Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-10-05
The Net Closes About Miss Mystery

II see you are not to say another
word. Miss AUSTIN" Trnsk decreed.
'I'm very sorry asked Mr. Stone to
take up this case. However, I shall
take YOU home now, then I'll come back
and | hope l cnn persuade Mr.. Stone
to discontinue his work. If I'd had
any idea of these disclosures you We
made. never should have engaged his
services. Come. Anita. I will take you
home. Mr.. Stone, await my return. I
sha mt be long"
Tho two went. and Stone. pacing up
and down the long room, said musingly,
"All crntcrs around that girl"
"Righto,"' said Fibsy. "but she
didn't kill the man.
The trouble is. Terence. your say
ing that doesn't make 1t so.'
mo. but it's being so makes me say
it,"
Gordon Lockwood came in. his face
full of anxiety.
"im so glad to see you alone for
Trask taking Miss Austin home. Now.
tell me. please, can you get at the
truth about that girl?"
mystery as the death of DR.. Waring."
''She Is. But have every faith in
her. She is the victim Of some de.
luSion-"
"Delusion?"
eyes: mean she's under mistaken
sense Of duty to somebody. Or"
state your meaning more definitely,
will you?'
"Im not sure that I can. But I'm
| positive
"Ah, now. Mr.. Lockwood" this from
Fibsy, "yOu're positive the young lady
| is an angel Of light. because you re head
over heels in love with her. That 9
all right, and I don't blame you-but,
take 1t from me, you'll prove your case
quicker, better and moro surely il you
| investigate the secret Of Miss Mystery
than il YOU just 60 around babbling
| about her innocence and purity"
Lockwood looked at the boy. ready to
resent his impudence. But Fibsy's SO.
| rious face and honest eyes carried con-
viction and the secretary at once took
him for an ally.
"You'rc right, MCGUIRE" he said ::
land ] for one am not afraid of the
result of n thorough investigation Of
Miss Austin's affairs"
You We reason to be, though" >"
Stone observed. II can't be sure, of
| course. but many stray hints and bits
of evidence. to my mind. point 10 Miss
AuStin's close. connection with the
whole matter"
What is your theory as to the death,
Mr.. Stone!' lockwood asked. "Sui.
eide or murder?"
Honestly, don't know. I'm quite
ready to form an opinion when I get
some real evidence. I'm through 1ues-
tioning Miss AustIn-I shouldn't have
| nth
lot OF further questioning. And I'd
very much like to get hold Of that
servant, Nori."
''iou think he's implicated?" Lock.
wood stared.
'Why else would he run away? He
must be found. He is probably the key
to the whole situation"
"Guilty?'
Maybe and maybe not. II he and
Miss Austin were in collusiOn--"
II beg your pardon. Mr.. Stone, but
l cannot have anything said In my
presence that reflects on that young
lady's name. We are engaged to be
married - that is, ] consider myself
bound to her, and hope to win her
full consent
but l understood --- thonght,
Trask-"
"Mr. Trask wants to marry her, but
hardly think his suit will succeed.
The lady must decide. of course, but
l have reasons to hope
"Gee, Mr.. Lockwood, course she Il
take you," Fibsy informed him. now.
let's see you and me get busy TO ma
out Miss Mystery's mystery. You ought
TO know it, II you're going to marry
her-and, too, you can't believe there .
anything that can't stand the iisht'
What can It be?" Lockwood ASKED,
helplessly. "How can young giri IKE
that have real secret that so pervaaes
and surrounds her whole Iiie that s sns
will give no hint OF IT! Who - s"'
What Is she? Why is she "eiI' -
don't believe she came mere "e''' ~
sketch In water colors.'