The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-29
CHAPTER 26

The Net Closes About Miss Mystery
 Gordon Lockwood came in, his face full of anxiety.
 I'm so glad to see you alone for a moment, MT. Stone" he said. "I saw Trask taking Miss Austin home. Now, tell me, please, can you get at the truth about that giril?"
 T haven't as yet. She's as great a mystery as the death of Dr. Waring.
 She is. But I have every faith in her. She is the victim of some de- lusion-"
 "Delusionr'
 "Yes; I mean she's under mis- taken sense of duty to somebody. or"
 State your meaning more definite ly, will you2"
 I'm not sure that can. But I'm positive"
 "Ah now, MT. Lockwood" this from Fibsy, you're positive the young lady is an angel of light, because you're head over heels in love with her. That's all right, and I don't blame you-but, take 1t from me, you'll prove your case quicker. better and more surely if you investigate the secret of Miss Mystery, than if you
 
 innocence and purity"
 Lockwood looked at the boy, ready to resent his impudence. But Fibsy's serious face and honest eyes carried conviction and the secretary at once took him for an ally.
 You're right, Mcclure" he said; "and l for one am not afraid of the result of thorough investigation of Miss Austin's affairs"
 You've reason to be, though" Stone observed. T can't be sure. of course, but many stray hints and bits of evidence. to my mind, point to Miss Austin's close connection with the whole matter"
 What is your theory as to the death, Mir Stone?" Lockwood asked. Suicide or murder?"
 Honestly, I don't eknow. I'm quite ready to form an opinion when l get some real evidence. I'm through questioning Miss Austin-I shouldn't have let her go otherwise. I want next to do a lot of further question ing. And I'd very much like to get hold of that servant, Nogi."
 You think he's implicated?" Lock wood stared
 ''Why else would he run away? He must be found. He is probably the key to the whole situation"
 "Guilty?"
 Maybe and maybe not. If he and Miss Austin were In collusion-"
 T beg your pardon, MT. Stone, but I cannot have anything said in my presence that reflects on that young ladys name. We are engaged to be married-that is, I consider myself bound to her, and hope to win her full consent.
 But understood-7I thought Trask-"
 MT. Trask wants to marry her, ceed. The lady must decide, of course, but l have reasons to hope"
 Gee, MT. Lockwood, course she'll take you" Fisby informed him, now. let's see you and me get busy to find out Miss Mystery's mystery. You ought to know 1t, if you're going to marry her-and, too, you can't be- stand the light"
 What can 1t be?" Lockwood asked, helplessly. How can a young girl like that have a real secret that so pervades and surrounds her whole life that she will give no hint of 1t? Who Is she? What Is she? Why is she here? I don't believe she came here merely to sketch In water col ors"
 No" agreed Stone. If that were all, why the mystery about her, home and family? I understand she has given several contradictory state ments as to where she really lives"
 She has," assented Lockwood. But may 1t not be just twist of her humorous nature? I assure you she is roguishly inclined-"
 "No; it isn't a joke" Fisby said, frowning at the thought. She's got a real secret, a mystery that means whole lot to her-and prob'ly to other people. Well, F. Stone. I guess it's up to me to go out and seek her people," He sighed deeply. "I hate to leave the seat of war. but I gotta do 1t. Nobody else could ever ferret out the anteeedents and general family doings of Miss Mystery but Yours Truly. And this is nc idle boast. I'm going out for the goods. and I'll fetch home the bacon.'
 He looked glum at the prospect, for 1t looked like no easy or simple matter that he proposed to under take.
 You sec" he went on, that girl is stubborn-my, but she's stubborn. You'll have a handful, MT. Lockwood. But if so be's you're willing to face the revelations, I'll go and dig 'em up."
 ence?" asked Stone.
 ITO California, F. S., of course. Didn't that telegram come from there? All I've got to do Is to find A and the Carl that she annexed and there's your mystery of the young lady solved. But the death of the doctor-that's another thing"
 Do you really mean tnis?" Lock-