The Indianapolis times., 1923-05-10

on friendly terms and subsequently
went to his ROOM"
"And what is your comment upon
his story?" I asked.
"Just this" was the earnest reply:
There is no doubt whatever that
the young man did return to the
hotel alone, but whereas the night
watchman swears that he saw him
enter Mrs. Trumperton Smiths suite
at half-past ten, the hall-porter
downstairs. two of the pages and a
reception-clerk are equally positive
that it was exactly midnight when
he came in and went upstairs"
This divergence of evidence" L OBJ
served, "is interesting, but L scarcely
see what it leads to. Perhaps I had
better talk better talk to Mr.. John
son for a little time"
The chief constable himself paid
me the honor Of a visit. accompanied
by Johnson, who was an exceedingly
painstaking and capable officer.
You say that none Of the jewelry
has been recovered?" l asked
None of the jewelry i'm question, I
fear" Johnson admitted. Mr.. Bloor
has two very handsome pins in his
possession. but he was clever enough
to admit at once that these were
given him by the deceased"
You haven't been able to collect
any evidence as to his having spoken
to any one outside on his way back
to the Royal?"
mot at present, l am sorry to say,
sir"
What about this discrepancy in
the alleged time Of his visit?"
THAT is. another of the things we
are trying to straighten out Any
way, the night watchman, who is a
very respectable fellow. is prepared
to swear that he saw Sidney Bloor re
enter the suite, even though his idea
of the time seems to be out. Assum-
ing that the theft took place then,
though, the motive for the murder
becomes obscure"
And Mr.. Bloor's own story?"
He came a terrible cropper. sir"
Johnson declared, a little trium-
phantly. He at first stated that he
only left the bridge table when he cut
out to get some fresh alr-that he
leaned owe. wall of the prom
enades looking at the sea the whole
of the time Afterward he admitted
that he had visited the hotel and gone
up for a moment to Mrs Trumperton-
Smiths suite. where he thought he
had dropped his cigar case"
The inquest" l remarked, "has
been adjourned"
Till Thursday week. Sir Norman"
the chief constable told me. 1.-The
evidence given at the inquest is at
your disposal at any time"
Il have already studied it-thanks,"
I said. "I should like, if possible. to
have few words with the night
porter, and with the deceased's maid"
The former, whose name was John
O'Hara, proved to be a very respect
able, stoHd and obstinate man. Moth
ing could shake his conviction that
he had seen Sidney Bloor enter Mrs
Trumperton-Smith's suite at about
halfpast ten and emerge from it five
minutes later. He admitted that the
corridor was badly lighted. but he
would not hear a word said against
his watch. / dismissed him with the
conviction that, so far as he knew il.
he was speaking the truth Then I
sent for the maid. There was a brief
delay, followed by the sound Of soft
footsteps outside and the opening ana
shutting OF a door. I glanced up from
the copy of O'Hara's evidence which
7 had been studying, and I received. 1
think. the greatest shock Of my life.
With her back pressed to the closed
door, her fingers clinging to the
handle, stood the woman 1 had known
as Janet Stanf1eld,
Neither Of us spoke for several
moments. Her lips were parted, but
if she gave vent to any exclamation.
it was inaudible. Her eyes We're fixed
upon my face in a stare Of amaZement.
Janet came slowly over toward me.
Il did not know that you were
here" she said.
Nor I that you had re-entered do
mestfc service" replied.
She fiinched a little, but she an
swered me quite quietly.
Poverty is a hard mistress. When
you met me in Bond Street. some
months ago, and I lunched with YOU.
L was engaged at a dressmakers es-
tablishment. Then my husband sent
for me to go to Paris. You know very
we'll what happened to us there. l re-
turned to London worse off than when
had left 1t. 1 lost my situation. Then
I became a manicurist. I stood that
for about three weeks. hal nine
shillings in my purse when 1 saw Mrs.
TrumpertOn-Smith's advertisement. 1
answered it and came here"
you are better off now" I ven
tured.
Hadn't you better warn me that
anything I say may be used as evi-
dence against me?" she asked mock
ingly.
I agree. Yet l shall ask you one
question and one only"
Il do not promise to answer it.
But you Will answer It" insisted,
watching her steadily. "and you will
tell me the truth. Had you anything
TO do with Mrs. Trumperton- Smiths
death?"
Il had not" she replied unfalter-
ingly.
You were not even an accomplice?"
"One question you promised to ask,
and one I to answer" she said. II
have finished"
was thoughtful for a moment.
was thinking Of the doctors evidence
at the inquest. The coroner had
asked him whether the injuries on
the throat of the deceased could have
been inflicted by q woman. The