Evening star., 1923-06-22
Continued from Yesterdays Starr

The Net Closes About Miss Mystery.
Gordon Lockwood came in, his face
full of anxiety.
I'm so glad to see you alone for
moment. Mr.. Stone" he said. II saw
Trask taking Miss Austin home. Now
tell me, please, can you get at the
truth about that girl?l'
II haven't as yet. She's as great
mystery as the death of DIR. War
ing"
She is. But l have every faith in
her. She is the victim of some de-
lusion-r
"Delusion?"
Yes; I mean she's under a mis-
taken sense of duty to somebody
state your meaning more def
nitely. will you?"
I'm not sure that | can. But I'm
x"Ah, now. Mr.. Lockwood" this
from Fibsy. you're positive the
young lady is an angel of lig hit, be-
cause you're head over heels in love
with her. That's all right, and l
don't blame you-but, take 1t from
me, you'll prove your case quicker,
better and more surely II you investi-
lf you just go around babbling about
her innocence nd 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, MCGUIRE" he said;
and | for one am not afraid of the
result of thorough investigation of
Miss Austin's affairs.
though,
Stone observed II 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. Mr.. Stone?" Lockwood asked
Suicide or MURDER
Honestly. l don't know. I'm quite
ready to form an opinion when / get
some real evidence. I'm through
questioning Miss Austin-I shouldn't
have let her go otherwise. l want
next to do a lot of further question
ing. And I'd very much like to get
hold of that servant, Nosi."
You think he's implicated" Lock-
wook 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 i'm collusion-
Il beg your pardon. Mr.. 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. | consider myself
bound to her. and hope to win her
full consent"
But understood-I thought,
Trask-''
Mr.. Trask wants to marry her. but
J hardly think his sui; will succeed
The lady must decide. of course, but
n hnnp-
Gee. Mr.. Lockwood. course she'll
take you Fibsy Informed him, now.
let's see you and me get busy to find
out Miss Mysterys mystery. You
ought to know il. if you're going to
marry her-and. too. you can't be-
lieve there's anything that can't
stand the light"
What can it be-" Lockwood asked
like that have real secret that so
pervades and surrounds her whole
life that she will give no hint of it."
Who is she? what is she: Why is
here merely to sketch in water
coIors" -
mo" agreed Stone IF that were
all why the mystery bout her home
given several contradictory state
ments as to where she really lives
'she has assented Lockwood:
But may it not be just a twist OF
her humurous nature? assure you
she is roguishly inclined-
NO; it isn't joke" Fisby said.
frowning a the thought she's got
q real secret, a mystery that means
a whole lot to her and probly to
other people. Well. F. Stone. guess
It's up to me to go out and seek her
people" He sighed deeply. 81 hate
to leave the seat OF war. but / gotta
do it. Nobody else could ever ferret
out the antecedents and general fam
lily doings of Miss Mystery but yours
truly. And this is no idle boast. I'm
Going out for the goods and I'll fetch
home the bacon.
He looked glum at the prospect, for
II looked like no easy or simple mat