Evening star., 1923-06-13
The Marks on the Plush Chair


pretend to-" admonished Miss Bascom
brutally; you're caught red-handed.
and you know II, and you may as we'll
give up"
Il didn't DIDN'T" came in low
means, but the girls bravery had de-
serted her. Limp and despairing, she
turned her great eyes toward Cray
for help.
With an effort he looked away from
her pleading face. and said:
What is the weapon? Where did
you find it?"
1T is a stiletto-an embroidery sti-
1etto-and I found it tucked down in
the crevice between the back and
seat of a stuffed chair in Miss Aus
tins room. Did you put 1t there?"
She turned on the girl and fired the
question at her with intentional sud
denneSs. and though Anita uttered a
scared NO" it was palpable un-
truth.
"She did" Miss Bascom went on.
"You can see for yourself. Mr.. Cray.
she is lying
But even if she is. Miss Bascom.
must ask you to cease torturing her!
] can't stand for such cruelty"
Crays manhood revolted at the
metncdS OF tne older woman VINO was
causing such anguish to the poor
child she accused.
You are not legal inquisitor. Miss
Bascom." he went on; 1T is for me
to establish the truth or falsity Of your
suspicious"
men! If girl is pretty and aIlurins
you would believe her statement that
white is black
II believe 20 statements that can
not be proved to my satisfaction.
Miss Austin, do you own an en-
broidery stiletto?"
Yes" was the hesitating answer
and the dark eyes swept him a be-
seeching glance that made Miss Bas-
com fairly snort with scorn.
Where is it?'
II fear 1 must admit that it is
Just where Miss Bascom says it is
unless she has removed 1t. Tell me-
Mr. Cray" and Miss Mystery suddenly
resumed her most independent air,
must submit to thiS?S thought ac-
cused people were entitled to a-oh,
you know, counSel-a lawyer, or
somebody to take care Of them
Wait. Miss Austin. You're not ac-
cused yet-that is, not by legal au-
thority'
''Oh. am 1 not? Then" and she
gave Miss Bascom a glance of un-
utterable scorn. Il have nothing to
say"
NotHlHS 10 say. the SpinSter al
most shieked. Nothing to saw! OF
course she hasn't! She kills a man,
takes his valua ables. and then declares
she has nothing to say"
Now. now, Miss Bascom, be care
ful. Why. did you put your stiletto In
such a place. Miss Austin?"
Il don't know"
The dark eyes gave him a gaze of
chfldlike innocence, and Cray couldn't
decide whether he was looking at
deep-dyed criminal or a helpless VIC
tim OF unjust suspicion.
And where did you get the money
and the ruby pin?''
Il don't Know mean I don't know
how they cot in my room This lady
says she found them there-that,s ii,
1 Know about them
An indifferent shrug of the slim
shoulders seemed to imply that was
an MISS Mystery cared. either, and
Cray asked:
Then. if the valrables-the pin and
the money-are not yours, you are, of
course, ready to relinquish possession
of them"
"Of course I am not! Since 7 am
accused of stealing them. 1 propose to
retain possession until that. accusa-
maps Miss Bascom wishes to take
them herself"
You know. Miss Austin" Mr.. Crav
spoke very gravely, '+you are making
aantix a mistake Sd, in treating this matter flip
ger-and you must be careful what
you say. Do you want lawyer7"
don't know" the girl suddenly
looked helpless. do you think I
ought to have one?"
Have you funds?"
yes. l am not a rich girl-but.
nelther am / poor. However. 1 think
I shall ask advice of some one herore
decide upon any course"
of whom? Perhaps no one can
advise you better than can"
What is your advice. Mr.. crayo"
Ihe sweet face looked at him hone
: fully, the curved red lips ouivered .
little as the speaker added, Il am
Again Miss Bascom snifred. Unat.
tracti"e herself. she resented with a
sort of angry jealousy the appeaIin .
& snecl this girl had on men. She
Knew intu1tiVeiy that Cray would
girl. '"e ioheiy
My advice is. Miss Austin. nrst.
that you dispel this mystery that
seems to surround you. Tell frankly
Corinth, how you came into nossesi
sion .of Or Warnings ruby, and Why
you hid your stilletto. il it is merely
one or your sewing implements"
MISS Mystery hesitated q moment
end then said, quietly:
four advice is good, Mr.. Cray.
put, unfortunately. 7 cannot follow IL
however. | am willing to state. unon
oath, that did not Kill DR.. Warine
with that stiletto"
:! am afraid your oath will he
doubted, Miss Bascom Intervene
sharply. And, too, Mr.. Cray. even
II this girl did not strike the fatal
blow, she well knows who did! She
Is In league with the japanese, Nogi
That ! am sure Off!
Nogi" exclaimed Anita.
Yes, Nogi," Miss Bascom went on
day .or two after he did You have
Japanese kimono and several jap.
anese ornaments adorn your room
You went to the Waring house thai
night. Nogi let you in and out. and
mitted the murder. you stole the
money and the ruby. and then your
partner In crime departed for parts
unknown"
Miss Bascom sat back in her chair
with look of triumph on her plain,
gaunt face.
Clearly. she was rejoiced at he,
denunciation of the girl before her
and pleased at the irrefutable theory
she had promulgated.
And how did Miss Austin or the
Jap, either. leave the room locked on
the inside?" propounded Cray, hif
own opinions already swayed by the
That" said Miss Bascom, with ar
air OF fnality. II can't explain deh-