The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1927-08-26

CHAPTER VI-Continued

And vet his manner when he took
the chair that wilkins placed for him.
and glanced over the menu card sud
denly became leisurely and deliberate.
He had a little chat with Wilkins, tax.
ing the advice of that gastronomic
expert as seriously as if a good dinner
were the only subject that he felt the
slightest interest in just then.
The waiter got our order at last
and went away with it to the kitchen.
and wilkins himself, with a grave in
clinati0n of the head, started to move
away. but the doctor called him back.
Il wonder, Wilkins" he said,
whether you can find out for me Iif
there Is chambermaid named jane
Perkins employed in the hotel"
The man shot quick look of SUR
prise into the doctors face, look
quite at variance with his ordinary
stiff immobility.
"Yes, sir, there is such a young
woman working here" he said. ut
happens that 1 am acquainted with
her personally"
"Ah," said the doctor in a tone Of
satisfaction, 'that simplities matters.
1 might have known that you would
be able to help me. wilkins, it hap
pens that / very much wish to have q
little conversation with that young
woman"
wilkins inclined his head gravely,
without word.
You'll arrange it for me, won't
you?" said the doctor. "ld like to
have her sent to my room Immediately
after dinner"
There was momentary silence
after that. Both of us looked up iii
some surprise that the man did not
answer. His face was unusually grave
Il beg your pardon, SIR" he said
with a little hesitation; II hope you'll
forgive the liberty, but I have, as
was saying, something of personal
interest in that young woman. l hope
she's not in any difficulty, sir. l
hope that she has not been doing any,
thing that she shouldn't have DONE"
I'm inclined to think not" said the
doctor, "but unless am mistaken,
she's in a difficulty"
Wilkins said nothing, but his ST.
fence was expectant. He was too we'll
trained to ask any questions, but it
was very evident that he wanted 70
know more.
Il think / may venture to be frank
with you, Wilkins" the doctor re-
sumed. "Of course what l say is be-
tween ourselves, and l want your
promise to say nothing of it to the
young woman in question"
Eyes, sir; certainly, sir"
"In the investigation of the Oak
Ridge murder the other night a GER
tain green cloak was found, which in
the state attorneys Office, is believed
to have been worn by an unknown
woman who committed that crime.
That cloak was advertised as found,
in the afternoon papers, and was al
most Immediately claimed and identi-
fled beyond doubt by this Jane Per-
kins, who gave The Meredith as her
address"
"She didn't do it, SIR" wilkins inter-
rupted quickly. I'm sure she can't
be guilty of the crime Of murder. She's
very quiet girl, sir-a good GIRL"
Il have made little investigation
OF that mystery on my own account"
said the doctor, "and I'm inclined to
think you're right. should, however,
be glad to have some better founded
reason for that opinion. There are
certain circumstances which point at
her directly enough to bring her under
serious suspicion and to make her a
b good deal of trouble. If Mr. Phelps
and I can convince ourselves, in adj
vance, of her innocence, we will gladly
do all that Is within our power, both
In representations we will make to