Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1925-10-03

said Sir Dudley grimly.

said Sir Dudley grimly.
Without any pretence at formal
eave.taking, Mrs. Simon mickey
found herself outside the house.
tramping to the railway station. IA
slow train brought her to London
and in due course, tired but purpose,
full, she entered Number 1s Lips:
combe Road, Brixton. She let her.
self in with her latch key.
Passing into the dining room where
Mr.. Trickey had so recently given up,
the ghost. she took bunch Of keys
.-om her pocket and opened an imi'
alton Sheraton bureau. A moment
ter she opened a drawer and found
empty!
She got herself under control at
;aat. Its that-Ivy." she muttered.
nat was rotten excuse she made
Or coming back the day Simon
tuned up his toes. I'll go and wiring,
Il cut of her-or wiring her beastly
neck"
A providing taxi, rooted out Of the
Brixton Road, carried the wrathful -,
young widow to Vectis Mansions.
She rang the bell of Mrs. Coningsby's
luxurious fiat, and, brushing aside,
the servant who opened to her. burst
into the drawing room. Mrs. Conings-
by rose from couch by the fire and
eyed the intruder not altogether Kind
ly.
Whatever is the matter. Maud?"s
she exclaimed. You might have a
little consideration for my Z poor
nerves"
Natter" shrilled the actress.
Nerves.? What about my nerves.
you artful cat? I've come for the
diary you sneaked out Of Simon's bu.'
reau the day he died. g..
my dear Maud, you are raving. /,
wasn't aware he kept diary and !.
certainly haven't sneaked one. as you
so elegantly put it."
Miss Maud Blair's limited intelli:
gence grappled with the problem OF
how much truth there was in this
She recognized that she might have
been rash in preferring an accuse
ton based only on the opportunity
which her sisterin.law had had. She
would have to beat retreat with,
what grace she could.
Sorry. dear" she said. Es:'It must
have been that beastly Gladys. No
one else had chance. { I'll go homs
and tax her with 1t. as soon as the
slut comes in"
After her visitors departure Mrs.
Coningsby sank down on the couch
and covered her face with her hands.
IT wish I could tell her where the
diary Is" she sighed.
CHAPTER XVI
A Guilty Secret
MFRS. CoNINGsBI swas Ia ahes
M riser. 4
1t was therefore with xsss
noyed surprise that she heard the
warning tinkle of the bell q few min
utes after the ornate French Yclock,
on her mantelpiece had struck noon.
A minute later her maid came to-
her and announced that Sir Dudley,
Glenister was in the drawing room.
When she entered that apartment a
few delft touches with sundry pig
ments and a moderate use of the
powder.puff had thoroughly justified
| her visitors remark:
by Jove! Ivy, how we'll you are
looking!'
Mrs. Coningsby waved the baro2et
to a chair and subsidized on to the re-.
Gently vacated sofa.
You didn't come here to Gs.>cer
me-" she said.
well. hardly" Sir Dudley laughed.
IT came to see if you really mean; :
the promise you made to mo c:
Beechwood. You said if cot I'D =
tight place you might be abe I
help"
"Things have taken a wroaG
turn?"
LAS yet not definitely. but 1 al
getting the jumps. That vindicttVe
little devil, Kathleen, is waiting her
chance and she narrowly missed
Knockout. I will begin by repeating
that I did not murder my ca.!l
George"
Mrs. Coningsby's LIZ curled. c
on, old boy" she said.
"I had in my city Office" SIR Lad
lev proceeded. "a confidential c--.-
who did odd jobs for me"
CTo Be Continued)