Evening capital. [volume] (Annapolis, Md.) 1922-1981, 1923-01-25

there might be others. Let's take a
look at that shelf now"
Together. very gently, they lifted
1t out of the cupboard and placed il
on the large work table Thanks II
Raiston's precautions. the dust re-
manned as undisturbed as when he
had first seen It; the marks as dis
tinct as ever.
The expert drew magnifying-
glass from his pocket. with which he
examined infinitely the four impress
sions. the detective watching him Gag
erly. Finally, Spencer replaced his
glass.
Cats paws, probably" he said in
answer to Ralston's questioning look
Cats paws-and yet--Shall we at
tempt to photograph that shelf now?'
The detective nodded. The shelf was
moved to the floor. the camera sus-
pended over il. and the time expos
ire taken. This was done several
| ines TO insure success.
Keep the dust as intact as pos
iible." Spencer warned. as they plac.
| ed the shelf again in the closet II
| will have these plates developed al
lnce. | may have something of in.
| crest to tell you later; and again
may not. However, we shall see
| am glad We came here. From the
irst | was desirious OF seeing those
lrints. Can I drive you downtown? p
| NO, thanks. ! will remain here q
title longer. Idle curiosity, perhaps
,r. as Jeff says, matter of self
| satisfaction"
After Spencer's departure, Ralstor
Continued cursory but fruitless ex.
animation of the house. Matter.
gere not turning out to his satisfac
ion and he had about decided to re
turn to Headquarters, when the dool
OF Miss Marsnall's room opened ant
the companion appeared on the tire
shield. At sight of the detective, sh,
drew back, but il was too late. II,
had seen her.
Il have just come from an inspec
ton OF the studio" Ralston informed
her. Merely as a matter of form
you know. Will you permit me, Mis-.
Marshall, to glance about you
room?"
Certainly" she agreed hastily
leading him into a comfortably fur
nshed room, the walls of which wer,
hung with numerous portraits ant
| pictures.
Il have few questions / should
like to ask you.Y began the detec
tive. did Miss Alden ever keep jew
elry or large sums of money in tn,
house?"
The companion started neryously.
Money!" she repeated "Laur;
was in the habit of keeping sufficien
TOR her needs. Her valuable jewelry
she kept in a safe deposit vault a
the bank
Did she have any money in III,
house the night of her death?" Al
ne spoke Ralston's eyes roved owe
the brie-a-brac on the mantel. rest
ing curiously on an old daguerreo
type
THE day OF her death my cousir
drew some large funds, Miss Mar
shall was saying, but Ralston scarce
ly needed her. He stood by the fire
place. his eyes riveted on the old
fashioned picture.
is there safe in the house?" h,
inquired absently, picking up tn.
6aguerreotype and scrutinizing i
closely.
There Is a wall-safe in the studio.
replied Miss Marshall, while the de
! tectiye became aware that she wa.
watching him intently, perhaps {
tribe anxiously. He glancei at hel
and smiled.
This old daguerreotype interest.
me greatly" he said. Whose picsur,
is it?'
My grandfather's." She was pug
zled by this apparently irrelevant
question.
Ralston replaced the picture on the
mantel.
Thank you If you are ready now
we will go to the studio. l should
like to see the safe"
The companion assented, and as
she led the way from the room she
did not observe the dizziness with
which the detective swept the deguer-
reotype into his pocket before fol.
lowing her.
Miss Alden's safe was securely hid.
den in the wall Of the studios closet
which accounted for its being over
looked in the previous examination Of
the room. A. large artists palette hid
the opening for a Yale corrugated
key.
you have the key, of course?" in
quired Ralston removing the palette
Yes" she acknowledged. after a
brief hesitation, and returned to her
room for that article
When at last the door swung open.
and Ralston turned his fash light into
the compartment. the money was dis
covered safely placed under several
bundles of papers and documents
Miss Marshall sighed.