New Britain herald., 1922-01-20

|
 woman was there, Mrs. McGrath, who
 looks after some of the apartments
 in the house
 You're a widower, I understand.
 Mir. Grlswold ?" asked Craig.
 My wife's been dead for fourteen
 years. if it's any of your business!"
 snapped the other.
 'I understand that you deny hav- ing heard the shot" began Craig, but Griswold interrupted.
 "I have stated that I did not I was asleep until that Id Professor | Semyonov clamored at my door," You did not come down immedi- ately. MT. Griswold." Barry made his second point quietly. What finally decided you to appear upon the scene of the murder at all?
 T did not reply to- that banging upon my door because I fancied it might be some practical joke of that young man on the second floor, Cor don Ladd, although I have never ex- changed word with him.
 It was sef-evident that nothing fur ther could be gotten from him. In the hall outside the officer ap- preached.
 "The lady on the top floor. she's been down twice asking for you," he observed impartially to the two. T didn't think you'd want to be dis turbed in there, but it seems there's something she forgot to tell you awhile back
 At that moment the pale, bobbed head of Miss Shaw appeared over the banisters two flights above and, see ing them, she came hastily and si- lently down.
 T don't want to waste your time" :" she began trif1e breathlessly, but something escaped my memory and told you an unintentional falsehood. The matter is quite trivial and ir- relevant but I do not care to have the least misunderstanding about this. When I told you that l had not entered Mrs Vane's studio since my call upon her until tonight 1t was not strictly true, although l held no com munication with her. A few days ago, was passing her door; she was out
 but Mrs. McGrath was cleaning in there and I asked if I might take a peep at the portrait.
 That's all right, Miss Shaw v | Honest relief shone in Craig's eyes. Its as well that you did tell us and if anything else comes to your mind, no matter how unimportant it may seem to you, just call up police head quarters and ask for me, Sergeant Craig, or for Sergeant Barry here. We'll see that you're kept out of it as much as we can.'
 Thank you, I'm sure that you will, sergeant" she responded with nod that although still dignified. was al
 most cordial. Good night" "Ain't women funny? Did you see how her manner changed all of sudden when she thought she had got herself in wrong? Twas nothing, that visit of hers to the Vane wom ans studio after all, but it's good thing she told us after Griswold men, toned it, for we might have gone off on some wrong track entirely. Do we get after young MT. Ladd now?" Yes" Barry replied as they passed the tragfcally vacant rooms of the dead woman. If he knew Mrs. Vane, as Griswold says we ought to get something worth while at last" Gordon Ladd was anticipating their coming with an eagerness which he made no attempt to conceal.
 You're headquarters men, aren't you?" he demanded. For heavens sake, come in and tell me if you've found out anything. Those chaps from the local precinct are dubs, and I'm almost mad over this thing! Right this way: you'll find cigars and things on that stand"
 You knew Mrs. Vane, MT. Ladd ?' It was more statement than ques- ton as Barry seated himself. "Knew herr" Good Lord, IT" The young man controlled himself by visible effort and added lamely: Yes, have known her for some time, sev- eral years, in fact, and although she had a host of friends, l think l can claim to be one of the closest of them to her It's the sheer impos- sibility of this thing, gentlemen, which has driven me nearly mad. l know that-that she was shot, I saw her body, and yet I would be more ready to believe that a bolt from heaven struck her down than a bullet sped from a human hand!"
 "Why?" This time the question