Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-01-30

lie Found the hoy
Critical" The hoy broke OF
suddenly. his thin. sallow. ciaw-liks
hands clenohed. I've had nothing
else 10 do but study them. hang it,
know them all backward. like Il tc,-
low who's marooncd on some desert
island with a few books by indincr-
cnt authors"
odcll nodded understandingly.
Even before Julias death I was
waiting: l have felt as though there
was some one else in the house. an
other personality hiding behind "a
familiar one-hut all this mus, sound
like rot to YOU"
scDY no means" Odell seated him
- himself where he could see
every changing expression on that
dark, saturnire. strangely old face.
We know. you and ]. that there is
some one in this household who. IL
not the prime mover in this series
Of events. is IT least an accomplicc.
You can't shut your eyes to that
fact"
Il don't want TO, sergeant" the
boy rctortcd srimly. You say that
when brought matters to head
| last night | rrccipitated the attacks
upon Gene and dad. That prcsup-
poses the idea that some one at the
dinner table is guilty. II is rather
4 rotten thing for a fellow to face,
but at any cost this damnahle bust
ness has got to stop! .ifter all. il
Is only what has been in the back
Of my head for more Than 4 week
The devil OF ii is that can't see any
motive, nor, we'll as I think | know
the family and small as my regard is
for most of them, could l believe amy
one OF them capable OF conceiving
and carrying out such q scheme.
Gene is too weak and cowardiy
for onc-you see. | am perfectly
frank with you. The girls are out
OF il. I'm sure; Mans only "A serious
minded kid. and Cissie is a selfish.
calculating little beast, but there is
nothing of the potential murdcrcss
| in her makeup. Aunt l:ilic is afraid
! OF her own shadow. and snc Wouldn't
| hurt mouse: while as for dad
we'll. he worshiped mother and her
death nearly killed him; SO If AL
| these accidents were the work OF
one person that lets him out. More.
over. he wouldn't have deliberatel!
thrown himself downstairs to aver
a suspicion which didn't even exist
nor did he have an opportunity las
night. as far as l can learn, to tam
per with that top step. Old San
Titheredge stayed overnight an,
| shared his room"
IT HERE was something's touch
Of cynicism. the shadow OF
sneer-in the boys tone. which mad,
odcil sean his face more closely, bu
he merely asked:
And the servants"'
Peters is :. rompous old fool, ant
think he has only beaten 1t be
cause he is scared stin. Marcel,a !:
stupid and shrcwn at the same time
like so many of the peasant class i,
France. but she's loyal and Graz.
about all OF us lane is n blockhcad
and Gerda-wcll, what do you thinl
OF Gerda yourself, sergeant"
y suggestion OF that siEnifica n
| once NOR
about his bloodless lips as he pu
the question: and the detective re
piled noncommitta"y: .
she appears TO be very superio
sort of maid"
The boy chuckled dryly.
"CaEey. aren't you. Not that
blame you. suppose I'm under sus
picion myself along with the rest
And the opinions I've expressed q
you OF my family aren't exactly duti
full. are they? The fact is that
have no more use for any OF then
than they have for me, and plair
speaking Is one OF the few indul
Ecnces left to me. Aunt Eftie is tn,
only one who hasn't treated me eve,
since ! can remember ms though
were some sort OF blight on the fam
iiy Not that I'm looking for sym
pathy.' The black eyes flashed. "rn
not Trying TO make out brief 70,
myself sergeant. but / wouldn't take
the trouble TO put any OF them oul
Of the way"
Despite the callous words Odcl
felt certain sympathy Tor the nit.
'u!, repnisive creature lying there
for beneath the bitter contempt hi
read the underlying resentment oil
me Boys lonely. proud spirit. Warped
'honSh his mentality might he by
constant breeding over his iniirmity,
mere had been ring OF sincerity In
ms zone. and the detective responded
quickly:
do not think that you would.
Do' about cHrda-your mother was