Evening star., 1925-06-14

FOf heaven sake, tell me IL yOul
husband is mad?" he begged.
NO. he is not mad. He is much an
grier than he seems. He is very
Jealous"
Cant you help me to get out of
there?" he pleaded.
She was thoughtful for moment.
You need a little more strength, y
she decided. Gould you drink a glass
of wine?"
Rather he assured her eagerly.
She looked out of the window for
moment. Londe was making his way
| across the park. Then she left the
room and returned almost immedi-
ately with a wineglass filled with port.
Drink this quickly" she invited.
He took the glass and drank it's
contents. For a moment a new life
seemed to throb in him, and then
blankness swept back. He threw up
his arms.
The clouds are coming again" he
sobbed.
TO Ann, already attired for the jour
ney, the paragraph in the mid
day edition, which she had just
bought, was a great disappointment.
Nevertheless. she took the newspaper
into Daniels room and showed 1t to
him.
Il think you ought to see this be
fore we start, Mr.. Rookie" she said,
with sigh of regret. Il suppose It's
no use going now?"
Daniel took the paper from her
hand.
End of the South Fawley Mystery.
''Mr. Gerald Oakes Discovered in
Wood Where He Disappeared.
Mr.. Gerald OakeS was discovered
early this morning by one of his game
keepers. seated with his back to a
tree and fast asleep, within a few
yards of the spot from which he dis
appeared some days ago. His gun
was by his side, and, although a little
exhausted, his health appears to be
unimpaired. He is unable, however,
to offer any explanation as to his alb
sence from home and subsequent ad-
ventures. He cannot even remember
how he found his way back to the
scene of his disappearance. The Incl
dent is the more surprising inasmuch
as there is no hiding place Of any
sort in the wood, and the whole
neighborhood for miles around had
been secured for days by the police"
Daniel Rookie laid down the paper.
"A sell, after all, then" he OBJ
served
Il am afraid So Ann sighed think
ing regretfully of that long drive into
the perfumed Somersetshire lanes.
Shall l send the car away"
Daniel appeared to be immersed in
brown study.
"A day or two in the country will
do us no harm,' he decided. Besides.
| am still little curious about that
f1arrpN-t,onn n "a n
lunacy. Have you got the letter from
Sir Francis?"
1T came a few minutes ago." Ann
told him.
Then We'll start
The butler at South F'awley Hall
looked doubtfully at the card and let
ter which Daniel handed to him.
Mr.. Oakes is seeing no one, sir"
he announced.
Give him the letter, please" Daniel
begged.
''Yoi are not connected with the
press, sir?"
Not in any way"
The butler took the letter and re-
turned almost Immediately. A few
minutes later Daniel and Ann were
shown into the library and were
shaking hands with the hero of the
South Fawley mystery.
Sir Francis is an old friend of my
father's.' he said as he motioned them
to chairs. Naturally, l cannot send
you away. At the same time / don't
understand your position exactly.
You're not detective, are you?"
Daniel shook his head.
Il am really Foreign Office expert
on ciphers." he confided, "and the
young lady is my secretary. When
.; l.
ent position he offered me a post un.
der him, which 1 have filled for
short time. My own interest in it,
however. IS simply concerned with the
pursuit of one mana dangerous
criminal. who is also lunatic. 1 was
very nearly one of his victims my
self"
Il am afraid if you are connecting
him in any way with my little affair
you'll be disappointed" Gerald Oakes
remarked. Il may as well tell you at
once that l have not been robbed of
penny
THE man of whom 1 am in search
does not commit his crimes for finan-
cial reasons Daniel declared Can
you tell me anything about your
Vicar?"
What. old Maseley?" the other ex-
claimed in some surprise. He's all
right
How long has he been here?"
Somewhere about 15 years, I
think"
ANY family"
"One daughter-Violet. A very
charming young woman. Why this
curiosity about the old boy?"
Would he be likely to be interested
in works on lunacy?"
Hes interested in any stuffy old
book on any abstruse question"
Gerald Oakes declared.
Daniel rose to his feet.
Il came down on chance" he ex-
planned. II see that l was on a false
trail. / shan't worry you with any
more questions"
The young man bade them both
courteous but rather tired farewell.
MY respects to Sir Francis" he
said. Tell him if he wants to know
any particulars that 1 strolled out, as
usual, at 5 o'clock to shoot few rab
bits, shot one in the little spinney be-
yond the park-he knows it-and
moment later seemed to feel every
thing around me become gray and
afterward black. And that'n all there
is to be said"