Evening star., 1921-08-27
BY ISABEL OSTRANDER.

took the news and how possessed
she was to find out who had shot her
| husband. but 1 might have known
she would be that way. she was SO
| set on Furnishing lisa. 1 haven't found
out yet who the man was that had
supper with Mr.. Creveling and then
killed him. but I've still those letters
, to hold over Mrs. Creveling's head.
| only now 1t won't be any use"
Nor any need, I hope" McCarty
remarked. Where did you hide those
letters. HIP"
The valet hesitated for fraction of
| a second and then threw out his hands
in a gesture of surrender.
In a niche in the upper hall near
Mr.. Creveling's door there's a teak
Chinese vases on it that he was all
ways SO crazy about. Lift of the
vase. sir and you'll see that the litS.
tie marble slab that set in the top of
the stand is loose; the letters are un-
der that"
Well" McCarty rose. I'm going
to see about getting you out of here
and over to headquarters where your
wife Is waiting to see you. Wen have
to hold her-you understand that. of
course. for she wouldn't be admitted
to bail again even if it should drop
from the skies second time. but the
inspector will see that things are
made as easy as possible for her and
we'll do all we can to have her trial
put off. l won't go back on my prom
Use, Hill. I'm going to do my best to
dig up some evidence that will kill
that indictment"
An hour later he presented himself
at the Creveling house. and his eyes
twinkled at the austerity of Rollins
bow.
IF you wish to see Mrs. Creveling.
sir. the doctor says that she is not to
hn n 6sctrr HNa6 hyy ho
that worthy announced with dignity.
"'E says ell be responsible to the
authorities. sir"
That's all right. I didn't come to
see her." McCarty responded. adding
slyly: Surprised you, didn't it. Roll
I'm not surprised at anything the
police does, sir" Rollins remarked.
From the way this case as been AN
died, it wouldn't amaze me IL Sarah
or me was to be took up next"
McCarty chuckled.
shot Mr.. Creveling? No more do l.
out orders are orders! Is Mr.. Alex
ander here?"
"Not yet. sir" Rollins unbent a
trifle. "'E telephoned that e would
be ere in an hour. and 'e must con-
take mo- for an answer"
The butler hesitated somewhat un-
certainly and McCarty asked:
Did he say what he wanted to see
her about. Rollins?"
We'll. sir, e did mention something
about that other gentleman that was
called in. Mr.. Terhune. was so
excited that I couldn't rightly make
out what e meant. but lis language
to me was most unusual: shocking. I'd
call il. in a man of is years! l
gathered that e didn't regard Mr..
Mt Cd
off the case"
McCarty nodded appreciatively.
Il shouldn't wonder. I'll wait here
for Mr.. Alexander" He seated him
self in the nearest chair and ostenta-
tiously pulling a newspaper from his
coat pocket he spread it's ample pages
before him. Then as the butler still
fingered he added: Don't let me be
keeping you from your work. Rol-
Inns"
The other opened his lips to speak,
but thought better of it and with a
nod retired to the pantry. McCarty
waited for a few moments. then
tossed his paper aside and crossing
the hall with noiseless tread he gently
closed the door through which Rollins
had passed. and. turning. crept up the
main stairway.
There in the hall by Creveling's
door, upon it's stand OF carved black
wood, stood a squat, bulging vase
dull red and gold appeared to be end
lessly chasing his own tail From
behind the closed door leading to Mrs
Creveling's apartments across the hall
came the murmur of feminine voices
and McCarty wasted no time in ad-
miration of the specimen of ancient
art. Unceremonious1y lifting the vase
of the stand, he placed it on the rug
and examined the small circular inset
of pinkish marble upon which it had
rested. 1t moved slightly beneath his
fingers. and pulling out his penknife
he pried up one edge. There in a
shallow recess beneath lay a thir
packet Of letters held together by a
rubber band.
Two minutes later the vase was
back in it's accustomed place and Nc
Carly. with an expression upon his
countenance not unlike that supposed
to have been worn by the celebrated
cat that ate the canary. was letting
himself silently out the front door.
(Continued in Tomorrow's starr