Evening star., 1923-06-21
Miss MysteTy;s Testimony


Miss Mystery looked from Stones
impassive fact to Fibsy's eager boyish
countcnanca Then she looked at
Maurice Trask
The latter showed deepest SYM
pathy and interest but Trask also had
a wary air, S if ready to interrupt
any disclosures that might be dam
aging to the girl.
First of all" Stone said. who sent
you that telegram from San Fran
Ciscu?"
face was as expressionless as Stones
own. and she made her statement as
straightforward as if it had been
true.
Miss Austin" Stone spoke severely
now. its to your advantage to adopt
a more amenable manner. You will
not help your cause by prevarication
or evasion. Unless you will answer
my questions truly, ! must find out
these things for myself ] can do it"
IF YOU can find out who sent that
telegram, go ahead" she f1ared at
him. Il tell you l don't know who
sent it. and l don't know who a, is"
i know who she is. said FihSN,
and then Anita's quick. startled
glance proved to the boy that his
little ruse was successful and he had
at least guessed the sex of the
sender.
"A woman" the astute lad unused,
"and she has annexed Carl Maybe
Carl is another name for that escaped
Japanese. But it's all so far away.
How can they conduct operations be-
tween here and Californian
Miss Austin" Stone tried to win
her confidence. believe me- ! am
most anxious to help You. Please
tell me why you came over here that
Sunday night. 1t is utterly useless
to deny that you did. Come, now.
tell me why"
Anita looked baff1ed, but after a
moments pause. she said. DO you
think l killed DIR. Waring?"
Il know you didn't" broke in Fisby,
with enthusiasm; nov come across.
Miss Austin. and I'll bet you F. Stone
can dope out the whole game"
Il know most of the circumstances
already" Stone smiled, and followed
up the small advantage he had gained.
You came over late. secretly. across
the snowy field. DR.. Waring let
you in?'
Yes" Anita breathed the word and
her starry eyes never left stone 5
face She seemed almost hypnotized
Then YOU sat down in the chair
you're in now. and he locked the door
why did he do that?"
Il don't know-he didn't. Stop
You have no right 10 torment me like
is my lawyer. Let him tell me what
to do"
Her nerves were tense. and her
little fingers were continually twist
agonized. and Stone felt as if he were
guilty of utter cruelty. But he must
go on.
does not know" he said. coldly. Il
am in authority. you must answer me.
Did Dr. Waring give you the money
and the ruby pin?"
Yes, he did"
Why"
"As gifts. Why does any one give
Because he loved you?"
Yes" Anita's voice dropped to a
softer tone. her eyes had a faraway
look. and her sensitive little mouth
quivered.
Yet you had known him but a few
days! You had never seen him before
you came to Corinth?''
Never"
isn't that strange admission
How could he become so infatuated in
so short a time?"
Have you never heard of such a
thing? the face nl was almost ahdsd 1osGish h
hint of smile
Stone was baffied. He gazed at this
strange young person, VINO vas elther
fooling him TO the top of her bent or
was a helpless. harassed child.
WAS DR.. Waring related to you?
he asked. with a sudden new idea.
"Oh, no. He was no relation.
tell you I never met him before
came here
And he gave you the valuables?"
He did. I'll swear to that-though
| have no witness to prove it."
And you accepted them! Accepted
a large sum of money and a pin set
with a precious stone from man You
scarcely knew, \ man engaged to be
married, man of twice your own
age, You must admit this calls for
explanation"
"Why does ito Hadn't he right to
give me those things if he chose?"
Wait a mirute, Miss Austin. You
loved him?"
Maybe"
Then, if you did. do you want his
name stained. his memory blotted by
an act that is to say the least, ques-
tionable?"
But he did give them TO me-
UNLESS you can say more clearly
why he did so I'm not sure | can
believe you. Did you ask for them?'
"Oh. no..
Her disclaimer sounded true. but
Stone began to think she was a con-