Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-04-12

NO. sir. As have said. I went
TO Mr. Crevoling Mt his club"
You did not return hrrc?"
Not until ton minutes ago.' The
Vnict vuic" rang out firmly.
hon you saw Mr.. Crcvcling at
his club did he mention who was TO be
his guest hercT Did he at any time
say anything which would lead YOU to
lnter the identity of this person?"
lie did not, sir" Hills tone was
| SUI iirm, but for moment his eyes
shilteu ana then returned as inscrutable
us eyer to those of the inspector.
=, Nherc have you been staying since
Mr. trcvclinS has made his home at
| his clubY'
| lierc, sir. 1t was evident tha.
the valet intended TO render no assist
nhce to the inquiry beyond the tcrsc
and literal replies demanded of him,
but inspector Druct persisted.
you were acting az carctaker also?"
No, sir. Two of the other servants
-ltollins and his wife. the butler and
cook-remained hero for that: the rest
ot the staff except Mrs. Crcvcing'g .
maid were dismissed when Mrs Crcvc-
ing went to the country and Mr..
Creyeling to his club"
The inspector exchanged significant
glance with MrCarty. Who still bovcrrd
quietly in tho background.
Mrs. Crcvcling usually loft homo
for such protraCtcd periods. and al
STAFF" '''''''
Again there was that shade Of hcsi
tation and then the valet responded:
No, sir. The staff was usually re-
tanned at half pay when it was intended
to reopen the house again within n
short time, but | understand that this
season Mr.. and Mrs. Crevcling had
pade other pans"
'What other plaus?'
Once more the valet shrugged.
cannot say. sir. except that some
mention was made of travelling. | have
received no instructions for the future
| feel sure, though. that was not to
be dismissed or Mr.. Crcvclng would
have said something to me about it,
How long have you been in Mr..
| Crcveling's cmploymcntY'
For eleven years. sir.
Inspector Druct 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 ono foot to the
| other, the first sign Of nervousness
which he had displayed throughout the
interview save his momcntnry shock at
the intelligence of his masters death and
the manner of it.
''They aren't in the house pow. Dc
you Know whore they have gomez
NO. SIR: Ihcre was no surprise
in the valct's tone, but a sort of defiant
reserve beneath the slightly ironic defer
/ ,,,hiah ph,,ipngl,y ,nttlp1 hn In.
speCtor.
- on knew, however. that they were
to be absent last ight? want thu
story, Hill. No hedging!
Rollins. the butler. told me tha
Mr.. Crcvcling had given him and hi
wife holiday. but they were to b'
back carly this morning, to prepare fol
Mrs. Creveling s Homecoming:
- Homecoming ! repeated inspector
Druet sharply. 1ou SAID Jus
now -
"I beg pardon. sir. The quie
voice fOrcstallcd him. 81 meant to 50!
that the house was not to be rcopenct
again with the stan TINS season. In
manner Of speaking, it is never closec
when the Carctakcrs are here, and som
one is always left in charge. | under
stood that Mrs. Crcvcing was to re
s i imn@ 'l'e' &c ,aHT,o"nt;a, hofnra stort
lew unys h "i fpTp"r"''UT irunn ri,h OEt Wr Cr"vc
ing upon hcr Journey win Mt: .teSe
ling. The butler ana co3E' lVonhe-
the maid-and mys"lf could. OF course
have given sufficient service II no ch
tcrtaininG wer" contemplated;
The inspector mcdltatcd Tor mo
ment. =,
"'Why did Mr., CrEveIing give tn
butler and cook holiday, Yesterday, o
all times. when he intended 10 rc%tiT'
some one hero, for supper last nlght!