New Britain herald., 1927-05-25

sums to the other. Had Roger die
 quite a fortune"
 Which he didn't need" sus
 gested Stone.
 "Oh. no. My brother was
 rich man. We'll. MT. Stone. I sur
 pose it's too late for you to do any
 thing further tonight. hop
 you'll get busy in the morning an
 round up that Carmelita woman
 Remember. she's about the only on
 in all Ocean Town who knew before
 hand that my brother was comin,
 down here"
 With this parting bit of sugges
 tion, Miss Folsom went off to he1
 own room. and the men remained for a few more words.
 My aunt is a strange person. age" Pelton said. thoughtfully
 but she's nobody's fool. And hei arguments against Mrs. valdon are just plausible enough to catch the ! attention of the police if they are brought to their notice. So. Mir. Stone, while I don't ask you to | ignore Aunt Anastasia's suspicious and suggestions, I do ask you to look into the matter yourself be- ! fore you give it much publicity" T shall certainly do that, MT. Felton," Stone said, "and if 1t is of any comfort to you, and I dare . say it is, I can tell you that I think there is so far very little evidence against Mrs. Valdon."
 | "Bless you for that" said Dan Pelton so earnestly that Stone was touched. "Yes," he went on. mo- ,icing Stones quick glance, "as my aunt says. I have fallen for that woman. To me she is waif of fortune. toy of fate, but not the scheming adventures my aunt would make her seem. Nor is she Q murderess. The very idea is unthinkable! But my uncle did have hold over her: did have letters from her, and she did try to get them without the knowl- edge of the sensation-seeking po- lice. Those things I know.
 What was in the letters or whether she did finally get them, I don't know. But they were here, in the suitcase. right on top, and they're not here now. I am frank. Mir. Stone, because I want the mat ter cleared up as well as my aunt does, and if you can get at the real truth you can do away with all hint of suspicion of Mrs. Valdon."
 Stone looked at him a little quizzically.
 T had but two legitimate sus- pects,", he said, with pretended ruefulness. Sears here and Mrs. Valdon. If you deprive me of both, at one full swoop, what. pray. am to do?"
 "Get the real one." said Tite Riggs. rising to go. T can't do it; I haven't glimmer of 8 notion what way to look, but I'll bet you manage it. Mir. Stone"
 "1'll bet he does." agreed Pel- ton. but the anxious eyes of Croy- don Sears did not echo their as- surance.
 "Ill have a try at it. Stone told them. But I don't mind ad- hitting that at the present I've no evidence to work on. no clue to follow up. I'm all at sea-"
 "Then you're right on the spot" wi ,c-1, Nf hi irrepressible gayety. flor that's where the crime was committed!"
 "A strange case" Stone said to Sears as they left the room and went toward their own apart ments. i've never before heard of a murder in the ocean. It is clever, I'll say that for it. Just think. Croy, no fingerprints. no clues left lying about. no wit nesses. no evidence to be drawn from the scene of this crime. and ] feel sure the murderer thought there would be no weapon found. Why, there's nothing material to work on. Nothing to consider but the mental attitudes of the victim and his possible enemies. And of those I know almost nothing. Small wonder I'm all at seal" ''True enough. old man. But for heavens sake get me out of it. Do you know since you've come, and the thing is getting into shape as you see it. I'm more than ever cer- tain my part in the matter must l come out
 Probably not. Croy. But if it is necessary, you'll have to buck ! mp and stand it. Better have the | thing lancei than to let it fester."
 "Yes. I know. And if it comes to that t'H stand up to it. of course. If it were not for Robin I'm make a clean breast of the whole matter, but the boy-and 
 T know. Don't think about 1t at present. We'll likely get q new line on it all tomorrow. Big hotel, isn't it??"
 "Yes, the NIajusaca is one of the newest and finest on the beach. We'll. here's your room; do get a little sleep"
 Fleming Stone didn't require much sleep. but the sea air made for drowsiness. and he put in . good nights rest before he joined ! Croydon Sears at breakfast. [
 Robin was there, too, and Ned Barron, the girls having their breakfast :n their rooms.
 Did the night bring any coun- sel?" Barron inquired, his big voice toned down to a discreet pitch.
 "Some,' Stone returned, smiling. But as told Sears. I'm all at sea, unless can get straw to show which way the wind may. can or must be blowing"
 You can't make bricks without straws. can you?" Robin smiled