The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-04-08

every ingenious-very CLEVER said the
sergeant. "Only it is no good asking me to
believe that Miss Maynard did it; l could
never bring myself to believe that she was
cabaple of it. l have known her since
she was little girl. She is the daughter
of highly respected"
eve know all about that" said Gillett
impatiently "But lots of highly respecta-
BILE people commit murder, Westaway. Even
among the criminal classes there are no
professional murderers. I'll see this young
lady in the morning, Mr.. Crewe, and let
you know the result. l think l can prom
Use that I'll shake the truth out of her. y
CHAPTER Fl
Detective Gilett cycled across to Ash
lingsea the following morning, after spend
ing the night in Staveley as the guest of
Inspector Murchison. The morning was
clear, the downs were fresh and green be-
meath blue sky and the sea Tapped gently
at the foot of the cliffs. In the bay the
white sails of several small boats stood out
against the misty horizon. But Detective
Gillett saw none of these things. His mind
was too busily engaged in turning over the
latest aspects of the Cliff Farm case to be
susceptible to the influences of nature
He reached Ashlingsea after an hour.
ride and decided to call on Miss Maynard
before going to the police station. The ole
stone house and its grounds lay still anc
clear in the morning sun. The carriage
gates were open and Gillett cycled up the
winding gravel drive. The house looked
oil Nd hut h. WI; Il
protected the front windows were Enclosed
and large white peacock shutting on the
lawn in front of the house uttered harsh
cries at the sight of the man on bicycle.
The birds cries brought rosy-cheeket
maidservant to the front door, who stared
curiously at G1llett he jumped off hi:
bicycle and approached her A request fol
Miss Maynard brought doubtful shake OF
the head from the girl, so Gillett produced
his card and asked her to take it to hel
mistress. The girl took the card, and short
ly returned with the announcement thai
Mrs. Maynard would see him. She usheret
him into large, handsomely furnished
room and left him.
few minutes afterward Gilett heard
the sound of tapping in the hall outside The
door. Then the door was opened by the
maid who had admitted Gllett, and he saw
an elderly lady, with refined features ant
gray hair, looking at him with naughty
dark eyes. She was leaning on an ebony
stick, and as she advanced into the room
the detective saw that she was lame
Il wanted to see Miss Maynard" sale
Gillett, making the best bow of which h,
was capable.
you cannot my daughter She ut
tered the words in such manner as tt
give Gillett the impression that she wa.
speaking to somebody some distance away
why not?"
"She is not at home"
"Where is she?"
THAT | cannot tell YOU.
when will she return?'
II do not know"
"But, madam l must know" replied Gil
lett your daughter has placed herself
in very serious position by the statement
she made to the police concerning the Cliff
Farm murder, and it is important that
should see her at once. Where is she?"
II decline to tell you"
"You are behaving very foolishly, madam
in taking this course. Surely you do no,
think she can evade me by hiding from me
If that is her attitude, l will deal with il
by taking out warrant for her arrest
II must decline to discuss the matter
any further with you.
Mrs. Maynard moved toward the bell as
she spoke as though she would ring for q
servant to show the detective out of the
house. Gillett, seeing that further argu.
ment was useless, did not wait for the serv.
ant to be summoned, but left the room with
out another word.