Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-07-18

, yVANN AAA@ - ANASAN 49, - - AAAAAS -
II ali fits. Mother and son. Came
there two months ago. Woman takes
nitric of amyl Son drives q gray
two.seater. They look like you said
She's oldish, both dark. he's dressy.
did you know them at all?"
Bell shook his head. Strangers to
me. Decent people to look at You'll
have to come over and identity"
You haven't frightened 'em?"
"Oh, no. They don't know they're
watched. And if they did. they
wouldn't get away. Mordan's got
plenty Of men,
what do they call themselves?''
Weir" He started Reggie's
hands had closed on his arm. why
sir, it didn't mean anything to me. I"
Don't you remember It's Il
years back. Down in the COtswolds
Claude Weirg'
Bell pondered. "oh, yes. Artist
wasn't he? He was hanged for muir
dering o woman"
"Yes-I hanged him.. Reggie said
and he shivered.
Bell stared at him. And this Ii
his wife and his son? That would ex
plain 1t ALL But they wouldn't use
their own name, sir.
t'She would" said Reggie.
Bless my soul! Well, sir. I'D like
to get on with II. You'd better come
and have a look at Them
Yes. Ill have to see them" Reg
gle said, slowly. But want to GO
over the records first. .
NEXT morning Mr.. Fortunes car
I drove into Tunbridge Wells and
checked q moment as 1t turned on
the main road Inspector Mordan
t,trolied to the door.
"The boys out In the town walking
the old woman's in"
The car rolled on and climbed and
came between lines and chestnuts
to houses half hidden In their leaves
gray. old-fashioned houses. Reggie
Fortune got out and rang at a door
An aged maid opened. please tell
Mrs. Weir that Mr.. Reginald Fortune
has come to see her" He was shown
into drawing room which looked as
If 1t had not been used since 1860.
A woman came in, stood still II
front of the closed door and looked
at him. She was as big as he. Ar
Indian shawl, crimson and gold, was
drawn about her body. 1t made hel
head seem colorless. that fun, sallow
face. the pile of gray hair fixed like
metal. He saw her dark eyes. She
was the woman of the wedding pres.
ents.
$50 you have come to me, Mr.
Fortune" she said.
You made It necessary, madame.
What have you done with my
SOM"
Nothing yet. i came first to YOU
That was best. Her hands moved
under her shawl
Reggie sprang at her. gripped hel
arms at the elbows. She gave fain1
cry. A revolver fell out OF her shawl
and he kicked 1t away and let hel
go.
Please sit down. madame.
You coward" she gasped.
No, don't think So" Reggie said
gravely." But It's best as 1t is. There
are half a dozen men outside whs
know that am with YOU IL yol
were to kill me there would be M
escape now
Il said you were a coward. d.
you know who / am 2,
Reggie bowed. THE wife of claud,
Weir. madame
Claude Weir,s widow, Mr.. For.
tune. You hanged hint" Her breath
came quick. All. you dare not den,
| 1t to mel"
And you've waited an these year,
to kill me?"
She laughed. did you think
should forget. Mr.. Fortune? had Il
wait. couldn't be sure alone.
had to teach the children what the,
"Yes. / thought %. Reggie muir.
INJURED.
You murdered their father. They'r,
alive to punish YOU. All, youth liv.
happy now, won't you, YOU coward!
Reggies voice was gentle. I'm
not afraid. Mrs. Weir, he said 4
know too much. But yOu--the police
are outside your house nowe
Yes, you've escaped now" sh,
cried oh, you're cunning, YOUR.
lcunning. You escaped before. Your,
safe Tor awhile. But what can yo,
dc? You'll send us ali to- prison
Very likely shall die In prison.
cant live long anywhere. But yot
cant hang rs. We haven't killed
you. And the children will come oui
OF prison and try again and again.
Yoti'Ve trained them to spend Their
lives &, on II killing me? Were they borr
< -
Yes and yes and yes! she cried
That frightens you. doesn't II?
I'm thinking Of them. " said Reg.
gle slowly.
YOus" she laughed. .sYou swort
their fathers life away, q
You've told them that. You tlidn'l
tell them everything. Mr.. Weir. z
\
CHE was startled into 4 inonent's
n silence. It's not true she said
fiercely. They've read It ali.''
Yes. And what you didn't say 81
the trial have you told them that?
She stared at him. IS
said nothing. The lawyers
wouldn't let me-.
They were wise.
What do YOU mean n
Don't you remeinber Fifteen
years ago Caroline Power was found
dead on the railway line at the entry
Of the CetswOId tunnel. But she HAD
been killed before the train ran over
her Her head had been battered BY
blows with n Atlc1 Ycre n1axaEr