The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-04-28


I turned up the rug. In one Of the
planks of the wooden floor was
knot. I took little corkscrew
gimlet from my pocket. bored into
it and drew it out Then I made
Delchester push his finger through.
There was a hook fastened in the
under side of the floor.
THE necklace was hanging there"
I told him. II imagine 1t would
have been found later by some one
making a point Of occupying this
room. AS a matter Of fact, believe,
4 It was booked for the first week in
June"
by whom?" Mrs. De Mendoza de
manded.
by Mr. Stanfeld." replied. HE
is paying a return visit in June. and
he appears to prefer this room to the
one he is occupying at present"
There was a brief silence. Del
chester held out his hand.
I'VE are very much obliged to you,
Sir Norman" he declared. Our In
surance, as you know. expired at
midday today. need not say that it
will not be renewed. I wish you all
good afternoon"
He took his leave. The manager
appealed to me.
Sir Norman" he said. there is a
great deal. in this matter which 1t is
hard to understand. 1 hope that you
will not consider It a case for the
police?"
turned to Mrs. De Mendoza.
DO you wish to prosecutor" /
asked. There is a. certain amount Of
circumstantial evidence which might
| be collected"
Against whom?"
Against the gentleman whom we
have known as Mr.. stanfield."
She laughed scornfully.
That funny, little man who sits
about in the lounge? I would as soon
believe that you yourself were the
thief, Sir Norman. I have my neck
lace and that it all care about" she
| concluded.
The manager departed very much
/ relieved. Mrs. De Mendoza beckoned
me to follow her to her suite. Ar
rived in her sitting room, she closed
the door. She had rather the look Of
! a tigress az she turned and faced me-
Never was a woman born or more
splendid courage.
And the epilogue?" she asked.
IT fear" I replied. that the cpl
| logue must he postponed. It was
only today, on Working golf links,
| that a certain little scene of eighteen
my mind. 7 saw a motiveless crime
explained. I realized by whose hand
that bullet might have found its way
into Ladbrooke's brain, and for whose
sake
yet you let him gor' she cried.
II must admit that he has scored
trick" I said slowly. But you
must remember, or perhaps you have
yet to find out, that the world where
such a man can live is a very small
place"
"And what about me?' she asked.
From the moment when heard that
YOU had gone out with him alone, I
could foresee what was coming. Yet
7 was not afraid. I waited for you"
looked at the necklace and
shrugged
ut IS hard to leave a hundred thou
sand pounds" I pointed out, land so
far as you realized, the game was not
up. Not a soul in this hotel except
myself knew that the necklace had
been recovered. Yet you had courage
10 remain and see the thing through.
I admit that"
She came little nearer 10 me. The
green lights in her eyes were soft.
felt the attraction of her as she meant
me to.
Where I love" she said. II have
courage and my love has every quail
| ity which the devil ever distilled, ex-
cept consistency. Are you afraid Of me,
Sir Norman, because I killed a man
who"
"a confession I muttered.
She laughed.
NO witnesses" she reminded me-
After all. it was you who once said
that murder was the easiest of crimes
What you know and what know will
never take me to the dock Would
you put me there if you could, my
enemy?'
drew a little away. Her breath
was almost upon my cheek; her lips
| had taken to themselves the curve of