Evening star., 1926-08-22
THE ONLY SON


| louder and wilder he lost his head
and seemed to know that he had lost
| 1t. Then one of the Quieter voices
| was raised, and with authority. The
| noisy lad was being removed.
Lights came in another room. The
| men outside felt their way along the
wall. Wilfred was still noisy. He
seemed to be quarreling with his
companions. But the quieter voice
| was dominating him. The boy fell
silent. but the quiet voice went on:
It talked Of your father" it talked
Of friends" and free"
Reggie slid along to the front door.
| raped on 1t. The quiet voice had
stopped. After a moment there came
to the door q man in dinner Jacket.
What do you want?" he said.
Reggie Tin a strong cockney accent
and rather intoxicated) was sorry to
bother him, but he had lost the jolly
old Brighton road. The large man
snapped out directions and slammed
the door.
away till they turned out Of sight
Then he strobe on fast.
THAT was IAngton," Bell said.
"Yes. So the voice before wasn't
Iangton's voice. Therefore 1t was
Geoffrey Harfords"
THAT little, quiet voice? Seemed
to be saying the same thing over and
over again."
II know" Reggie said, irritably.
Finished with 1t. sir?"
What can we do?" Reggie growl
ed. Come on. Where's that carr
The lamps were lit, the engine
started, the car backed out to the
road. Tho lamplight Glove through
Che dark 10 where the forest over
hung the road in a sandstone cliff,
and above the little caves Of gloom
gnarled beech roots twisted up into
the night. Superintendent Bell stirred.
Looks pretty CHASTITY. that" he
said. kind of wicked"
"Ghastly?" Reggie Fortune laughed.
"Ghastly it is. Bell. And I'm leaving
him to it, Heaven help me!' He let
the car go, land Supt. Bell held fast
and prepared to die. Even in daylight
Reggie Fortunes driving terrifies.
TT was another car, Mr.. Fortune S
own, which brought him and Bell
next day to the London hotel where
Mrs. Hartford was staying. 1t was
not a vagabond artist, but a man
punctiliously correct. and, In spite
Of his round face, grave and melan-
with visible alarm.
IT have to apologize for what seems
an intrusion, madame. I believe that
it may be Of service to you. am
sure it is necessary" said Mr.. For
tune, slowly, picking his words. ''You
have my name. I am a medical man
and the adviser in medical matters
of the Criminal Investigation Depart
ment." He paused and studied her.
She was much agitated. "Ctrcum'
STANCES have drawn my attention TO
the condition OF your son, Mr.. VIII
frid Hartford"
"But l remember you! You spoke
to us in the wood"
"1 did. saw your son then. I
have seen him since. I am certain
that It Is your duty to remove him
from Mr. Langton's house.
She wrung her hands. "Oh. was
afraid" she gasped.
What are you afraid off," said
Reggie. sharply.
Her eyes opened very wide. why,
I was afraid you'd say that. But he
seemed so much better at first Mr..
Langton was so kind and he really
understood Wilfrid. And Wilfrid
really was better
Mr. Langton made him better at
first. Yes. What has Mr.. Langton
made Of him now?"
But I don't know" Her hands
still worked together. ''Wilfrid says
he's perfectly wen when I'm not
there. .Fte says it's only that worry
him. She cried. "Thats-that's
why I came away. 1t is really"
And when you are there"
Reggie insisted coldly.
''Oh. he seems SO Ill. And he's not
like himself. Mr.. Langton says it's
just the treatment, and mustn't
worry. : He says Wilfr1d can come to
see me sometimes in town. But I've
asked him and he won't come. Mr..
Langton says he hopes to persuade
him soon.''
and you do everything Mr.. Lang
ton tells you?" Reggie frowned.
What can I do?" she sobbed.
"Wilfrid won't listen to me now. He
doesn't like me any more"
II have a. car here. Mrs. Hartford.
will drive you down to Mr.. Langton's