've
got to have good, long talk about
rascal! You must come and dine
with US soon, just we three together.
and we'll celebrate the reunion in
the proper way. In the meantime, If
there's anything I can do to help
your friend. the inspector: to clear
up this matter of poor Creveling' 8
death just let me know"
Thank you. SIR"
Don't Sir me" He laughed
genially. IT was Johnnie when we
went fishing together, aye, and
poaching. too!-good-bye. Don't for
get to drop in on US whenever you
can"
Mccarty took his leave of them.
conscious that Lady Peggy's troubled
eyes followed him questioningly to the
very door. There was more than one
question in his own mind also as he
strobe off down the avenue. What
sudden thought had wrought the
change in 1.-The" O'Rourke's manner?
At first, frankly admitting that he
Creveling's part. he had promptly
hedged and attempted by suggestion
to shift the responsibility of re-
ply to other shoulders. notably those
Of Mr.. Nicholas Cutter. Why? Had
he indeed accepted suicide as the So
he secretly incline toward the con-
viction held by Mrs. Creveling?
Whatever his opinion in the case,
it was evident that his wife had her
doubts, in spite of her air of amazed
incredulity on learning Of Mrs. Grew
elings attitude. That slip she had
made in saying that both she and
Ter husband would be Interested in
learning 1.-The truth" and then
changing it quickly to motive for
! suicide" had been slight but signif1-
cant, yet her surprise had been as
genuine as McCarty's own at her
husbands hesitancy and change of
front.
What did she know or suspect?
McCarty had had his own reasons for
disclaiming any official connection
with the Investigation, as we'll as for
the assumption, of unquestioninR be-
lief in the medical examiners dag
nosis, but had Lady Peggy's wom-
anly intuition warned her OF its fall
lacy. or was there something more
! tangible in her mind and that of
the O'Rourke, some doubt or sus-