Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-08-01

eHdl HoC near you except IN nlS
presence"
Douglas Charlibury laughed. "Oh.
II you want your fellows to know
what fool you've been, I don't care.
Mr.. Fortune, isn't it. the wonderful
medical expert? You didn't cut much
ice at my trial. Better try again,
doctor. Now. Mr.. Tomas. you've
been trying to drag Charles Stanton
into this murder Well. now you
listen to me. / won't have it,
Tomas put up his eyeglass. did
I understand you to say you-you
wouldn't have it?''
Don't put on side. You can't
touch Charles Stanton. and you
shan't touch him. You can't do any
thing: that's how you stand. The
case is finished.
Because Mr. Douglas Charlbury
was acquitted? I'm afraid that
leaves us with a murderer at large
Murderer nothing, Because I was
acquitted and l killed the man. You
NEEDLE with any one else, and the
first thing you know III tell the
world
Reggie sank deeper into his chair.
Tomas stared a long minute. Then
he said carefully. Have you come
here TO confess you murdered your
uncle?"
mo. a jury said ! didn't. You
can't try me again. I'm innocent.
But I swear to Heaven I killed HIM"
Then you confess you committed
perjury at your trial? And brought
three witnesses to swear a false
alibi?"
They believed what they swore,
good souls. That's no perjury. And
IL don't answer to you for what
did, You get up any dirty case
against Charles Stanton. or any one
else. and I'll own it ALL"
He stamped out.
Tomas lay back In his chair.
That is the biggest bluff that 1 ever
met
WAS it bluff" Reggie murmured
He meant 1t ALL"
Did he? How can you tell? We
can't call his bluff If we had a
case against Stanton and he came
for the defense and swore he did the
murder himself, half the Jury would
say he was a noble, self-sacrificing
hero. and the other half wouldn't
convict against his evidence. And
he-he's been found innocent, and
we've got nothing fresh against him
but this melodrama confession.
Deuce take him, he has US beat!'
THAT night letter came to Reggie
Fortune. The old family doctor
of Chantries wished to consult him
about Miss Trale. An attack of pneu-
she did not gain strength. The doc
tor was himself unable to suggest any
treatment but rest and careful nurs-
ing.
She had expressed very strong
wish to see Mr.. Fortune. and If Mr..
Fortune could give the time, it would
be a kindness.
In the morning Reggie Fortune lay
in his car and watched the dim blue
line of the Downs come clear of the
mist till Chanctonbury stood sharp.
He wondered whom he would meet at
Chantries. He did meet the old doc
tor. who was all apologies for trou-
bling the great Mr.. Fortune. A sim
pie case. he feared. An old lady ex-
hausted by illness, he knew of moth
ing for her but quiet and the grace
of God. But she had been very
anxious Mr.. Fortune should come.
Reggie nodded gravely. 1t appear
ed to him that the old doctor knew
something he did not mean to say.
Joyce Charlbury came into the hall,
pale and worn. Reggie found himself
looking into tragic eyes. II hope
we've done right, Mr.. Fortune" the
girl said.
Yes, think So" said Reggie For
tune.
The frail bosom rose. BE kind to
her. Oh. be kind" she said family.
IN big room to which the sunlight
came in many colors through the
old, uneven glass of an oriel window,
Miss Trale lay in bed. tiny shape
which hardly raised the coverlet. Her
face was gray as her hair.
Her nurse rose as they came. set
by her bedside an ebony stick and
fitted out.
"Only Mr.. Fortune" Miss Trale
SAID.
Joyce looked at her and drew the
old doctor away.
Miss Trale turned laboriously enc
looked at Reggie. You know why I
sent for you," she said. II killed my
brother"
Reggie sat down by the bedside and
took her pulse in his hand. I'm a
doctor. not a policeman. Miss Trale,
he said gently.
II believe you mean to do right. /
have tried to do right / read what
you said at Douglas trial. Oh, If
had known. If 1 had known! But l
was i'll, and they told me nothing. My
poor boy!"
Douglas is safe
but now you are trying to accuse
Charles Stanton. 1t wasn't he. Mr..
Fortune He did nothing. / killed
Rodney And-and I'm glad!" She
fell back painting.
"You need not fear for Mr.. STAN
ton" Reggie said gently.
81 want you to know. want 70
make sure there is nobody. nobody
but me. Rodney was wicked. He
played foul he always did. But we
kept it hidden till this rascal Ferne
came to him. Then he began to cheat
with his horses. Do you know what
that meant to us. Mr.. Fortune? Our
'colors have been on the turf hun
dred years, and he-he had his horses
run crooked A Trale OF Chantries!
That was why Douglas ouar~e'e"
CONTINUED on Seventh PageJ