Perth Amboy evening news., 1923-12-19
CONTINUED from Yesterday


pray tell the story in your own
way, Sir Charles" said Harley with
sympathy. II am all attention, and
| shall only interrupt you in the
event Of any point not being quite
Hear"
THANK you" said Sir Charles. az
tind it SO much easier to explain the
matter now. To continue, there is
= certain distinguished Oriental gen.
tleman-"
He paused as Benson appeared to
remove the soup plates.
The butler, an exceliently trained
servant. went about his work with
quiet efficiency, and once Harley
heard him mutter rapid instructions
% the surly p~arlormaid, who lowered
disdainfully in the background.
When again host and guest found
themselves alone: IT don't in any
. way distrust the servants" ex-
plained Sir Charles, but one cannot
Fhope to prevent gossip" He raised
his serviette to his lips and almost
Immediately resumed: 81 was about
to tell you, Mr.. Harley, about my
daughters"
He paused and cleared his throat
then, hastily pouring out a glass of
water, he drank a sip or two and
Paul Harley noticed that his hand
was shaking ~nervously.
. No longer able to conceal his con-
Germ, Harley stood up. IF the story
distresses o so keeply, Sir
Charles" he said. 81 beg"
He ceased abruptly, and ran to his
hosts assistance. for the latter, evil
IDENTIFY enough, was in the throes of
some sudden illness or seizure.
"Bensoni" cried Harley, loudly.
"Quick! Your master is ILL"
There came a sound of swift foot
steps and the door was thrown open.
'Too late" whispered Sir Charles
in a choking voice. He began to
clutch his throat as Benson hurried
into the room.
"Fire-Tongue." he said -. F..
'Nicol Brinn'. .
A stiaed shrek sounded from the
doorway, and in tottered Mrs. How.
cit, the ola housekeeper, with other
servants peering over her shoulder
into that warmly lighted dining
room where Sir Charles Abingdon
lay huddled in his own chair-dead.
CHAPTER III
SHADOWS
Had you reason to suspect any
cardiac trouble, Doctor McMur-
1och?" asked Harley.
Doctor McMurdoch, a local practi-
..oner who had been a friend of Sir
Charles Abingdon, shook his head
slowly.
"Was he consulting you profess
s%ionally, Mr.. Harley?' asked the
physician.
HE was replied Harley, staring
fascinatedly at the photograph on
the mantlepiece. II am informed"
said he, abruptly, that Miss Abing-
ion is out of town."
Doctor McMurdoch nodded in his
81 blow, gloomy fashion. "She is stay
Wing in Devonshire with poor Abing-
don's sister," he answered. IT am
wondering how we are going to
break the news to her"
Perceiving that Doctor McMur-
doch had clearly been intimate with
the late Sir Charles, Harley deter
mined to make use of this oppor-
tunity to endeavor to fathom the
mystery of the late surgeons fears,
"You will not misunderstood me
Doctor McMurdoeh," he said, "if
venture 10 ask you one OF Two rather
personal questions respecting Mis-
Abingdon"
Doctor McMurdoch lowered his
shaggy brows and looked gloomily
at the speaker. "Mr. Harley" he
replied, "I know you by repute for
a man of integrity. But before I an
swer your questions will you answer
one of miner"
Certainly"
Then my question is this: Does
not your interest cease with the
death of your client?"
doctor McMurdoeh," said Harley
sternly. you no doubt believe your
self to be acting as a friend of this
bereaved family. You regard me
perhaps, as a Paul Pry prompted by
idle curiosity. On the contrary, ]
find myself in a delicate and EN-.
b~arrassing situation. From Sil
Charles conversation I had gathered
that he entertained certain feari
on behalf Of his daughter"
Indeed" said Doctor McMur-
doch.
eff these fears were we'll grounded