Evening star., 1925-11-09
Continued from Yesterdays Star.)

What's the matter? What's the
matter?" she cried, advancing into the
room. There was no answer. Where S
Mr.. Stanley"
That's just it, Mrs. Waterman
agreed Wilson; I'VE don't know"
Don't know"
No. He's not in his room, his bed S
not been touched, and I've searched
the house. L didn't wish 10 raise any
alarm until l was sure he wasn't
here"
But I still don't quite see-.''
Mrs. Waterman" continued vii
son, I'm afraid something has hap
pened to Mr.. Stanley"
Something? What?
I'm afraid he's been murdered"
With a gasp Doris sank into the
nearest chair.
What's this? What's this? said
The group turned and looked at
the door. Waterman stood there. He
still wore his dress trousers. and he
mad donned a silk dressing gown.
There was a handkerchief tied about
his neck. who says Mr.. Stanley IS
been murdered?"
I'm afraid it's fact. sir" answer
ed Wilson.
w nat On tdlln 40 AOu lntdI.
I'VE can't find him anywhere"
And therefore'S he's been murder
ed" cried Waterman. ironically. Rot.
Hes probably gone out to take a
walk
AT midr!ght?" Doris put in.
Why rIt? Any law against it?''
But wilson turned To the chauffeur
and pointed to the open French win
dow
"OTTata. go out through that Win
dow. Have YOU got q tiaShlight?'
sure answered OHara, always
carry one for use about the car
Some one has been through that
window" Wilson continued. IF
there's trail, follow it. See where
It leads"
Right" responded the chauffeur.
lie disappeared through the window.
What did l say" resumed Water
incoming about the lake somewhere.
He'll have the laugh on us. I say,
Wilson, what the deuce do you mean
getting us all out of bed for a mare S
nest like this?"
Wilson regarded him obliquely. 1T
isn't a mares nest, sir
mo-"
no, sir. When I come into this
room and find it Uttered with evidence
OF desperate struggle. as you see
He pointed to the wreCkage when
] find this table overturned. every
thing that was on this desk swept
upon the floor and" here he pointed
10 IA dark red stain upon the twisted
blood upon this rug
y little gasp came from the fright
ened group.
Yes, Mrs. Waterman, YOU can see
for yourself. When I find all this.
hut cannot find Mr.. Stanley, thenaI
think it time that something was
done"
a murmur Of approval came from
the little group of servants.
Doris drew her neglige closer about
her with a little shiver. Who saw
him LAST" she asked.
The last l saw of him." replied
Wilson, 'he was talking here with Mr..
Waterman"
:. Doris fixed her eyes upon her hus.
band
"Rollin, what happened between you
two?"
Why nothing" he answered easily.
We just talked for an hour or so.
end than l went To bed"
Leaving him here?"
Yes. He Said he was going to
write letter or two. Your remem-
Der, he told O'Hara to sit up a while.
80 as to take them to the village post
office tonight"
O'I1ara stood in the French window
again. His face was grave.
Did you-did you find anything?"
asked Wilson. speaking with Difficulty.
'No--but some one has walked down
that path to the lake tonight" !"
How do you-how do you know it
was tonight" asked Doris.
We'll, YOU see, am. it rained
a while along about 10 o'clock and
these footprints have been made since
the rain. And there's something else
there's marks along the path like
as if something kind of heavy had
been dragged along"
Wilson continued the inquiry. did
you go as far as the lake,"
II did"
And the boat?-The boat?"
It's gone. And I found this caught
on one of the bushes" He produced
a large white handkerchief.
There was silence in the room for a
moment. Doris broke 1t.
Here" she said give it to me. y
The chauffeur obeyed
She took the handkerchief, ex.
amined it carefully, dropped her eyes
and said family: mo, there's no mark
upon it" She rolled the handkerchief
into a ball.
Wilson turned to Waterman. well
sir he said, ARE you convinced now
thae it isn't any mares nest?"
No, I'm not" was the prompt re-
Spouse. It's ridiculous-all this fuss
III bet you anything you like that il
you sit here quietly for an hour or
so, Jim Stanley will walk in and
Lord, How he will laugh"
Doris rose. "Well," she announced
q IN, not going to sit here quietly fol
an Hour Wilson, call the police
Wilson started for the telephone
Waterman stopped him.
Doris, don't be a fool" he cried.
Call the police" she repeated i'm
periousIy.
Again Wilson started for the tele