New Britain herald., 1927-05-07
WHAT HAS GONE BEFORE

TAI ftAS SCNE bEron6 . Death strikes Garrett Poison while bathing with a party at Ocear Town, N. J.. At the Hotel Majusaca where they had been guests an in- quiry Is begun. after doctor. per.
 functorily examining him on the
 beach. pronounces him dead.
 Folsom's companions had been
 Roger Neville, Mrs. Helen Barnaby
 and Carmelita Valdon. It is estab-
 lished that Folsom. just before his
 death. had been standing next to
 Ned Barron. known as the copper
 king.
 Folsom's sister, Anastasia, is sent
 for in New York. Then the start
 ling announcement is made that
 Folsom had been stabbed to death in the water. Ross, his valet. Is questioned, as are Barron and his wife. but no light is shed on the mystery.
 ! Anastasia. an eccentric, master i full woman. arrives. She lets every one understand, even Jepson, de- | tective. that she Is in full command of the investigation.
 NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY
 CHAPTER XII
 4 slight warning glance from Roger Neville was caught by Jep- sons quick eye and. understanding. lie agreed tacitly with the speaker and said:
 Very well. Miss Folsom. we will put it that way. then"
 We will. But you wouldn't have agreed so easily If MT. Ne- vile hadn't given you the wink. Now, you may as we'll understand. once for all, Mir. Jepson. that l am at the head of this whole af- fair. am the one who has lost a dear relative: I am the one who is investigating his death. and 1t is to me that you are to report and from me you are to take in- structions. I suppose until I came, Mir. Neville was by way of being in charge. but that is SO no longer. Now. Mir. Neville. though my friend and my brothers friend. has no authority of any sort and is not to be consulted in any way
 Whatever he may have felt at this exceedingly straightforward speech. Roger Neville said no word, merely shruggins his shoul- ders and holding as if in acqui- essence.
 My heavens" exclaimed the Duchess. who was outspoken her self. T should think you'd be glad of help, Miss Folsom. And MT. Neville was your brothers confi- dential friend, know. Why do you flout him like that?"
 Anastasia turned on her and seemed about to launch forth an- other angry speech. Then. with a sudden smile that transfigured her homely face and made it al- most attractive. she said:
 I'm running this, Duchess, dear. Don't butt in."
 Now, tell me. Miss Folsom Jepson began, fearing he was los ing his whip hand of the situa- ton, lis there any one--any one in the world. whom you would suspect of having any motive for wishing your brothers death?"
 Many" she said, looking at him, squarely. "My brother was a man of wide and varied inter- ests. He was man of independent nature and strong will. He usu- ally got whatever he wanted. lr- respective of obstacles that stood or seemed to stand In his way. In these proceedings he not infre- quently made enemies. or at least severed friendships and caused III feeling, even hatred, on the part of those who had once liked him. tell you this. frankly. that you may know what manner of man he was. But I never thought that any of these enemies he made were so desperately angry with him as to kill him. Yet that has come about. and SO. as I said. 1t is now my life work 10 seek out that murderer and hang him."
 Though speaking positively, Miss Folsom's voice was controlled and her manner quiet. Her rage seemed to have spent itself. and when she announced her intention of aveng- ing her brothers death, she loo ked like great and majestic goddess of fate. and her eyes. no longer snap ping with anger. were somber and deep with intensity of purpose and righteous wrath.
 You are quite right. Miss Fol son." Jepson said, a little awed by this strange person, but en- dcavoring not to show 1t. Y am