Evening journal., 1922-03-04

express wonder az Fay's escape.
In the meantime Sergeant Barry
engaged Martha. the cook, in con-
versation.
Had she any enemies here in
sandy Cover" the sergeant asked
"A girl as pretty and lively and
fascinating a. she was. would be apt
10 arouse Jealousy"
Jealousy. Il is7 guess there's
plenty that would like TO have stood
IN her shoes with the young men
that have been hanging around here.
especially that whippersnapper leu
tenant. but none would be soiling
their dainty hands with murder. Not
that a hundred coroners could make
me believe there's been foul play.
Wasn't the fret 10 fnd her, and
didn't she look as though she'd just
dropped on in her sleep7 There's
the lieutenant now"
young man had leaped the hedge
which separated the Tudor place
from the Country Club golf grounds
and was striding hatless across the
lawn His face was aghast, and HE
mild round eyes seemed protruding
from their sockets as he approached
the veranda
Martha, It isn't truel Where Is
Mrs. Tudor7 Can I see herr"
shes with Mr. Clayton now, sir.
but it's true enough n you mean that
Miss Laurel Is dead"
Dead It can't bel Why. only
last night ehe-she gave me her
word that the future we had planned
-"
He drew his hands across his eyes
and Sergeant Barry took his arm anc
led him OF the porch.
'Tieutenant Cadmus, I don't wan
10 force your confidence. but tn,
sheriff and coroner will have some
very serious questions 10 ask you at
the autopsy, and Il may be possible
that I can save you from annoyance
II you will be perfectly frank with
me-"
'Autopsyr 'Coronerl'" Lieuten-
ant Cadmus exclaimed. Good God.
was there anything suspicious about
her death2 We heard-we under
stood that II was heart disease. that
she died in her sleep"
Barry explained calmly. but the
quick glance at his companion re-
vealed a peculiar expression upon
the young officers face.
"And Fay was all right herself?
She didn't even know that anything
had happened 20 her cousin ?" The
lieutenant halted in the path. IT'S
mighty queer. ISN'T Il. sergeant"
II take Il from what you said
3ust now. lieutenant. than an under
standing Of some sort existed be-
tween you and Miss Laurel We're
YOU and the young lady engaged 70
be married2"
1T wasn't announced. sergeant.
and no one else knew but there Sc
no reason now FOR me too keep si-
lent. I have been in love with Miss
Tudor for long time. but she only
consented 10 our engagement last
night In fact. we both felt Il was
our duty to watt
He broke OF in evident confusion
and the detective eyed him sharply
why? Was there a previous az
fair on Miss Iaurels part2"
.'Not on hers sergeant, but oi
mine" The lieutenant paused an'
added somewhat shamefacedly: "a
a matter of fact. an understandin
Of a sort had existed between my
self and her cousin. Fay Tudor. hu
II was All off two years ago, befor
she went 10 France"
The words had come haitingly. a
though he were aware OF their sud
den significance. Barry seized Dbl
opportunity.
.Then why did you consider
necessary 20 wait? II you wer
quite sure that the AFFAIR was owe
what possible objection. could so
expect from Miss Fay 10 your eT
gagement 20 her cousin?"
"Weu. you see. our engagemei
was not formal one. She took hei
self OF 70 France. and then h'
cousin and I found that We care
for each other. but Miss Laur
wouldn't give me her promise unit
Fay had returned and we knew no
she felt about a."
did you know that Miss Laur
Intended 10 ENnnAt AA ANI NNAn
last night3" Barry asked casual
Miss Fay told me not an hour al
that you had asked her cousin
be your wife"
Il didn't know, Of course" q
lieutenant disciaimed hurriedly. ''B
1t couldn't have made any diffe
ence. Fay hasn't given a thought
me in ages; that old affair is
dead as door nails. lis afraid
can't tell you any more. sergeant.
can't think OF a possible reason vi
any one should have taken Laure
life"
As they approached the hou
once more they saw Fay Tudor
slender. black-gowned figure on
lined In bold relief against a fiowe
ing shrub on the lawn. She was
evidently earnest conversation wi
tall. rugged-faced man on crutche