Evening star., 1928-06-05

lew ScCOIlOS IdJCl SDtOCAl6 SlSCklCs az
companied by Chester, appeared in the
archway.
CHAPTER v.
Homicidal Possibilities.
(Tueslay, November 9: $3.50 p.m.)
Sibella entered with q firm, swinging
gait, her head held high, her eyes
sweeping the assemblags with bold in
terrogation, She was tall and of slen-
der, athletic build. and, though she
was not pretty, there was cold.
chiSeled attractiveneSs in her Inca
ments that held ones attention. Her
face was at once vivid and intense;
and there was a hauteur in her express
sion amounting almost to arrogance.
Her dark, crisp hair was bobbed but not
waved. and the severity of its lines ac-
centuated the overdecisive cast of her
features. Her hazel eyes were wide
spaced beneath heavy, almost horizontal
eyebrows; her nose was straight and
eighty prominent, and her mouth was
large and firm, with a suggestion OF
cruelty in its thin lips. She was dressed
simply in a dark sport suit cut extreme
ly short, silk-wool stockings of heather
mixture. and low-heeled mannish Ok
forrs.
Chester presented the district at
torney to her as an old acquaintance.
and permitted Markham to make the
other introductions.
II suppose you know. Mr.. Markham.
why Chet likes you" she said, In a
peculiarly plangent voice. You're enc
OF the few persons at the Marylebone
Club that he can beat at golf"
She seated herself before the center
tab,a. and crossed her knees comfort
ab'v.
II wish you'd get me a cigarette
Chet" Her tone made the request an
imperative
Vance rose at once and held out his
case.
DO try one OF these Resies. Miss
room manner III you say you don't
like them. / shall Immediately change
my brand"
Rash mani Sibella took cigarette
and permitted Vance to light 1t for her
Then she settled back in her chair and
gave Markham a qulzzical look. quite
q wild party we pulled here last night
wasn't Il? We've never had SO much
commotion in the old mansion. And
1t was just my luck to sleep soundiy
through 1t ALL" She made an aggrisved
moue "Chst didn't call ne till 1t was
all over, Just like hin1-Ae has a nasty
disposition"
Somehow her fiippancy did not shock
me as it might have done in different
type of person. But Sibella struck me
as a girl who. though she might feei
things keenly. would not permit any
misfortune t. get the better Of her.
end put her apparent calloaSness
down to q Coggsd il perverted, courage
business.
Markham. however, resented her at
titude.
"One cannot blame MIR. Greene for
not taking the matter lightly" he re-
proved her. The brutal murder of q
defenSelesS woman and the attempted
murder OF a young girl hardly come
under the head of diversion"
Sibella looked at him reproachfully.
You know, Mr. Markham. YOU sound
exactly like the Mother Superior of the
Stuffy convent / was confined in for
two years" She became suddenly grave.
why draw long face over some
thing that's happened and can't be
helped? Anyway. Julia never sought to
brighten her little corner She was al
ways Grabbed and faultflnding and her
good deeds wouldn't III book II may
be unSisterly TO say 1t, but she's not SO
ing to be missed so dreadfully. Chet
and are certainly not going TO pine
away"
And what about the brutal shoot
ing of your other Sisser2" Markham was
with difficulty controlling his indigna-
tion.
Sibellas eyelidS narrowed percep-
tibly, and the lines of her face became
set. But she erased the expression al
most at once.
We'll. AdaS going to recover. isn't
shee" Despite her effort. she was unable
to keep certain hardness out of her
voice She'll have nice long rest, and
a nurse to walt on her. Am I expected
to weep coplously because OF baby sis
terS escape9"
Vance, who had been closely watch
ing this clash between Sihelia and
Markham, now took hand In the con-
versation.
MY dear Markham. can't see what
Miss Greene'S sentiments have TO do
With the matter, Her attitude may not
be strictly III accord with the prescribed
conduct for young ladies ON such oC>
caSions, bat l feel sure she has excel
lent reasons for her point of view. Let
uS give over norali2ing. and seek Miss
0reens'S assistance instead"
The girl darted him an amused APP
khAANNs SAAA AeA<tt A8{ANtC
a gesture of indifferent acQuiescenee
II was plain that he regarded the pre-
sent inquiry as of little Importance.
Vance gave the girl an engaging
smile,
TITS really my fault, Miss Greene.
that we are intruding here" he apollo
gizad 1T was l, dye see, that urged
Mr.. Markham 10 hook into the case
after Your brother had expressed his
disbelief IN the burglar theory"
She nodded understandingly "Oh.
Chet sometimes has excellent lunches,
IT'S one Of his very tew merits"
"You. too, gather are seeptleal
In regard 90 the burglare"
"Seepticala" she gave short laugh,
I'm downright suspicious ! don't know
any burglars, though ia dearly love 10
meet one; but | simply can't bring my
Mighty brain 10 picture them going
about their fascinating occupation tha
way our little entertainer did last
night"
"Xcu positively thrill me" declared
Vance "Y' sae, our minority ideas
coincide perfectly"
mid Chet glye you any intenlglhle
explanation for his opinione" she asked
"I'm afraid not He Was inclined 10
Law hts feelings 60 metaphysical eauses
Hts conviction was due, took Il. 20
some kind OF psychtc visitation III
knew, but could not explain, he was
aNre bat had no proof II was NEST
lndefinite~~a bit eseterie in fact"