Evening star., 1921-07-28
CONTINUED from Yesterdays starr

ing.
"who was Mr.. Creveling's guest?"
The curt question seemed to Viorate
or the air like the echo OF single
the face of George Alexander tensed
Vistbly as he waited for it's reply, but
the valet merely shrugged
81 do not know, sir,
You did not remain. then, TO wait
upon the table,?
NO, sir. AS have said, I went
to Mr.. Creveling at his club.
You did not return here: r,o
Not until ten minutes ago.. Ine
Wallets voice rang out firmly
when you saw Mr.. Crevelfng at
his club did he mention who was to be
his guest here? Did he at any time
say anything which would lead you to
infer the identity of this persons"
He did not, sir" Hills tone was
still firm, but for a moment his eyes
shifted and then returned as inscruta-
Bile as ever to those of the inspector.
Where have you been staying since
Mr.. Creyeling had made his home at
his club?'
Here. sir" 1t was evident that
the valet intended to render no assist
ance to the inquiry beyond the terse
and literal replies demanded OF him.
but Inspector Druet persisted.
also?"
-ROlllnS ana MS "lle, lHS UutiSi anu
cook-remained here for that: the
rest of the stag except Mrs Crevel-
ings maid were dismissed when Mrs.
Creveling went to the country and Mr..
Creveling to his club"
The inspector exchanged a signih,
cant glance with McCarty. who stu
hovered quietly in the background.
Mrs. Crevelnig usually left home
for such protracted periods. and al
way. y,,.. dismissed practically her entire
Again there was that shade of hesi-
tation. and then the valet responded:
NO. sir. The staff was usually re-
tained at half pay when 1t was in
within a short time. but ! understand
that this season Mr.. and Mrs. Crevel-
Ing had made other plans"
What other plans?"
Once more the valet shrugged.
Il cannot say. sir except that some
mention was made of travelling. !
have received no instructions for th-
future; I feel sure. though. that was
not to be dismissed. or Mr.. Creveling
would have said something to me
How long have you been in Mr..
Creveling's employment?"
For eleven years. sir.
Inspector Druet suddenly changed
the tenor of his questioning.
THE butler and cook are not in the
house. When did you see them here
last?"
Yesterday afternoon" Frank Hill
shifted his weight from one foot to
the other. the first sign of nervousness
which he had displayed throughout
the interview save his momentary
shock at the intelligence of his mas
ter's death and the manner of it.
They aren't in the house now. Do
you know where they have gomez"
NO. sir" There was no surprise In
the Wallets tone. but a sort of defiant
reserve. beneath the slightly ironic
difference which obviously nettled the
inspector
"You knew. however. that they were
to be absent last night? I want the
story. Hill. No hedging"
Rollins. the butler, told me that
Mr.: Creveling had given him and his
wife a holiday. but they were to be
back early this morning. to prepare
for Mrs. Creveling's homecoming"
Homecoming" repeated Inspec-
tor Druet sharply. You said just
row
II beg pardon. sir" The quiet
voice forestalled him. Il meant to say
that the house was not to be reopened
again with the sta # this season. In a
manner of speaking. II is never closed
when the caretakers are here. and
some one is always left in charge.
I understood that Mrs. Creveling was
to return this morning with her maid
for few days of preparation before
st"rting upon her journey with Mr..
Creveling The butler and cook.
Yyonne-the naid-and myself could.
of course. have given sufficient serv-
ice if no entertaining were contem-
plated"
The inspector meditated for a mo-
ment.
why did Mr.. Creveling give the
butler and cook a holiday yesterday.
of all times. when he intended to re-
ceive some one here for supper last
night?" he asked finally. "Supposing
the meal were to be supplied from a
services of the butler to wait upon
the table?'
AS though he realized the slip he
had made. the Wallets eyes sought
those of Creveling"s late partner. but
Mr.. Alexander avoided them studi-
ously.
II can't say. sir" Hill responded at
length. Mr.. Creveling told me moth
ing beyond my own instructions"
was it usual for your employer
during his wife's absence to clear all
the servants out of the house in order
to entertain here?'
At the question and it's implication
Hills color changed. but his eyes
, once more met those Of the inspector
levelly.
Il do not know that Mr. Creveling
ever did that. sir; l mean, purposSy.
He frequently had one or more gentle
men here to supper when Mrs. Creve-
ling was away. Sometimes the butler
waited upon them; sometimes did.
think he gave Rollins and his wife
holiday before / asked permission to
have the night to myself on this oc-
caSion.'
Inspector Druet evaded the issue of
the Wallets own movements during the
hours which had passed since IL by
asking:
ladies also on these occasions"
"During Mrs Creveling's absence?"
There was note of shocked incredu-
uty in the servants tones as If he
could scarcely believe that he had un-
derstood the question. Indeed. no.
sir! They were strictly stag sup
pers."
who were the gentlemen Mr..
Creveling entertained here. then?'
the inspector continued. What were
their nameS?"
"Rollins can tell you that better
than I can, sir" Hill tempofized. He
usually waited upon theR. 1t was
only occasionally that took his place
and then the gentlemen were some
times strangers to me. business ac-
uuaintances of Mr.. Creveling's."
You don't know the name Of
single gentleman who ever had sup
per here with Mr.. Creveling alone"
The inspectors tone had sharpened.
"Of course, sir, few Of them. They
standing. those 1 did know; Mr..
O'Rourke has been here once or
awice. and Mr.. Waverly and Mr.. Cut
ter. I can't recall them all at the
moment. sir"
McCarty. unable to contain himself
longer, coughed with elaborate osten-
tation, and after a quick side glance
cd