Evening journal., 1922-01-27

(Continued From Our Last Issue)
I'VE are not criminal lawyersl"
the other stinened. MY father is a
paraiytic, chained to his wheel chair.
What can he know OF any crime,
especially one committed in New
York;"
Because his memory doubtless
reaches back. let us say, fourteen
yeerf Have you heard Of the recent
murder OF the celebrated portrait
painter, Mrs. Vare? Does 'Vane'
suggest a substitute for that OF your
fathers iate partner, Venner?"
The young attorney gasped and
seized the edge OF his desk.
Heavens, You don't mean that
creature who ran on with Venners
som l was only a schoolboy at the
time but I remember the scandall
Young Mrs Venner herself died
soon afterward"
1T Is odd under circumstances
that Matt Venner's wife's family
didn't come forward and claim her
body when she died insane from the
mental suffering she had endured at
his hands" Barry remarked. who
was she? Where did she come
from ?"
"Her maiden name was Barrows
Irene Barrows, but l never heard
that she had any living relatives;
ihaf Isl mono OF them came forward
during any phrase OF the tragic ar
fair" Philip added II remember
hearing that she was an orphan, a
school friend OF one Of the debu-
tantes OF that time and that the mar
riage wasn't a particularly advan-
tageous one according to the senior
venner. from the standpoint OF either
money or social position"
1--WE have learned that she was
stranger in Cleveland but not where
she came from" Barry repeated.
can you tell met Perhaps your
father can help me-" Barry rose.
Il doubt 1t. But ! will take you
to him"
In Philips roadster they soon
reached the fashionable suburbs.
On a terrace stood a wheel chair
in which reclined a solitary figure
wrapped to the chin in steamer rugs.
Philip began:
Il came to bring a friend out to
see you, "a prospective client, Mr,
Barry. This is my father"
"Glad to see you, Mr.. Barry; glad
the old man isn't altogether forgot
ten at the ofiice-Philip. run along" "
Philip shot a warning glance at
the detective and departed.
Nov fire away Mr.. Barry.
presume you have your proper ere
dentials?"
"sociai?" Sergeant Barry's ton,
was innocent.
professional. sir My son Is a
fool. but I've handled enough Grim
inal cases in my time to know a de-
tective when / see one. and your
visit isn't altogether a surprise.
Miss Hasl1ins. my nurse. wouldn't
read the latest news OF the vane
case to me. / made her do so yes
terday before she realized what she
had strayed into, and when I learned
that that old clerk of ours. Girls
void. was mixed up in 1t. I rather
expected that the old scandal would
be raked up again"
Barry laughed with boyish frank
ness
Il won't try to lie to you, sir" he
exclaimed 1--WE have reason TO be-
iieve that the woman who was killed
was some connection Of the unfor-
tunate Mrs. Matthew Vonner We
know that the latter was a compare
tive stranger here. and we thought
YOU might be able to tell US where
she came from and who her people
were"
A faint flush had come into the
withered cheeks and Barry could see
that he was shaking exeitedly.
Irene Venner." Barry prompted
quietly Her maiden name was
Irene Barrows and she was visiting
a school friend here"
~Ada Johnson" the quaverine
voice supplemented. Il suppose she
took pity on Irene Irene came
from Wheatheld, and I guess hei
guardian sent her TO finishing schoo
as a last resort TO get her in with
rich folks and marry her off. Any
way, Ada johnson brought the cir
homo and the trouble started"
"Do you know anything about thi
guardian Of Irene Barrows'. sir (?
the detective asked. "Did you eve
meet him.
Yes. he came on for the wedding
but somehow I carSt recall his name
remember the man himself. though