The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-02-25
MAGAZINE

cluded let the man who had sprung so suddenly into the case handle the helm for awhile.
 One thing he determined upon, however, Miss Wrightson should be subjected to . merciless inqusition in an effort to elicit from her all she knew of the Selden mur- der. That she knew much he was fully convinced-the more so since his discussion of the case with Vignolos.
 Dr. Craig should tell what he knew should explain his reluctance to accept the theory of the woman's guilt. There was that matter of the dwarf, too. s~He started as he considered the possibility that the little imp might be the guilty person. Then he dismissed he idea that the halfwit could have had anything to do with the murder of his aunts employer.
 As he strode back and forth, chafing at his own impotence he became aware that seat near him was occupied by slender, feminine figure, clad in black and heavily yelled. Probably, he thought, she was some mourner on the way to attend the funeral of dear friend or relative
 With this idea in mind he continued his walk. After awhile, when his train was an- announced and he was approaching the gate to the trainshed, he beheld before him the same dark-clad figure. Out of the mist of his abstraction floated phantom of half recognition which became reality when the figure ahead of him turned with sudden cry.
 "Gordonv
 The woman threw aside her veil, dis closing the drawn, troubled face of Nerssa Selden.
 CHAPTER 7.
 The unexpectedness of his meeting with the girl he loved momentarily held Gordon Bristow speeches.. Should a po- liceman clap eyes on her she would most assuredly be placed under arrest. This was something he/most ardently desired to avoid. It would never do to reveal her identity here. His first duty was to get her away as speedily as possible from the eyes of the curious. He felt confident that she would soon banish all his lingering doubts.
 "This is surprise,' he said, trying to hide his consternation and apprehension be- hind mask of conventionality. "Wers you homeward boundgn
 "Yes, I-that is-' She paused in con- fusion. "Gordon, will you take me some place where we can talk privately? I have much to tell you and wish to ask your aid and advice'
 .We can go over to the Grand" suggested Bristow
 sVery we'll" She placed her hand trust ingly within his arm.
 As he looked upon her troubled face and thought of her helplessness under the dark shadow of what he WAS confident was an unfounded charge, he decided that she had never seemed more beautiful or dearer to him.
 They passed out of the station, through the usual throng of taxicab drivers baggage porters and hotel runners and into the hotel across the street. There they were soon ensconced in a corner of one of the private parlors.
 T am at your service now" he said, note of inquiry in his voice and his heart beating high with the hope that the mystery of her disappearance was at last about to be revealed
 The girl sat nervously locking and unlock ing her hands. Her face showed the effects of some recent terrible experience, but it was not born of fear or grief.
 Nerissa Selden either was ignorant of her fathers death or was a most consum- mate actress The lawyer believed the for mer to be the case and was glad that it was probable. While he had no liking for the task of breaking the horrible news to her, he ralized that it must be told sooner or later. He felt that she would prefer that