Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-01-16
tcon,inued From Last sunday)

Continued From Last Sunday.)
1T was-horrible" She closed her
eyes for a moment. Richard can
tell you moro about that than l can
when he is better for he and Gene
were the first TO see him after Peters
came rushing down. IL only caught
one glimpse before they took me
away; and the girls weren't allowed
to go in at all"
How did II occur?" the detective
asked patiently. Please try TO tell
me all you know or it. Was your
nephew in good health and spirits
aside from his natural grief for his
mother, mean"
For the frs; time MISS Meade hest
tated.
We'll, no." She admitted at length
"Hc adorcd my sister, OF course; and
he fell; her death deeply. He had been
in nervous, eXcitable condition for
months; and the shock " losing her
increased his nervousness. lie started
violently at the sound OF an uncx-
pccted voice or the abrup; closing OF
door; and he had been losing weight
rapidly. IL think he had had some
trouble over money matters with his
stepfathcr. but Mr.. I.orne must tell
You about that; ! really try to keep
out OF family affairs as mitch as pos
s!blc
Las. Wedncsday--a week ago yes
terday-he did no; come down for
breakfast, nor ring for any to he
brought up 10 him. Cissic had hers
in bed. ] remember. and Randall
my youngest nephew, who is an in
ralid--was not we'll enough 10 come
down; but Mr.. Lorne. Nan and my
self were in the dring-room. was
pouring coffee when Gene appeared;
and his stepfather asked him IL
Julian were up. lie said that he
didn't think SO, he had not heard
him moving about Mr.. Lorne was
annoyed, because Julian had an APP
poiniment TO go downtown with him
that morning, and finally he seat
Peters UP 10 call him"
Miss Meade pauscG: and Odcll. who
had watched her closely throushou;
her narration, marvcled.
Her thin hands We're claspcd tight
" in her lap; but her voice WAS
steady and quietly mcduiated and
her high bred face as eNprcssionlcss
as 4 mask. what unknown rcscr-
vo!rs OF strength and sclf-contro! lay
behind that meek exterior. And this
was the woman whom he had thought
a spiaeless, colorless personality.
we continued orr meal as Peter.
went upstairs. when after quite an
intervsl--it must have been FIVE
minutes at least--we heard most
dreadful cry which brought US all 10
scrambling and stumbling downstairs
screaming out with every breath in
that f-!ghttu!. hoarsc way When he
reached the dininS-room door here
he chung 10 It as il 10 keep from
falling and his face was the color
OF gray blo;ting paper. For Gods
sake. go up, sir" he said 10 Nj.
Iorne. For Gods sake, so up"
That wa. all they could get out Of
him, and Richard rushed upstairs
with Gene after him. Nan ran over 10
but he would only Troan: and passed
them and hurried upstairs myself
When ! reached Ju!ian's room Gene
was lying face downward across
the bed and roa.hs tri.n side to side
and crying terr!Aty:, and Eich> was
standing in the doorway leading TO
the bathroom staring down at some
uins which lay al his feet.
y went TO him and there lay our
poor Julian. simply cannot tell
YOU. Sergeant Odell. 1t seemed as
if wave Of blood had engulfcd him
and then ebDed !; wa.a-a shambles.
covered my face with my hands
and tot;crcd back, and then Richard
came TO h!mse: and led me away
And tGcy tell me II was such 4 tiny
wound in his throat. just fractional
slip of the razor. The least uncXpcct.
cd noise might have been the !uno-
cen; cause. ON, he should not have
attempted 10 slave himself while he
was so nervous
Her hands Suffered for moment.
and then srippcd the arm. OF thu
chair, and the detective saw her FACE.
twitch once and settle again into its
maskl!kc nxiiy.
What noise could ,hcrc have
been?" Odcn asked was any on.
else on ule ;hid moor al tina, ,imee"
NO Nan has the front room d.
rectly opposite, bu; she is tho carl!,s,
riser Of us all; tho other TWO arc
guest chambers and were umoccup!.d
There are always uols"s about an. OLD
house like this. thong. Poor Julian
might have heard the banging If an
outside shutter from the rear. OF on.
Of the doors might have closed. Thcr.
was quite Il high wind that morning
as recall il ana all the window,
were open. There can be no o,he,
way TO account for it, Sergeant Odcl
No one could have gotten into IN,
house, and who-wto would hay.
!, wanted his life"
Who wanted TO take his broth
L .er's last night. Miss Meade. or nil
stepfather's this morning" Odell su.
gested quietly.
THAT is what is tor;ur!ng me" sh,
Y exclaimed The sheer purposelcss
ness OF such an act. The boys hay.
been IA little wild. am afraid
but the~ gave done no harm. and NJ
one could bear such terrible en:ai;
against either Of item. And Richard
s Mr.. Lorne, who could want 10 harm
him? That is why IL all seems lil;