Evening star., 1921-07-17

Weston-I shall charge you with the
murder Of your mistress. Birdie Boil
tom Get up off that bed now
Hes forgotten the rest of his part
anything you say may be '.*ed in
evidence against vou. Miss Weston.
So you'll say nothing, please
The inspector grew red and rIfed'
and advanced upon Reggie. Here.
rs it possible?" Reggie drawled.
"Well. it isn't necessary. anyway.
and he left the Inspector still SWELL
ing.
has since protested, that he never
liked May Weston. Pussy-cat is his
name for her, and he is not fond OF
cats.
From her room he went to the tel
ephone in the hall. and there the in
spector, still rather flushed. found him
again. T,T.,,
"And what might you be:ydoing
tor. with constabulary sarcasm
.Oh. I'm talkink to Miss Bottoms
solicitors. Hadn't you thought Of Of
talking to Miss Bottoms solicitors
Never you mind what l thought
Of. Don't you use that telephone
again. 1 won't have 1t"
"Oh yes you will. Now I'm going
to talk to Supt. Bell" The inspector
was visibly startled For SUBJ fex
% 10? How nice Of you. :" He con-
ferred with the telephone. and at
length: "Dr. Fortune. Yes. Oh. is
that you Bell? So glad. l wish you'd
hampton. One Of my patients MUIR
dered. No. not by me. Quite unusual
case. Yes. it is the Birdie Bolton
case. The inspector in charge ts such
q good. kind man. Sweet race ne mas;
You'll come right on? So glad!
Reggie put down the receiver ana
That's that" he said. and went out.
Samuel, the chauffeur, put away his
picture paper. II want my camera:
Reggie said, and Samuel touched his
hat and drove off. Reggie sauntered
into the garden.
AroRMANHURST, as you know. is a
~ low, spreading house OF COM
Portable Victorian dowdiness. There
are-don't count the attics-only two
stories. 1t is old enough to be quite
covered with climbing plants-ivy on
the north. roses and a wisteria on the
other sides. Birdie Bottoms bedroom
and boudoir looked to the south. and
we're on the ground floor. On the
north of the house is the approach
from the high road. curling drive
through a shrubbery. Birdie Bottoms
rooms looked out upon rosebed and
q big lawn. About her windows
climbed a big Gloire de Dfjon. The
roses beneath were of the newer ny.
brid teas, we'll cultivated. well chosen,
and at their best-a fragrant @ @pomp
'em. poor soul" Reggie thought. and
began to feel sentimental. That sing
ular emotion was interrupted by the
sound Of motor car. He went pack
to the front of. the house to meet 1t.
A big car was drawing up. 1t con-
jumped sdt, rather clumsily. before
the car stopped. He had the good
looks of hero of musical comedy. but
an expression rather sheepish than
fatuous. and pallid complexion:
Il think you are Mr.. Ford" Reggie
came close to him. Il am DR.. Fortune.
Miss Bolton was a patient of mine.; 1
hardly expected to see you so soon.g
Miss Weston sent for me. sir" ME-
Ford recoiled. for Reggie's face was
very close to his. @
INJURED. Did she really?" Miss Wes-
ton had forgotten to tell him that.
Pussy cat! g
well. Flora telephoned for her.. She
said something terrible had happened,
and Miss Weston wanted me. / say
doctor. what has happened?"
Jolly kind of Flora" Reggie said.
well, Mr.. Ford. Miss Bolton has he6n
murdered. FSSa
my God!" said Mr.. Ford. and be
came livid. Is
"And Miss Weston has been charged
with the murder" sg
"oh. my God"' Mr.. Ford said again.
"Oh, damn!" and put his hand to his
head. Here. let me 60 to her." .tfa
"I don't mind" said Reggie, and Mr.
Ford plunged into the house. =.
Reggie remained on the steps watE
ing for fresh arrivals. The goggled
chauffeur moved his car on. out of the
way, descended, and behind lauriiS
tinus lit a cigarette. Reggie, WHO
never smoked them. sniffed disa5k
proval and began to fill a pipe.
A taxi-cab drove up and out OF 1t
bounced plump little man whose coat
looked as II he wore stays. &9S.
II am DR.. Fortune" Reggie saids4
And I'm Donald Gordan, DOCTOR
said the little man, who was eTnphAtt-
cally a-Jew. Moss & Gordon. II
was the name of Miss Bottoms sulief-
.o,s.. p~r dray Ri~t' : rssa
know Door. dear Birdie She was q