The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-12-21
CHAPTER XII
The Purple Stain

tai abstraction. In spirit he stood
again in that superheated room at the
Savoy.
He rang the bell communicating
with the outer office. Innes came in.
Times" he said rapidly lis there any
thing Of really first-rate Importance
with which 1 should deal personality"
We'll" replied the secretary, glanc-
ing at some papers which he carried.
there is nothing that could not wait
until tomorrow at a pinch"
/ The pinch has come said Harley
most important witnesses in the Abb
ingdOn case"
The speakers face grew grimly
serious. Times, If am right. shall
probably proceed to one of two places
| the apartments Of Ornuz Khan or
the chambers of Nicol Brinn. Listen.
Remain here until phone-whatever
the hour"
Shall I advise wessex to stand
by?"
Harley nodded. "Yes-do So You
understand, Innes, I am engaged and
not to be disturbed on any account?"
''I understand. You are going out
by the private exit?"
Exactly"
As Innes retired, quietly closing the
door, Harley took up the telephone
and called Sir Charles Abingdons
number. He was answered by a voice
which he recognized.
This is Paul Harley speaking" he
said. rs that BensOn?"
Yes. sir" answered the butler.
Good morning. sir"
Good morning, Benson. I have
one or two questions to ask you, and
there is something I want you to do
for me Miss Abingdon is out, I pre-
sume?"
Yes. sir replied Benson sadly.
AT the funeral, sir"
rs Mrs. Hcwett in?"
She is. sly.
4 shall be around in about a quar-
ter of an hour. Benson. In the mean
time, will you be good enough to lay
the dining table exactly as it was
laid on the night OF Sir Charles
death?"
Benson could he heard nervously
clearing his throat. then: Perhaps,
sir" he said, efficiently, Il didn't quite
understood you Lay the table. sir.
for dinner"
For dlnner-eXaCtly. / want
everything to be there that was pres
ent on the night of the tragedy
everything Naturally. you will have
to place different flowers in the vases.
but l want to see the same vases.
! From the soup tureen to the cerviette
/ rings, Benson, wish you TO duplicate
/ the dinner table as I remember it,
| paying particular attention TO the ex
act position of each article. Mrs.
HowetI will doubtless be able to as
sist you in this"
Very good sir" said Benson
but his voice betokened bewilder
ment Il will see Mrs. Howett at
. once, sir"
Replacing the receiver. Harley
took a bunch of keys from his
/ pocket and, crossing the office.
locked the door. He then retired to
his private apartments and also
| locked the communicating door. a
/ few moments later he came out Of
The Chancery Agency" and pro
/ Ceeded in the direction Of the Strand.
AS he anghted from a cab before
| the house Of the late Sir Charles,
| Benson opened the door I'VE have
/ just finished. sir" he said, as Har-
| ley ran up the steps. But Mrs.
/ Howett would like to see you, sir"
| Very good, Benson" replied Har-
/ ley. handing his hat and cane to the
butler. 81 will see her in the dining
/ room, please"
Benson throwing open the door.
/ Paul Harley walked into the room
which so often figured in his vain
/ imaginings.
Brows contracted. Harley stood
! just inside the room, looking slowly
about him. And. as he stood so, an
interrogatory cough drew his gaze
| to the doorway. He turned sharply,
and there was Mrs. Howett, a pa
/ ;hetic little figure in black.
"Ah, Mrs. Howett," said Harley
| kindly, please try to forgive me for
! this unpleasant farce with it's pain
| full memories. But l have a good
reason. I think you know this.
Now. as 1 am naturally anxious to
have everything clear before Miss
| Abingdon returns, will you be good
enough TO tell me If the table is at
present set exactly as on the night
| that Sir Charles and I came in to
| dinner?"
mo, Mr.. Harley" was the an
swer, that was what 1 was anxious
TO explain. The table is now laid as
! Benson left it on that dreadful night"
"Ah, I see. Then you, personally,
made some notifications"
81 rearranged the flowers and
moved the center vase-so" The
methodical old lady illustrated her
words II also had the dessert spoons
changed. You remember, Benson?"
Benson inclined his head. From
sideboard he took out two silver
spoons which he substituted for those
already set upon the table.
Anything else. Mrs. Howett?"
1.-The table is now as l left it, sir,
a few minutes before your arrival
Just after your arrival found Jones.
the parlormaid-a most incompetent,
impudent girl-altering the position
Of the serviettes. At least, such was
my impression"
"Of the serviettes?" murmured
Harley
"She denied it," continued the