Evening capital. [volume] (Annapolis, Md.) 1922-1981, 1923-01-26
By LOUISE HELEN GOODHUE
The story socrc pncd IN the issues
Of January Is - EUcnay Capital
hnstor If BIZ " sm,0n 5 Hit

but was engaged in conversation with
Victor Roland. At sight OF Ralston.
this young man rose, took his hat and
prepared to leave.
No. don't go. Victor said the SEN
ator. MIR Ralston has come to dis
clss Laura's death, and you will be
interested TO hear the developments.
Mr. Ralston," he went on when Roll
and, after moments hesitation.
again seated himself; "since You re-
quested this Interview, what can do
for your
Il would like to take your finger
prints" answered the detective
Only as amatter of form. you know,
to clear up small natter $
why, of course, you may" Alden
assented readily.
Now. Mr.. Roland" Ralston added,
when Spencer. taking an ink pad from
his pocket, deftly secured the desired
prints. while we are on the subject
d fingerprints we shall take yours"
oh, tommyrot. That isn't neces-
sary. is it, the young man demanded.
"Oh, go ahead, Victor. Alden
laughed. They have mine; it is your
turn now. It's a family matter"
"Er-very WELL Roland shrugged
with ill-concealed impatienee. draw
ing the glove from his left hand. His
right hand was neatly bandaged and
the operation was difficult one.
I'VE like to take the prints from the
right hand" said Spencer. What is
the matter with yours?'
ut has been severely cut" Victor
explained, and his hand shook per-
ceptibly as the expert made the inn
iprcssions. The Senator watched tho
proceedings curiously.
What have you learned from my
prints, Mr.. Spencer? Alden asked, az
the expert finished studying the
papers.
That you were with your sister the
night of her death"
Sir"
"You were with Miss Alden the
night of her DEATH" repeated the cx-
pert; ''at the time you claim to have
been in Trenton N
Can you prove that?p retorted the
other derisively.
Tell him, RaIston.' directed Spcn-
GER
"You took the train for Trenton as
YOU stated, Senator began the detec-
tive; but | learned from the conduc-
.or of the train that at Newark you
got off. The local ticket agent there,
who knows you by sight, says you re-
.urned to the city. infer it was
about nine O'Clock when you called on
your sicter, as a neighbor of hers.
I oolsing from her window, saw a man
rush up the front steps at that hour"
How can you prove was that man."
iDterjected Alden.
The day OF her death Miss Alden
bought new paint-Lox; she never
used it. While you were talking with
her in the studio this box was upon
he table. Your hand probably rested
carelessly upon it. leaving the distinct
print of your fingers on its polished
Surface. We wished to identity the
marks positively, and il was for that
reason / asked You to have your i'm
pressions taken. Miss Marshall and
the servants were out when you
called that evening. and that accounts
for their not making your presence
known at the inquest"
BY that you mean
THAT so far as we know you were
the last person to have seen your sis
ter alive"
There was an intense silence in the
Office when Ralston finished. Senator
Alden leaned back in his chair refiec-
lively; Roland's eyes were fastened
on the older man contemplatively.
For moment the rhythmic click of
typewriter in the outer room alone
broke the stiffness. Finally the SEN
ator Strengthened himself.
you are right. Mr. RaIston. he
said steadily; you are right. There
is no use denying your statement.
though l must admit that for a mo-
ment considered doing so. Those
fingerprints spoke truly; was with
my sister on the night of her death"
'.Tell US about it. Spencer urged
There is not much to tell" re-
sumed Alden 81 had business APP
pointment in Trenton, and according
~ took an early evening train. intend
ing to pass the night in that city.
During the short trip to Newark. re-
membered had promised to see
Laura that night upon certain
family matter"
"And that NATTER interrupted
the detective.
HAS nothing whatever to do with
the tragedy. It concerned merely the
settling of the estate of our late uncle.
an estate OF which am executor l
left the train at Newark, and returned
as quickly as possible to New York. 1
found my sister in the studio alone
We talked for an hour. and then /
drove direct to my bachelor apart
ments. The following morning l was
shocked beyond measure to learn of