Evening star., 1924-01-07

/ sent, self elected deputy who had
wrought the mischief when, all at
ence, he caught sight. of familiar
| figure, sauntering leisurely toward
the gate. With an exclamation, he
| brought his chair forward with all
its legs on the floor. and bounded
| down the porch steps
! "Geof! Jumping Christmas, where
have You been? have had Lyons and
Allen securing New York for you!
Its a week today
Hello, Doc!" GeQff grlnned cheer
my letter."
THE one you gave Rupert Ashe for
me. in which you said you would tele-
| phone or write to me? Yes, and It's
! the last I've heard of You for u
I've been coverin' considerable
ground and run into a lot more'n I
expected Geoff interrupted. Amt
! got time to go over it all now. Did
you see Mr.. Ashe and the district at
torney?"
II did, on your say-so; Mr.: Ashe
and his lawyers are just letting
| things ride. and the district attorney
witness. Now, If we can't deliver the
| goods
"Anybuddy been 'tendin' to my dogs
and the mare?" Geoff interrupted for
| the third time.
Lord, yes! The whole stable force
from Ashcroft, and I've looked in my
self every day. They're all right, and
Lady is almost well.-Now that you
have, got your family off your mind.
Office and tell me whether I'm the
| medical examiner or you. and how
| soon We'll be able to get Rupert Ashe
out of jail and who were going to
put there in his place.
ITS your job, Doc" Geon's face
sobered as he followed the doctor
into the house. We're goin' to git
young Ashe out O. jail soon's you've
swore me in as real depty o yours
and took me on the strength O. 1t to
make a call. Then I've got to max e
! mother one by myself that amt gofn
to be none too pleasant for nobuddy
concerned, and right after that we'll
you'd think l was clean crazy If I
named now, but who'll go willin' an
ready to confess. 1 wrote In that let
| ter to you that I never said nothin'
I couldn't prove and I'm standin' by
1T. but it's a job ! amt particular bout
| tacklin' agin: I'd a heap sight ruther
be back at my regular trader
You went to police headquarters
and asked in my name to see the rec
ords about a young man who COM
! mitted suicide in Benkard's rooms
| years ago, and you never told me a
| word beforehand" the doctor accus-
| when Lyons spoke about 1t, and it's
high time, Geoff, you stopped being
mysterious and told me what I'm
supposed to be pulling Off,
assented amiably. you're goin' to
hear all you've a mind to bout that
young man afore we git through.
How's everybuddy up to the Cayley
placer"
Lane has been there since Satur-
day but little Miss Millie won't see
him: she's kept to her room from
the minute she learned of Rupert's
arrest, though she has been .mighty
brave. with no signs of a breakdown
came down yesterday, too, and the
rest are all right except old Henry.
It's two weeks tonight since the mur-
der and he hasn't got over the. shock
growing weaker if anything-But
who-?"
"He amt likely to die. is he?" de-
manded Geoff with every evidence
mo, but his heart action Is bad
why. has he got anything to do"
HE knows somethin' we got to
make him tell. Doc. and II he was up
ment from him we might have a hard
time provin' 1T; besides, I'd have to do
considerable more lyin' when I go
to make that other visit alone after
last week that I'm gittin' to believe
'em myself!' Geoft turned toward the
door. Come on!'
| Twenty minutes later. to Mrs. Cay
examiner, accompanied by his now
openly acknowledged deputy, intrud-
ed himself upon her as she sat with
Stoneham Lee and Newbury in the
library. courteously but firmly. he
requested permission in his official
capacity to see Henry Carp.
DO you mean, Doctor, that you
wish to question him again now when
i he is just beginning to grow a little
better. and possibly throw him into
! a relapse?" she expostulated. Surely
| you know the poor, faithful fellow
has told you everything!-And what
! Is this man doing here. this man who
pretended only last week that he was
Z; not your Deputy"
He wasn't then. Mrs. Cayley. but
! he is now" There was a slight edge
! to the Doctors tone. That was a
good suggestion of Mr.. Lanes and 1
"'of Mr.. Lane'sr" she repeated.
Lane had not moved from hts easy
lounging position, nor did his ex-
preston of half-dfverted boredom
Yes. when he telephoned you a
was my deputy and must be dismiss
ed. AS for Henry, II he were dying
obtain statement from him"
| This is an outrage" Mrs. Cayley
rose You are exceeding your au-
thority: Doctor I will telephone to
| "Dr. Hood is we'll within his rights,
Mrs. Cayley," the lawyer. Newbury.
| interposed smoothly. 'I propose,
however, that in the interest Of us ali
he permit. me to be present at this
! The doctor agreed after quick,
| questioning glance at, Geoff. and it
was the latter who took the situation
in hand when they had greeted the
bed upstairs. At his request also
Newbury remained out Of the buffers
range Of vision In the doorway.
Now, Henry, we wouldn't have
bothered you TN you git well but I
| bout somethin' that happened a long
time ago. First. though, wen 90
back to that day in the dinin' room
when you and William Dunn let on
ters Mr. Bernhard got. 1t was on New
! Years day four years ago that they
started comm. wasn't it?"
Henry nodded feebly.
| your mind that had happened on
| mother New Years, down In MIR. BEN
| kard"s old apartment on 'Leventh
street?" Geoff pursued. You didn't
say nothin' to the doc bout that then.
Henry, but you'll have to speak now"
There was a slight movement from
the doorway. but Henry did not hear
| 1t as he started up on his pillows.
81 don't know whatever you mean.
! Geoffrey, My memory isn't SO good
| as 1t used to be-r' =. :
"Yes it is, bout this. Renryr'
Geoff Interrupted. You've been try
In your best to fergit it for ten years
| and mebbe you kin II you git 1t off
your mind. I'm speakin' O. the death
O. young Mr.. Shirley"
Henry gasped and thrust a trem-
| ulous. appealing hand out as If to
ward off a blow.
| CONTINUED In Tomorrow's Starry