Evening star., 1923-12-23
Continued from Yesterdays Starr

| It was late In tho afternoon when
that individual put in an appearance.
| and then he drove the rattling little
| car straight down the newly cut loop
of driveway which led to the unfin-
| ished garage.
Hello. Geof." lie greeted the
mason in a loud tone, obviously in
sible listeners Guess I'll leave the
old bus here where it won't be in the
| way of the main drive"
'Lo. Doc" Geoff responded. ap-
preaching the car as the other shut
off the engine and edged his stout
body out from behind the wheel. II
don't reckon any O. the folks is to
home yet, but they'll tell you up at
the house. I been busy"
They'll be here in less than an
hour the doctor remarked in a low.
hurried tone KNOCK off work at
five and go down and hide behind
some Tof those concrete piles under
the boathouse. I'm going to take
Lane down there for little talk"
was as low as his companion's $,
but even more firm. That new pri-
vate detective amt showed up. but
the district attorney feller has been
hangin' round pesterin' me again
and l don't aim to git mixed UP in
this thing no more'n 1 be Already"
Suit yourself" the doctor chuck
led. "I'll be willing to bank on your
being there. though. Remember, not
later than five"
Without another word he started
linen duster tapping against his
short legs. and as Geon watched him
a slow grin spread over his own
face. Doc Hood knew him. all right!
AS a matter of fact, 1t was not yet
o'clock when a workman in plas-
far cd llc pf Lots =
along the beach from the rear path
which started back of the garage:
then suddenly he ducked in among
the fat piles in the shadows beneath
the boathouse and was lost to view.
The attorneys sedan had returned
some little time before, and pres
emily the tall, Immediately groomed
figure of J. Stoneham Lane descended
the terrace steps in company with
the dowdy obese country doctor; and
they, too, made for the boathouse,
but mounted to its veranda.
II am delighted to be of any serv-
ice that l can," Lane was saying in
his smooth, well-rounded voice. i
don't mind telling you, doctor, that
we-as a close friend of the family,
I think 1 may speak for them as well
as myself-are far from satisfied at
the lack of progress which has been
made in this investigation.
Were slow-gotng folks out here
in the country, Mr.. Lane. and we like
to be sure were right before we go
almost apologetic. and yet there was
an undernote in It which caused the
unseen eavesdropper to grin once
more in anticipation. Thats why
asked you to como out here privately
and tell me a few things hatll may
be save US a lot of time and you a
slight bother OF course, we know
every word passed between you and
Mr. Bernhard in tho dining room Just
before you went away at half past
ten or so on "Wednesday evening",
self-contained tones had coarsened,
but the doctor apparently took no
note of the hoarse ejaculation
I'VE know that you stopped for
gas and oil at the Reliable auto
about haIf-past II, and that you did
not reach your own garage in New
York, the Cavendish, till half-past ..
nor your rooms at the Burmlnster
until fifteen minutes afterWard.
There's a lot more that ,sr We Ranu knTW
ard for some years back and how
they changed all Of a sudden. but we
won't go into that now. All Weo
like to know is just where you were
between half-past IL on Weanesaday eaay
night and half-past q, Inufsoay
You would. would you" Lane
burst out with a stream Of profanity.
You bIithering, fat hick! You bring
UP what was said in the dining room
that night and prove every Woro OF
| 1t by reliable witnesses, II It's as
compromising as you're trying TO
insinuate! What of it. If l stopped
for gas and oil? Is there anything
| discriminating about thatf You pfoVe
| what time I put up my car and Wnat
| time I reached my rooms. and II you
can establish a discrepancy OF tour
hours, as you say, fill them In TOT
yourselfi Since you know 50 mucn,
you-ind out the rest. I'm throusni
| I shall not utter another word.
CHATTER TX.
Other Peoples business.
you down there, Geoff" DR.. Hood
| leaned cautiously over the veranda.
| at the farthest side of the boathouse
It's all right; Lanes gone. What
! do you think of his refusal to make
| even an excuse about where he was
| on Wednesday night?"
Better come down yourself, DOC.
or you'll bust that railin'," advised
a nasal drawl from below. Drop
your watch or somethin' over the
| other side in case anybodys lookin'
I'll see where It lands-and then
smooch In under and purtend to be