Evening star., 1923-12-14

the terrible thing thai. happened
later, and 1 can scarcely collect my
tsoughts"
at is because of what did occur
lis inconsequential. Mrs. tcayley," he
reminded her. What happened after
that?"
my daughter went to he'd, and Mr.
Lane and Mr.. Bernhard talked to-
gether for a while In the dining room.
which Is just across the patio from
the library Then Mr.. Lane returned
to the city and I retired. followed
Really, doctor. I can say nothing
more! My brother usually sat up
late. smoking and reading or goinit
over his accounts. and last nigrt
seemed no exception to the rule!
Her tones had grown more and mo re
unfeignedly agitated and the doct br
took UP fresh topic.
"Mr Bernhard seemed In the best
of health and spirits. Has he TOLD
you Of any difficulty or antago1fism
ness Iately2"
HE has never discussed hisi pro-
posed financial deals with me only
my own affairs, of which he has
assumed complete charge for several
years. 1 ann quite sure that he has
experienced no business difficulties.
but Mf. Lame will be better iable to
tell you about that" She ma hsed and
then went on: II called Hmm up at
his rooms IL, town immediiltel after
! telephoning TO you. and. al though he
was inexpressibly Shocked of course,
he promised to come out as quickly
as his car could bring II i'm. He is
Secretary. Mr.. Dunn. to follow at
once and also TO notifyt our family
lawyer. Mr.. Newbury. Il felt that
nv daughter and /, alone out here
with our guest. would y eed the sup
ufSfa n m ar'o
| friends and associates int this terrible
hour"
you acted wisely. Mrs. Cayley."
DR.. Hood readjusted his spectacles,
with which he had been meditatively
tapping the table. and Iiose. II need
not caution you that thu, news of this
affair will travel wide and fast and
you will have a crowd of city re-
porters out here in no fme. 1t would
household make a stat cement. at least
until the detective fl pm the county
seat comes to take CHI lrge of the case.
My own investigation as medical ex-
aminer will be. sepa rate, of course,
bothered any more 'fhan I can help"
"I am sure you w i'll, doctor" Mrs.
Cayley rose also. a I'D once more her
handkerchief went 10 her eyes The
grief enough TO endure, but to have
the end come III such a sudden,
hideous faShion-to know that the
one who is respo nsible for IT Is at
large and that W e must all be sub
jected to this hoI .rible notoriety and
disgrace-is almost more than l can
face. I must try TO be brave. though.
for my little daughters sake"
That is right, the doctor agreed
soothingly. by the way. / should
like to see your daughter now for a
minute, If I may"
But she can tell you nothing"
Mrs Cayley's hand frightened sud-
denly until the W'isp of lace and linen
between her fng srs was ripped asun-
der Mildred is -tIst a child and she
is hysterical over this tragedy which
has come upon IN. 1t would be a
waste of valuable time. ! assure you.
doctor, and needleis torture for her
at present in her unnerved condi-
tion."
I'm sorry, ma'ani, but you'll have
to realize that every one in this house.
every one who was here last night
or in any way connected with Mr..
Bernhard, will have TO be questioned
! The note of authority sounded once
more in Dr. Hood'si tones. but before
Mrs Cayley could t;xpostulate further
the hum OF a swift -driven car sound :
ed from the driveway and she hurried
out into the patio to the great front
entrance doors, which she flung wide
"Oh. it is Mr.. Lanet l hardly dared
hope for your coming SO soon, but I
cannot tell you what il means to me