The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1922-09-12
(Continued from our last issucl


he was wearing, or supposed TO be wear
ing, at the time OF the murder. But he
hadn't hidden the collar Why? Had he
left it out by mistake? So l looked in
the cupboard. 1t wasn't there. Had he
left it out on purpose? If So why?-and
where was it? Where have l seen d
collar lately? A collar all by itself?' And
remembered--what,B Bil?"
Bill frowned heavily TO himself, and
shook his head.
Don't ask me, Tony l can't By
Jove.' lie threw up his head. In the
basket IN the office bedroom"
Exactly"
"But is that the one2"
The one that goes with the rest of
the clothes? | don't know Where else
can Il be? But if 50. why send the col
lar quite casually 10 the wash in the
ordinary way, and take immense trou-
Bile to hide everything else? Why, why,
Why
Bill hit hard al his pipe. but could
think Of nothing 10 say.
Anyhow" said Antony. getting up
restlessly. I'm certain vi one thing
Mark knew on the Monday that Robert
was coming here
CHAPTER XVIII
The coroner, having made lew
commonplace remarks As ~ the terrible
nature VI the tragedy which they had
come to investigate that Afternoon, pro.
ceeded ~ outline the case 10 the jury.
Antony did not expect TO learn much
from the evidence-he knew the facts
OF the case so well by now--but he
wondered if Inspector Birch had de-
veloped any new theories. Ii 50, they
would appear in the coroners tXamina-
tion, for the coroner would certainly
have been coached by the police as 10
the important facts 10 be extracted
from each witness. Bill was the first
to be put through it.
Now, about this letter. Mr. Bever-
ley?" he was asked when his chief evi-
dence was over. Did you see ii at all?'
Il didn't see the actual writing. saw
the back of it. Mark was holding it up
when he told us about his brother,
you don't know what was in it,
then?"
Bill had sudden shock He had read
the letter only that morning. He knew
quite well what was in it. But it would
not do TO admit this. And then just as
he was about to perjure himself he re-
membered; Antony had heard Cayley
telling the Inspector.
Il knew afterwards. / was told. But
Mark didn't read it out at breakfast"
You gathered, however, that it was
an unwelcome letter."
oh, yes"
Would you say that Mark was fright
ened by IT."
Not frightened. Sort of bitter-and
resigned. Sort Of oh, Lord, here we
are again"
There was a litter here aud there.
The coroner smiled and tried to pre-
tend that he hadn't.
Thank you, Mr.. Beverley"
The next witness was summoned by
the name of Andrew Amos and Antony
looked up with interest, wondering who
he was.
He lives at the inner lodge" whis-
pered Bill to him.
All that Amos had 10 say was that
a stranger had passed by his lodge at
u little before three that afternoon, and
had spoken to him. lie mad seen the
body and recognized the man
What did he say?'
"'ls this right Tor the Red House,
or something like lnat, s.r."
What did you say
Il said, This is the Red House. Who
do you want 10 see?' lie was BIT
toughlookins, you know. sir. and j
didn't know what be was dO,ns there "
"Well?"
Well, sir he said. Is MI. Mark Alb.
lett AZ home? % doesn't sound much
put like that sin. but 1 didn't care
about The way he said it. So j got iu
front of him like. and said. What do
you want. ehr' and he gave sort of
chuckle and said. j want 10 see my
dear brother Mark"
Wei, then / took closer look al
him and / see that praps he might be
his brother 50 / said. II youu iol.
low the drive, youl come TO the house.
OF course ! cant say IL Ma. Ablott's az
home And be gave sort %. nasty
laugh again and said Fine place Mister
Mark Abletts got here. Plenty uf money
10 spend, ehf' Well. then / had another
look az him. but before could make
up my mind, he laughed and went on.
That's all ! can tell you. sir
Andrew Amos stepped down and NOV.
ed away 10 the back OF ,he room, nor
did Antony take his eyes of him until
he was assured that Amos intended To
remain there until the Inquest was
over
who's Amos -alkYng 20 now" D.,
whispered to Bill
Parsons. one of the gardeners He's
at the outside lodge on the stanton
read They're an here today Sor, ol
holiday for 'em.
Il wondor II he. giving evidence TOO
thought Antony
lie was. tie followed Amos. lie had
been at work ON the lawn IN front OF
the house and had seen Robert Albeit
arrive. he didn't hear tho shot-not 10
notice. lie was little hard of hearing
Tie had seen gentleman arrive about
five minutes after Mr. Robert
"Can YOU see him ln court now2'
asled the coroner
Parsons looked round slowly An
tony caught - eye and smiled.
That's him. said Parsons pointing.
Ever, body looked at Antony
''rhat was about five minutes after
ward
About that. sit
"Dd anybody come out Of the house
hsfurr this rentleman's arrival