New Britain herald., 1927-05-23
Ill st 81 % 81 s.:
Caroly Wells
C1927 BYNEA SE1UI0 NC

about It all? why are you &c
nervously sensitive to 4 tragedy
that is dreadful, to be sure. but Is
of no personal grief to you? Or is
it,"
"Oh. no, no! / had no personal
interest in Mr.. Folsom: I didn't
know him, you see. But now !
have come to know his sister and
his nephew"
That isn't 1t. Pardon me. Mrs.
Barron, but truly 1t will be better
for you to tell me Just why you
are so deeply concerned in the
/ affair."
! Madeline Barron turned slightly
until she faced her companion. Her
/ face was white and her cheeks
paled beneath her light touch Of
rouge.
For a momen. she hesltated.
! then said:
II will tell you. am worried.
! because l fear there is suspicion
being cast on Mr. Sears. His son,
you know. is engaged to Miss Fair,
who is my dearest friend. Should
any trouble come to Croydon
Sears. it will, of course, reflect on
Robin.'
You mean" Stone said. grave
ly, that you fear Croydon Sears
is the murderer OF Garrett 20.
SOM"
"Oh, don't put 1t like that"
and Madeline gasped. But Yes.
T am afraid he will be suspected
of that"
II see." Stone said. speaking
slowly. And ! understand. Now,
Mrs. Barron. he is already sus-
pected. Is there anything, any
thing at all, that you can tell me
that has any bearing on the ques-
ton of his guilt or innocence?"
He is suspected" Madeline
spoke in whisper. but her lips
quivered and she showed face
of utter distress.
Perhaps suspected Is too strong
word at present. but the police
are narrowing things down, and
they have what they consider pretty
direct evidence against him."
And the moiive?'
ut has come to their ears some
how that Mr.. Folsom had hold
of some sort over Croydon Sears.
and that he was about to use It,"
What nonsense! AS II a man
like Croydon Sears could be afraid
of anybody"
"A man may be fearless on his
own account, and yet be disturbed
on the account Of others who are
dear to him."
Yves, that Is true. You mean
Robin, of course. Well. Mr.. Stone,
I wish could help you. If knew
anything I would most certainly
tell YOU. But can only assert
NV faith in Croydon Sears and
his innocence, by reason of my
respect and admiration for the
man and my knowledge of his
general fineness Of character and
integrity"
And your knowledge of Car
rett Folsom ?"
rs only what I have heard of
him since his death. And that
runs the entire gamut. from the
exalted opinions of his sister to
the far less eugolistic expressions
of his nephew"
Young Pelton had small love
for his uncle"
ut would seem so. Though
know little of these things save
as ! have heard them discussed
by others. Why do you select me
for your questioning, Mr.. stone:"
A sudden touch of resentment
gave a sharp tone to Madeline's
voice. and she looked steadily at
Stone as if demanding an answer.
CHAPTER xxx
II mean to question everybody
concerned, Mrs. Barron" Stone told
her. II talk to you alone only be-
cause I think it less distasteful to
you than to be asked questions be-
fore Others"
"You say everybody concerned
! am not concerned - in any def.
mite way
"No, but you stood next the
man at the time of the"
Not next to him. My husband
was between u.s."
"Oh, yes. And you both had
been talking to him.
Not !. He addressed Mr.. Bar
ron. who, of course, had to reply"
II see. And you, then. never
spoke to Garrett Folsom ?"
Never"
"You never saw him until that
morning."
81 saw him the night before In
the lounge OF the hotel. But I
did not meet him"
"Now just one more thing. You
know Mrs. Valdon""
slightly"
"You are not friends?"
Merely acqualntances. She Is
very beautiful, but she is not the
type OF woman I make friends
with. ! like her companion. Mrs.
Barnaby. better"
you know nothing Of Mrs. VAL
don to her Disadvantage? I'm
sorry to be so plain spoken. but
/ know that we both have at heart
only the cause OF Croydon Sears
and any possible sidelight I can
get on this matter may help us"
Then I will answer frenkly.
7 know nothing of Mrs. Valdon,
TO her definite detriment. except
that she tries to bride the SER