Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-05-10

sseet "Tpll me wnat tu'es " go"
su,vSi s,rS with the word 'bookkcepery
'"W'ar," Alexander resp9nueu prompt
10 and then seemed to stifen.
"iswcjs." There had been anothe
'nISs Terhnne smiled but he shook his head
"risgrscc sTpS !" The reply came in mere
whisper. 80. ,,, arayerr ~ II wn,
s.0, time that Tcrhune had sug
me VI a nbrosc instead OF single wort
tSW WcCnrty looked at him IN amaze
usn, but his eyes were quickly drawf
IA the older man. a -,
Alexander stammcrcd.
h.W'hat did Grayson, your bookkccper
,. ~ m' thc lower left. hand drawer ol
ha'e dc"k >" Tcrhune suddenly dropped
ns nrctrnso " of continuing the test, but
sn ~ ,bo tcnsity Of the moment no one save
,n.Tortr ~ T and Inspector Druct appeared
MeSoto tho fact. "What did you take
yO.,r wv Tint drawer on Wednesday after
nyn .n"n md then put back again? You
mvy ms,e seen with Il in your hands! You
w. w. .rrn when you removed 1t see.
VA tirnc on Thursday. just before clos
ins @ hour. What was II, Mr.. AleXan-
def''
az don't know! I don't understand
%, !" AlCyandcr's fingers twitchch
sSr nsSrvously. II took nothing from
tbat drawer---'
'naa "sholl hal / tell you?" Tcrhune inter-
rrDtsd swiftly. at was Grayson :
sprt sr,ny pistol. Where is It now? What
did W you do with it?'
"I-I took It home! Tine
voice uinvcrcd and died away INTO h-
isnce and Alexander sat gazing as
thouOh fascinated into the face OF MS
inquisitor.
"For what purposc2" Terhunc could
NOT ouito conceal the hint of cxultaton
which crcpt into his tones nor the
slonce of triumph which he shot at the
inspector and McCarty.
but, as though BY miracle. George
Alexander seemed to have recovered his
noise and nc braced himself in his
chair. IL,
"i shall not tell you," he spoke with
ouiet dignity, 81 perceive now that
tbIs evenings so o-callcd scientific test
has been but a farce. a trick As you
have yourself stated. ! am at liberty to
reply or not. as | choose. In this in
stance do not choose.
"Thcn suppose tell you?" Ter
\ hume rose and lowered above the frail.
n dapper figure in the chair. You have
been unfortunate in your speculations
In Wall street for years and when your
brother died and his will appointed you
the guardian Of his daughter and her
5000, 700. you were on the brink Of ruin.
Her money tded you over that crisis
but you continued 30 speculate with
Il until little by little you lost 1t all.
You were at your wits end, for she
would soon have come Of age and de-
nanded the accounting you could not
give, when Creveling came along and
wanted to marry her. She had no love
for him, but he offered to go into part
nership with you and you brought all the
influence and pressure to bear upon her
that you could command.
Knowing the mans dissolute char
actcr and unsavory reputation you
nevertheless literally forced your niece
into the marriage. But your partner
ship has not been a success and Crevp-
lings cxtravagance has depleted even
HE once enormous capital. He de-
nanded an accounting from you of the
money left in trust with you for his
wife and you are in no better position
now to render such an accounting than
you were when she was girl: worse. in
fact. for whereas she. for the sake Of
the family name, would have hushed the
affair up, Creveling had threatened to
expose and disgrace you, IL not prose-
cute.
HE had been particularly abusive
lately and YOU did not know what to
do; humiliation. perhaps prison, stared
Jou in the face. Did not n way out
suggest itself to you, say, on Wednes-
day. Mr.. Alexander? You changed your
mind, though; you put the pistol back.
but the next day you took it out once
more and this time it disappeared with
yeu-othe next day. a few hours before
h MI. Crcveling was found shot
This is Infamous - Alexander ex-
claimed. You are practically accusing
me Of the murder of my partner, my
nisce's husband. You go too far,
sir--n
Il am prepared to go farther" re-
iorted Terhunc. After leaving your Of
nee you went directly to your rooms
ana did not leave them until dinner
ume' You dined at your club. played
rubber or two of bridge with your
usual group of friends. and returned
your rooms once more at II. But
you Old not remain there, Mr. Alexan-
oer' iou went out again at midnight
dnd oid not reappear for two hours or
periOdf'
AS though warding off q blow Alex
ahaer raised his hands to his stricken
!eGe and IN the gesture there was some
ming at once so helpless and 80 deeply
Illuminating that John O'Rourke sprang
itnpIlsiveiy to his feet and placed his
"Snq upon the older mans shoulder.
LOOK here, sir - he cried, expos
iaa'lhgly to Terhune. you are carry
hns thlngS little too far. | don't
any "nSw yhat you mean about the pistol
aug all mat but l do know Mr.. Alex
t.N; tmdsr and know that what you are
,ItSnS TO accuse him of is not to be
N'Vusht OF for minute !"
.Me1ander looked up with faint
Ss SSse VI color in his cheeks and sud
Oen haSh OF fire in his eyes.
A,oos thank you, my boy. After all,
rn.. .ou goes tell, doesn't IT," Slowly he
70 MS feet and confronted the
n;stslnnoioglst Il did take Grayson's
svOi Do"n. 70 ny rooms on Thursday after
10 "a oid go out again that night at
moso u l remained out for two hours or
nlsna.;ll 90 not propose to offer any ex-
fdaS1n d.aun OF my conduct to you; in fact
vou1 S,e'ine absolutely to speak further in
% sOS presence, but If Inspector Druet
"a I M Mr, u hourke will accompany me
nis,n rooms now l will produce the
bS' sbaIi winch Grayson can identify and |
pron., s account for my actions to the
~9Rer authorities - ~
] hrrJ'u Jou VIII explain here and now!"
Who b'rrrH hnS Terhune, but the inspector,
,jsn,s"n""nn s""n also risen, touched HIS arm
yor :, wouldn't press him, If | were
III ne SAID rupidly in an undertone.