Evening star., 1921-07-17
By H. C.. BAILEY.

II suppose 1t is murder. sir?" said
Mrs Belts in a tone that suggested she
would like to have the hanging Of Miss
Weston.
II suppose 1t is" Reggie said. He
crossed to the chair in which Miss Wes-
ton had been found sleeping and picked
up from the floor close by pair of
scissors and pointed bodkin with an
"Ah" Mrs. Belts said. That's what
did 1t. Put 'em down. sir. 1 left them
there by her chair for the police to
see"
You think Of everything. Mrs. Belts
said Reggie. and put them down and
went back to the. body Of Birdie Bolton.
That stab in the throat. 1t was not
so deep as well. nor so wide as
church door: it was a small wound to
be mortal. A small. neat wound which
had rare luck to slit the juglar vein.
Reggie looked back at the bodkin and
the scissors. He noticed that Mrs.
Belts had gone out.
dozen places the pallid shoulders and
breast had bled. No one Of these gashes
was serious. They were just such as
might be expected Of those unbandy
that neat. lucky stroke at the throat
which determined the fate of Birdie Boil
ton. The minor wounds suggested
struggle with some one In passion, and
that Miss Bolton had struggled Reggie
found from other evidence. The black
evening dress had been dragged from
one shoulder, and torn. and there on that
right shoulder were the blue marks Of a
hand that had gripped. Reggie's exam
iatn ionbamece more minute.
Ressie's shoulder. Now, sir. if you
please"
Reggie stood up and confropted
pompous. portly little man:
II am DR.. Fortune Reggie said
was" said the little man. with en-
phasis. "She is case for an expert
now. DIR. Fortune"
That's why I was examining her.,
said Reggie. sweetly.
THE little man laughed "A general
practitioner Is not much use to her
now. Rather beyond you. isn't it?"
We'll. I've not made up my mind"
Reggie said.
Don't worry. Don't worry;" He
waved aesfe onH be- in eSs way you
know. Well let you know II We want
you at the inquest. Just for formal evil
dence." Still Reggie did not move: 81
am the divisional surgeon. sir" said the
II was wondering who you WERE"
The little man swung round. Wen
have the room cleared. inspector. he
said.
The detective inspector. who looked
possible. strobe heavily forward
Hope you're not meaning to give
trouble. doctor" he frowned. 'Or III
have to take steps"
Fancy" Reggie said We'll. look
across to the window and looked out
at the roses.
Clear out, please" The inspector
followed him.
Zeal. all ZEAL" Reggie murmured.
and went.
There were two doors to the room.
He did not use that by which they
had come, but the other He hap.
pened to know that 1t opened into
Birdie Bottoms bedroom.
There was some one In the bedroom:
A startled dark face peeped around
the screen by the bed. 1t belonged
to a smart lady's maid.
Dear me. I thought this was the
passage" Reggie said.
"It is Miss Bottoms bedroom-poor
Miss Bolton" The maid had slight
foreign accent.
OF course. 1t .is And you're her
maid. Of course. Flora. isn't it?"
Eyes. sir. Yes. doctor, All. you have
seen Miss Boiton! You cannot do
Miss Bolton is dead. Flora"
II was SO fond of her." Flora sighed.
We'll. ! liked her. I suppose you
heard nothing last night?
"Ah. no. She have sent me to bed
And l sleep so sound"
Reggie nodded. ITS a bad business.
Flora Take me to Miss Westons
Miss Weston: All" Flora said. with
HIM. You think she"
II do not think. feel" Flora
said.
ITS a bad habit. WE'LL
And Flora led the way. She was. a
comely enough in a dark. heavy fash
A tan at a door. at is the doctor.
Miss Weston" from Flora. A sullen
voice. You can come in." and in Reg
gle went.
May weston was a squalid sight.
Her natural prettiness. the prettiness
Of fresh youth, the bloom Of pink and
white. the grace of full. soft line had
all gone from her. She lay shape
less heap on her bed. her evening
dress still on and all crushed and
crumpled and awry. her yellow hair
half down and touzled. her face of a
what do you want" She stared at
Reggie heavily.
gle smiled cheerfully and sat down
beside the bed $50 why are you
Haven't you heardr' she cried.
I've heard and seen." Reggie said.
IT can't do any more there. But per-
her pulse.
I'm not ILL.,"
well. you never know" He let
her wrist go and bent over her. 'Sleep
"oh!" She shuddered: why do you
look at me like that?"
DEGGIE bent suddenly closer, and
~ as suddenly sat up again. Then
he laughed. Like what. my dear?'
She stared at him and her lip quiv-
cred. "You-you! Oh. do you think
I can be mad"
Reggie shook his head. Let's be-
gin quite at the beginning. Let's
preserve absolute calm. You dined
with Miss Bolton last night alone?
After dinner you went to her bou-
doir? That would be about 81"
Yes: yes. Mr.. Ford came Just after
.Ah! And who is Mr.. Ford?"
''We-he has been here good DEAL"
she stammered. "Oh. DR.. Fortune. 1t
isn't his fault"
Young or old. rich or poor-what
is he?"
'Of course. he's young I suppose
he's rich. His father makes engines
or something in Leeds. and he Is in
the London Office 4.
Sounds solid." Reggie agreed. And
why does Mr.. Ford call at p.m.?"
Miss Weston's bushes were renew
ed. He has been very often" she
said, and vrung her hands. II shall