The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-02-25

a determination to find the girl and let her speais for herself. But where was she? Why had she left so hurriedly and mysteriously? And why was she absenting herself so strangely when her very life, perhaps, de- manded her presence at home?
 Thoughts of the man in the gray ulster recurred to him. Could that individual be the murderer? Was he the mysterious lover alluded to by Miss Wrightson? Neither supposition was unreasonable.
 The more the lawyer pondered the matter the more thoroughly he became convinced that in the man in gray lay much that would go to clear up the double mystery. But where could he be found? The railway depot immediately suggested itself as point where information concerning the move ments of the stranger might be obtained. He hastened there.
 Did tall, dark-faced man, wearing gray ulster, purchase a ticket here" he in- quired of the agent.
 But it was only after long discussion between several employees in the ticket office that one of them seemed to remember such person.
 Did he have cast in one eye?" this man asked
 q do not know," replied Bristow, elated at having obtained possible point in the description of the man he sought. What was the destination of the man you have in mind?"
 T think he bought ticket to Cincinnati, but I don't remember him very well. I | ll- train was due, and when he learned that it left here at :05, he inquired if there were other trains leaving over either road later in the day. The next, I told him, was 4:45."
 That was all that Bristow could obtain in the way of information, though he tried his best to have the agents recall more, and, thanking them, he passed out onto the plat form, where number of passengers were hurrying to board an eastbound train. His mind was busy digesting the facts just ac- quired. That the man in the gray ulster was in some way connected with the Selden murder he now felt assured. Else why had the stranger been so solicitous regarding the time of trains which left after the one he clearly purposed taking? To Bristow's mind, it seemed as though he had been re- lieved to know that possible pursuit would have to be deferred until several hours after he was safely in Cincinnati.
 Impelled by a sudden impulse to follow the stranger, the lawyer swung aboard the last coach just as the train pulled out of the station.
 The search for the man in gray had be- gun!
 On the train, Bristow leaned his aching head on the back of the seat in front of him and began running over the mystery, step~by step. Every little incident of the eventful day took its place and passed be- fore him in review.
 The lawyers analysis of the case did not tend to reassure him. Nerissa SeIden's quar- rel with her father, during the progress of which she used what could be construed into threatening language, especially in view of the doctors tragic death, her late arrival home, her visit to his study, her flight at a deau hour of the night and the finding of her brooch in the dead mans beard were facts which initiated strongly against belief in her innocence.
 But, in his heart, Bristow told himself that these discriminating details formed only chain of hideous circumstances pointing falsely to the girl as the murderess of her father.
 In view of his recently aroused and ap- parently justified suspicious regarding the housekeeper's connection with the Selden mystery, what credence could he place in her testimony, the attorney asked himself