Evening star., 1924-01-08
CONTINUED from Yesterdays star.y

|
please don't ask me! 1t was a
dreadful affair and even Mr.. Bernhard
himself didn't get over 1t for long
time! Poor, unfortunate gentleman
felt for him, Godfrey, in spite of
his being misguided-S'
Misguided is right" Geoff COM
mented. How long had you worked
for Mr.. Bernhard then?"
About two years" Henry eased
himself back, but his clawlike hands
/ were clutching the coverlet.
And how long before Mr.. ShirIey's
Benkard?"
Il don't recall, exactly. So many
gentlemen from Wall street took to
save me when the first time was that
saw any one of them. I think it
was about year though before he
he killed himself, or maybe a trffie
over. that the young gentleman came
home one afternoon with Mr.. Ben
kard. l remember. because there was
iQufte a party Of them, and 1t had been
! showing outside all day and I made
hot toddies. They were younger than
entertained. and very jolly. 1t was
the first time any Of them had been
there, and only two or three called
again with Mr.. Shirley before they
dropped OF. too, and he was the only
Ing. but not steady. as you might say.
Sometimes he'd drop in twice I'm a
! week, and then again we'd not see
him for fortnight or So"
| He come more often durin' the
| summer and fall. though, didn't hep
THE early autumn, Geoffrey. 1t
seems to me, looking back. that he
! only came once or perhaps IL was
twice in October. and then we didn't
see him again till-till-"'
finished for him, and the old man
nodded
That's what I was going to say
J All right, then. He came bout
half past and you thought he'd
| been drinking, didn't your"
! Henry's hands moved restIessIy.
/ Whoever told you that, Geoffrey?
| AS recall IL, he seemed a bit excited
like. and / fancied he might have a
trifie more aboard than he was accus-
wasn't at all downcast or-or wor-
! ried. He shook hands with me and
wished me happy New Year.
| Again the trembling voice faItered
and Geoff prompted him.
| You told the coroner at the in
quest that Mr.. Bernhard had come
home himself just little while afore
| and was dressin' to go out to din
ner party, Henry. Is that so?''
Yes. l showed Mr.. Shirley into
the, living room and then went
Wait minute. Did you take Mr.
Shirley's coat and hat?"
| DR., Hood was staring at his
deputy in frank amazement and New
lpointed gray beard refiectively
OF course. Godfrey The old but
Ter glanced up in mild surprise
What was he wearin' underneath,
Don't try to say you can't recollect
now, Henry" He added impatientIy
You can see him afore you right as
he was then and you know it,
shudder shook the gaunt frame
upon the bed.
"He-he was wearing a dark sack
suit and tie with a ripple of blue
through 1T, and very handsome he
looked, Godfrey. though a trifie thin
ner than when we'd seen him at the
house last. His eyes had deep cir
cles around them but they were very
bright, and his cheeks were flushed
1T was that and a sort of thick sound
In his voice that had made me think
he might be bit above himself.
] left him strolling about in the living
room-he didn't sit down-and went
to announce him to Mr.. Bernhard who
had just finished shaving. He put or
a loungtng robe"
What kind o. a loungin' robe. Hen.
ry?' Geoff interrupted again.
purple and very rich, with deep pock
cts and a broad collar. I'd picked II
out for him myself, he leaving 1t &c
me to choose a great many of his
| things in those days, and II I do say
it. no Bond street shop ever sold
better"
l. did you stay behind in his room tc
tidy 1t, mebbe, after he'd gone in tc
Mr. shirley7'
"No. He sent me ahead TO fetch
some Scotch and soda into the living
| room. and when ! reached IL they
were talking together as though
neither of them had a care In the
world, and Mr.. Shirley was laughing
] remember. I served them and ther
went back to my little pantry. wait
ing until Mr.. Bernhard should rims
for me to show Mr.. Shirley out
knowing he had the dinner engage
ment.' Henry's voice had growr
hoarse and he was plucking nervous.
Iy at the coverlet. but he hurried or
as though anxious to have done. "AI
at once-it might have been flfteer
minutes later or maybe twenty
| heard the sound of shot and ther
Mr. Bernhard calling me-
| Are you sure o that, Henry?'