Evening star., 1928-06-22

JOu HdIib W hilOW.
Markham persisted patiently.
You heard no one. Tor instance, cross
Miss Ada's room, or open Miss Adas
door?"
'pve already told you I heard moth
ing" The old ladys denial was vicious
ly emphatic.
Nor any one walking in the hall,
or descending the stairs?"
mo one but that incompetent doctor
and the impossible Sprcot. Were We
supposed to have had visitors this
morning."
"Scme one shot your son." Markham
reminded her coolly.
"It was probably ;1is own fault" she
snapped Then she seemed TO relent a
bit. still, Rex was not as hard and
thoughtless as the rest OF the chill
dren. But even he neglected me shame
fully" She appeared to weigh the
matter. Yes she decided, he re-
celveo just punishment for the way
he treated me"
Markham struggled with a hot re-
sentiment. At last ne managed to ask.
with apparent calmnsss:
Did you hear the shot with which
your son was punished?"
II did not" Her tone was again
irate. "I knew nothing Of the dis
turbsnce until the doctor saw mt to
tell me-"
"And yet Mr.. Rex's door. as we'll as
yours was open," said Markham. Il
can hardly understand your not hav-
ing heard the shot"
The old lady gave him look OF
scathing irony.
"Am I to sympathizs with your lacE
Of understanding
LEST you be tempted to, madam.
shall leave you" Markham bowed
stiffy and turned on his heel.
AS We reached the lower hall DR..
Doremus arrived.
Your friends are still at it, hear,
sergeant" he greeted Heath, with his
usual breezy manner. Handing hi
coat and hat to Sproot, he came
| forward and shook hands with all OF
us. when you fellows don't spoil my
breakfast you interfere with my lunch"
he repined. Where's the body?"
Heath led him upstairs. and after
a few minutes returned to the drawing
room Taxing out another cigar. ne
/ bit the end Of it savagely. We'll, sir.
guess you'll want 10 sec this Miss
| Sibelia next, won't you?'
We might as we'll sighed Mark
ham Then I'll tackle the servants
AMI leave things 70 you. The report
! ers will be along pretty Soon."
| Don't I know IT. And what they're
| going to do to us IN the papersu be
a-plenty"
And you can't even tell them 1t
| is confidently expected that an arrest
will be made in the immediate future
! don't y know" grinned Vance. Its
mos. distressin'"
/ Heath made an inarticulate noise Of
cxasperAtion and, calling Sproot. sent
/ hun for Sibella.
! A moment later she came in. car
| rying a small PomeraniaSa. She was
paler than had ever seen her. and
! thsle was unmistakable fright in her
ewes. When she greeted US it was
without her habitual gaiety.
| This thing is getting rather ghaStly.
! isn't it?" she remarked when she had
1T is indeed dreadful" returned
Markham soberly. "YoI have our very
| deepest sympathy. q. :"
"oh. thanks awf'ly" She accepted
| the cigarette Vance offered her. But
I'm beginning TO wonder how long III
/ be here to receive condolences" She
1 strained quality in her voice told OF
her suppressed emotion.
Markham regarded her sympa-
=: 40 not think 1t would be bad
| idea if Won went away foi a while
/ 10 some friends house, let US say
pyeferabIy out of ths city"
"Oh. no" She tossed her head with
/ defiance. II shant run away. II
there's any one really bent on killing
| me. he'll manage II somehow, wherev-
er = am. Anyway. I'd have TO come
I back sooner or later ! couldn't board
with out-of-town friends indefnitely-
could ~" She looked at Markham With
/ kind of anxious despair. You haven't
any idea, I suppose. who 1t Is that's
/ obscesSed with the idea Of exterminasing
US Greenes?"
| Markham was reluctant to admit to
4 her the utter hcpeleSsnesS OF the Of
fetal outlook; and she turned appeal
| ingly to Vance.
you needn't treat. me like child.
she said Spiritedly, You, at least, Mr.
/ Vance. can tell me If there Is any
| one under suspicion"
mo. dash it ell Miss Greenel-Athere
isn't" he answered promptly. It's an
amazin' confession to have 70 MAKE; nut
it's true. That's why, think, Ny,
Markham suggested that you 50 away
| for while"
that" she returned. But ! think III
| stay and see il through"
| you're very brave giri," said Marx
| ham. with troubled admiration. And
assure you everything humanity pos
sihle will be done TO safeguard you"
Well so much for that" she
I tossed her cigarette into receiver and
7 began abstractedly To pet the dos IN
her lap And now, suppose. you want
/. to know If I heard the shot. Well,
didn't. So You may continue the IN
QUESTION from that point"
"you were IN your room, though, az
the time Of your brothers death?"
st was i'll my room al morning, she
| said My first appearance beyond the
| threshold was when Sproot brought the
I sad tidincS OF ReNS passing. But Dr.
| Won Shooed me back again; and there
| I've remained until now. Model ce-
| hayior. don't you think. for member
4 az this new and wicked generaticne"
( What time did DR.. Won Blon come
| 70 your roone" asked Vance.
! Sibella gave him faint whimsical
smile.
I'm so glad it was you who asked
| that question I'm sure Mr., Markham
would have used a disapproviag tone
Though It's quite au fait 70 receive
ones doctor in ones ocpdoir. Let me
see. I'm sure you asked Or, Won the
same question, 50 ! must be care
fil, little before Il, should
say"
Heath SuSpicicuSly.
Sihella turned look OF amused sur
prise upon him.
Isn't that wonderful, But then, I've
always been told that honesty Is 'he
best policy"
And did DR. Won Rlon remain III
Your room until called by Sprocss" pur-
sued Vance.
'sOh. YES, He was smoking his pipe,
Mother deleStS pipes, and he often
SneakS into my room 70 enjoy Quiss
Nnokss
And what were you doing durinS the