Evening star., 1925-09-16

was, and had been for generations. a
wild streak" in the men of Hidden
Hall Court. More than once strange
mysterious tragedies had happened in
the old house. Sir Rawdon's mother
| mad been an Italian, very beautiful,
| but of passionate temper which had
| not made for happiness. And tonight
was not the first time Anson had
heard that Sir Rawdon Wells was
desperately in love with the American
heiress. Miss Carroll. Gossip had
reached Ardry-le- Mare, where every
one was interested in Sir Rawdon's
affairs. People had talked. They had
been sorry for poor Sir Rawdon.' 1t
was supposed that his suddenly ar
ranged trip to America was Tor the
purpose of forgetting: but to forget
would be difficult for a man OF his
type. Ever since he was boy Raw
don Wells had felt deeply, and taken
things hard"
Anson knew his duty to the public
as it's servant.
All the same, he didn't much like
the job of bringing Scotland Yard
into the business. These Fellows
wouldn't care whether they found Sir
Rawdon guilty. or some one else. All
they would think of was the damned
case!
Rawdon saw what was In the mans
mind, and smiled rather bitterly. II.
too, hope you'll phone Scotland Yard, !"
he said. "Ardry-le Mare shouldn't
have the responsibility of an affair like
this, though / believe 1t would keep
its end up with London, if need be"
IT will use the telephone if you'll
permit me-" said Anson, vaguely ad-
dressing both men. IN phone our
place and get them to call up the
Yard. It's late now, after IL. But
there'll probably be a detective DOWN
a finger print expert and all that-f1rst
thing tomorrow.
Now for that footprint isawdon
said, when the telephone had been duly
used. II suppose I'm intelligent
enough. if I'd stained my boots with
blood to burn them in that furnace
fire, and change to another pair. But
I'm waiting and anxious TO measure
those I have on, or any others In my
wardrobe upstairs, with the print in
the music room"
gest it," replied Anson, Iineasily. Il
can take the dispositions Of the other
members of the household later. This
is-er-important."
He opened the door of the library
Just in tiZae to collide with one of his
own constables.
BEG pardon, SIR exclaimed the
man, respectfully, lodging his supe-
rior. I've finished my examination
of the contents of the furnace"
well, what's the report?' Anson
INQUIRED. brusquely, under the bag
gard gaze of Kennedy Haste.
THE report is. sir, remains Of a
travelling bag, contents mostly Cndis-
tinguishable, but apparently materials:
some hooks and eyes, might have been
on a woman's dress; something like
silver shoe buckle with blackened
stones or paste get in it, and pair
of mems boots, nearly destroyed"
us that all?" asked Anson, when
his assistant stopped and cleared his
throat.
Not quite all, SIR
What else did you find?"
IA quantity of bones"
Human bones?"
"They-they have that appearance,
sir
Everything turned purple before the
eyes of Kennedy Haste. He caught at
the back of a chair. and then fell,
rather than dropped, into 1t, the world
blotted out.
Police Sergt. Anson had had a Sc
cret, almost unconscious sanSe of re-
sentiment against Cart. Haste for his
black suspicious of Sir Rawdon Wells
until the young man crumpled up in
fainting At. Then he realized that
the guest of Hidden Hall Court had
gone through an ordeal such as few
men are ever called upon to bear. He
found himself intensely sorry for the
poor fellow; but at the same time, as
events seemed likely to turn, Capt.
Haste would be spared further mar
tyrdom by being "out Of ALL for a
while.
His adopted sister was called in to