Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-02-19
ABOVE SUSPICION
ByROBER7 ORR CHIPPERFIELD
Copyright 1924 BY

did you ask her about Lane?"
The doctor had taken up his stand
by the fireplace, and now he began
to polish his spectacies on the
ancient lambrequin which covered
the mantel.
Sure did" Lyons nodded. "She
admitted knowing him through
Benkard's Introduction but couldn't
recall when she had seen him last.
She remembered fast enough, though.
when | put her next that we were
wise about Lanes car being outside
Wednesday and had witnesses to
prove the time he entered her house
and left II. She's clever woman,
I'll hand that to her, and I can see
how easily she turned the heads of
those politicians and diplomats in
Washington when she laid herself
out to fascinate EN-, without any of
this vamp stuff, either. Was she
feazed when she found we had her
cornered and she'd made q slip? I'll
say she wasn't, She just laughed
that low. tinkling laugh of hers and
held out her hands in helpless sort
of gesture.
Mr.. Lane was here thatt night
and did not care to mention it be-
cause. of the lateress of the hour, al
ventional enough she says. He
tclephoned from somewhere in the
suburbs Just before II and asked if
lie might drop i'll u few minutes on
his way home. | was lonely, [
sometimes find him amusing, and on
an impulse | granted him permission
to call. We had little supper and
during the course of the converse
ton which followed he remarked
casually that he had dined at the
country home of Mr.. Benkard's sis
ter on Long Island. and | remember
observing then how long it was
since | had seen him. That was the
only time his name was mentioned,
think
What was it NJ. Lane had to
see you about that was so import
ant it couldn't wait till morning"
asked her point blank, and she
opened her eyes wide.
Nothing in the world, lie was
Just restless. didn't feel like going
homo and wanted a friendly chat. T
have known Nh. Lane for several
months ana ! understand his moods:
they arc typical OF men of large af-
fairs who are under q continuous
nervous strain. There must be n
letdown, an hour or two now and
'''' Va N'''l''N'C iitiAlil ItitNttlou
when they can forget the huge
plans and problems which almost
i'erpetually engross them in the con-
genial companionship of some one
who is sympathetic. who comprc-
bends. We talked about dozens of
trivial. impersonal things until an
ungodly hour, and | was really
forced to send him home at last but
he told me that | had done him a
great deal of good
Zoe Dawn had the nerve to tell
mo that, doctor, with an air of per-
feet frankness. and I couldn't shake
her story. though she must have
been wise that we had the dope on
her from Washington. anyway. even
IL we don't know yet just how ser
iCus the affair had been between her
| and Bernhard. 1t was bunk. OF
course. but | pretended to fall for It,
| arranged for her to he trailed
wherever she went. and came down
here to rport to you
"She hadn't tried once to get In
| touch with Lane nor he with her.
since communicated with the
| Secret Service when I reached town
last night and they began cooper
ating with u.s.
Lane returned tn the city late
yesterday afternoon" the doctor OBJ