Evening star., 1921-08-23
HOW MANY CARDS?
BY ISABEL OSTRANDER.
Ashor Of The Island Of Intrigue "Suspen "Ashes Ase
0oSSrsoAe. %
BY ISABEL OSTRANDEl

this evenings so-called scientific test
has been farce, trick! AS you
have yourself stated. / am at, liberty
to reply or not. as l choose. In this
instance do not choose.
Then suppose l tell you?" Ter
hume rose and lowered above the frail.
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 ap-
pointed you the guardian of his
daughter and her 5000. 900, you were
on the brink of ruin. Her money
tided you over that crisis, but you
continued to speculate with it until
were at your wits end. for she would
soon have come Of age and demanded
the accounting you could not give,
when Creveltng came along and
wanted to marry her. She had no love
Tor him, but he offered to go into
all the influence and pressure to bear
upon her that you could command.
Knowing the mans dissolute char
acter and unsavory reputation, you
nevertheless literally forced your
niece into the marriage. But your
partnership has not been a success
and Creveling's extravaganza has de-
RIeted even his once enormous capital.
He demanded 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 account
ing 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 prosecute.
He had been particularly abusive
lately and you did not, know what to
DO; humiliation. perhaps prison, stared
you in the face. Did not q way out
suggest ss II, itseif to you. say. on Wed;
your mind, though; you put the pistol
back. but the next day you took 1t out
once more and this time It disappeared
with you-the next day few hours
before Mr.. Creveling was found shot"
This is infamous" Alexander ex-
ing me Of the murder of my partner.
my niece's husband! You go too far.
sir-!'
Il am prepared to go farther:" re-
Lorted Terilune. After leaving your
Office you went directly to your rooms
and did not leave them until dinner
time. You dined at your club. played
usual group OF friends, and returned
to your rooms once more at II. But
you did not remain there, Mr.. Alex
ander! You went out again at mid
night and did not reappear for two
hours or more. Where were you dur
ing that periodT'
Az though warding OFF blow Alex
ander raised his hands to his stricken
face and in the gesture there was
something at once SO helpless and
so deeply humiliating that John
ORourke sprang impulsively to his
feet and placed his hand upon the
older mans shoulder.
Look here. sir!" he cried. expos
tulating to Terhune. you are car
rying things a little too far! I don't
know what you mean about the pistol
and all that. but do know Mr.. Alex
ander and know that what you are
trying to accuse him Of is not to be
Alexander looked up with a faint
tinge Of color in his cheeks and a sud
den fash Of fire in his eyes. :;
y thank yop' my boy; After all,
he rose to his feet and confronted the
criminologist. '1 did take Grayson's
pistol to my rooms on Thursday after
noon; I did go out again that night
at IL and I remained out for two
hours or more. I do not propose to
to you: in fact. I decline absolutely
to apeak further in your presence,
but II Inspector Druet and Mr..
O'Rourks will accompany me to my
rooms now will produce the pistol
which Grayson can identify and
shall account for my actions to the
proper authorities"
'sYou will explain here and now!"
thundered Terhune, but the inspector.
who had also risen. touched his arm
significantly.
II wouldn't press him. II I were
you" he said rapidly in an undertone.
TT he can produce that pistol your
case falls to the ground, you know.
and you'll get US as well as yourself
in a mighty awkward position. TIL
go with him a. he suggests and phone
the result to you"
Terhune shrugged.
81 do not need or desire any credit
in this case, II that IL what you fear"
he said with cold displeasure. 1.-THE
police department is s'we1come to what
evsY public acclaim may be foFthcom-
ing, but having alone worked out the
solution Of the affair to this point. ]
should naturally like to eosnpletS III"
Have You one scrap o.. reA ovl.
dsnee sssaast h!M. y: TsEs.aer
led him aside. ""The pistol that killed
Creveling is down. at. .1hea49uarters,.
You know. Have you onS witness