Evening capital. [volume] (Annapolis, Md.) 1922-1981, 1923-01-26

cident, l decided to remain silent"
You were known not TO have been
on especially friendly terms with Miss
Alden" remarked Ralston
That was another reason l could
nos risk admitting my presence in the
studio. Laura and | had been almost
strangers for years, as a result of an
unfortunate family quarrel We were
in state of armed neutrality the first
time | saw her about the estate ]
mentioned. AT our last meeting, how
ever, we decided to let bygones be by
cones and parted on pleasant terms.
| could not expect the police to be-
lieve my bare statement
THAT is all2"
That is all, except that have a
clear conscience, If my sister was
killed, ] did not kill her. But circum-i
stantial evidence has convicted many.
an innocent man"
How was your sister dressed al
your last interview"
Dressed? Let me think. She wore
dark blue
'Thcn she was completely dress
ed?" asked the detective
"0f course. Why?"
'Yon say she wore dark blue
dress. When her death was dis
covered she wore light kimona.
Duringmy examination of the house |
noted that her bed had been slept in.
which proves that she retired after
your departure. Shortly before mid
night, for some reason, she returned to
the studio Senator Alden, / believe
your story to be correct and truthful
The guilty person came an hour or SO
later"
The desk Telephone began to ring
insistently. As the Senator took up
the receiver. Spencer approached Raj
.ston and whispered few words. The
detective nodded
IT'S Miss Marshall Alden said.
"She wishes to know where Victor is
Seems daguerreotype of her grand
father is missing from her room, and
she thinks she has it. What shall /
say?"
Tell herfto come at once to this
Office" prompted Ralston. Say the
daguerreotype is here, and will be re-
turned to her when she comes"
The Senator repeated the message
and hung UP the receiver.
She'll be here in a half-hour. Vie
tor, have you the picture in ques-
tion?'
mo" Roland spoke alphabetically
He lacked the decisive character so
evident in the older man.
The detective laid the daguerreo-
type upon the desk.
Here IT is" he said. 81 am glad
Miss Alden is coming"
Senator Alden frowned.
you surely don't suspect Mary in
connection with Laura's death. do
you?" he inquired "She was very de-
voted to my sister"
Il did not say / suspected Miss
Marshall. Mr.. Roland, how did you
burn your hand with the acid that was
the direct cause of Miss Adlen's
death?"
Victor Roland half rose from his
chair, and then sank back pale and
trembling. Heavy beads of perspira-
tion stood out upon his forehead. The
Senator glanced at him in amazement.
What does this mean, Mr.. Raj
ston?" Alden demanded.
at means that Mr.. Roland was in
the studio after you had left, and was
with your sister at the time of the
tragedy
"If this is not true. Victor, deny it
at once" the Senator directed sternly
but the younger man shook his head.
4 can't deny it, he quavered with
gesture of despair. Il can't deny it.
because it is true. am the cause of
Miss Alden's DEATH" and he covered
his face with his hands.
There was another brief silence,
then Roland lifted his head.
Il did not cause her death inten-
tionally," he began; sit was an ac-
cident. Oh. know you doubt my
word, but I shall tell you exactly
what took place / was deeply in
debt; was always in debt: but this.
time / was more than ever pressed for
money I went to see Mary with the
intention of asking loan. During
the conversation learned that Miss
Alden had drawn large sum of
money from the bank that morning
and that il was in the safe in the
studio. also learned that my cousin
was going out for the evening. and l.
determined to rob the safe No one
would suspect me.
"That night, at twelve, l slipped
into the house and entered the studio.
1t was extremely dark. and even with
the aid of the pocket flash | carried /
c0llided with chair, which over
turned. I stood sti1l and listened. A
minute later the studio door was
thrown open and Miss Alden rushed
in. switched on the lights, and, seeing
me, screamed from the window hop
ing to attract the police. Realizing
my 1anUor cos1c1 her on1 1,.,o~.z