Evening star., 1921-07-03
First of ALL" Garth said. Il wan

First of ALL" Garth said, 81 want
her picture
Il haven't any" Mcdonald cried.
But Garth hadn't missed the mans
instructive gesture toward his "a1cn
pocket. Against his protests Garth TOOK
the watch and. as he had foresesn'
found a photograph in the case. The
picture was not of young woman. but
the face was still attractive in an un-
compromising fashion. 1t was this
hardness, this determination about the
picture that made Garth decide that
ton. would be capable of killing.
For her sake and yours. Mcdonald.
Garth said, answer one thing truth
fully. Did she fancy herself any more
than superior servant? Had she
formed for Mr.. Taylor any silly attach
McDonald's reply was quick and as
sured:
''To Mr.. Taylor she was only a
trusted servant. sir, and she knew her
place."
The whirring Of motor suggested
that an automobile had drawn up be-
fore the house. Garth slipped the pho
tograph in his pocket.
IF that is Mrs. Taylor arriving, he
said with an uncomfortable desire to
shrk the next few minutes. "the news
of her husbands death might come
easier from you"
II telephoned Mr. Reed" Mcdonald
said. Hes an old friend of Mr.: and
Mrs. Taylors. told him about the
telegram. and he's probably met her
II viii be here" Garth said. eff she
wishes to speak to me-
X X
LIE heard Mcdonald open and close
IL the front door. Then the widow en-
tered. followed by young man with
an abundance of dark hair curling over
a low forehead and shading eyes trlhe
tob deep set. But at first Garth saw
only the widow, and he marveled that
one SO young and lovely in an ETHEREAL
sense should have been mated with the
elderly invalid upstairs. AS he looked
it suddenly occurred to him that Reed.
might crave more than friendship from
the widow.
She sank on a divan.
'It is dreadful to come home this
way" she said, dreadful! l had never
dreamed of his doing such thing"
said gently, that he killed himself.
There is a curious situation in this
house. Mcdonald daughter, the house
keeper, for instance. has not been seen
since short time before the crime :.
Her lips twitched little. He fancied
hope in her eyes.
III you are able" Garth said. II
would like, you to tell me something
about her"
II have never seen her" she an
Mcdonald had good deal fof influence
over Mr.. Taylor. and l never quite
trusted him. There's no use. You
might as we'll know the truth about
Mr.. Taylor and me. You've probably
heard. We were never quite happy.
quite belonged to each other. But
that is all. 1t isn't true all this gos-
sip that I went west for a divorce,
and 1 don't believe he was the man
to kill himself. If there has been
crime against him I want the world
to know it. want his memory
clean"
Quickly the man Reed touched her
shoulder. For the first time since en-
tering the room he spoke. His voice
possessed a peculiar, aggressive re-
sonance.
Helen, you shouldn't take this
mans suspicion that he was murdered
too seriously"
Garth motioned him to silence
"At such time" he said to Mrs.
Taylor. Il dislike to bother you. but
I'd like to ask one or two questions.
Your mother? Her mindr'
He caught fash of pain across
her white face.
"She has always been peculiar"
she answered, "but she isn't out of
her head, if that's what you mean.
I've always thought it's a habit Of
hers to hide her real thoughts behind
apparent absurities.'
Il had wondered about that" Garth
said, with satisfaction. "One more
thing. There has been talk among
the servants of spirits, of. moans."
She shivered.
II know nothing about that" she
said, except that the house is un-
bearable. My husband, I think, be-
lieved in it little. I've heard him
and my mother talk about a figure
who sometimes walked. I've never
liked lit here. It depresses me too
much. That's all"
Thanks" Garth said. you will
want time to accustom yourself. Rest
assured will do everything can to
get the truth"
AS they went out the resonance of
Reeds undertone reached Garth.
Helen! You are giving this mans
suspicion too much weights He seems
to have no evidence"
After the door had closed Garth
telephoned the inspector, suggesting
that the house be guarded in order
that he might have Mcdonald, Clara,
and the old lady at hand.
Garth hurried to the kitchen. The
night was nearly complete there, but
as he entered, he caught a swift,
silent movement from the servants
stairs. He walked to the entrance.
II thought So"