Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-10

yes, Sir"
do you think it possible that any
one could have left that door yonder
without your seeing him?"
Roose scratched his head.
1t was a dark night" he answered,
and the house frontage is long. I
kept as sharp lookout as I was able,
and I'd hardly believe any one could
get by me; but I couldn't swear that
he did not"
Morse compared Balloons signature
In one OF his books with that found
on the typewriter sheet, and pro-
nounced the latter authentic.
"A little uncertain" he observed, "as
II written under emotional stress, but
otherwise quite the same" Then, draw
ing magnifying glass from his pocket,
he set to studying the paper
Where's Carl Ballion?" he asked
finally. But Carl had gone out to in
form Eleanor of what had happened.
Look there, Ames," he said, handing
me the glass, what do you see at the
bottom of the sheet?"
saw what appeared to be scratches,
such as one makes absent-mindedly
with finger-nail; but, looking more
closely, they seemed to form a success
sion OF distorted letters. I attempted
to reconcile these arabesques with the
words Francis Ballion, but without re-
suit.
Here" said Morse, tearing out a
sheet from his notebook, trace down
exactly what you see."
Thus enjoined, arrived at strange
code message.
He compared this with the original
and found it fairly accurate
should have copied about the same
thing-only your z may be intended for
an s and your II looks very much like
. U. However, I want to examine this
With more powerful glass. Besides,
there's probably nothing in it."
He had finished examining the type
writer, which stood under its black COW
ering near the desk, when Carl re-
turned.
by the way" said the latter, "you
promised to show me why you thought
that door was closed by some one who
remained inside the house"
But Morse shook his head.
Eve given you enough theories. But
perhaps you will tell me what impress
sion your brother made on you last
night"
IF you mean" said Carl whether
had the Temotest idea that he in
tended anyehing like this, 1 had not.
He seemed to me a trifle restless, a
tride uneasy, but that was natural
under the circumstances. stayed with
him two or three hours; he showed
himself very affectionate with me-"
Her, Balloons voice thickened;, II
loved him in spite of everything" he
added. 1.-The only thing that might
have limited at such action as this was
that he spoke of his will. It seems that
he left me his heir"
Perhaps you can tell me one last
thing I'm curious about. Your brother
had a famous collection of gems. Do
you know where he kept it?" I'D
II don't. It will doubtless be men
toned in his papers,"
Certainly" agreed Morse. "Well,
the case is over. I'm sorry for the
part played in it. I'll take steps to
determine whether your brother Is ac-
tually dead, but have no doubts about
that. A strange man he was.
wonder II you'd mind lending me sew
eral of his books-those dealing with
the history Of the Baglioni?"
Whichever you please" answered
Carl.
At this point, a man entered to an
nounce that the coroner had arrived,
and we went out to attend the inquest.
One after another the dispositions
were taken-a matter of routine, for
Balloons confession had rendered the
coroner's finding perfunctory. One by
one the remaining actors Of the drama
described their roles and were silent.
I wondered idly how the course of
these various lives, which had been
brought together in mutual shadow,
would now shape itself, and In what
different scenes-for Hasta, neat and
tnscrutable as always; for Eleanor,
whose black dress and hair cast into
sharp relief a face grown quickly
older; for Morse in his restless trade;
and for myself also. This afternoon, I
thought, Greyhouse would belong def
nitely to the past.
was gradually impressed by the
complete nonchalance of NorSe's atti-
tude, and ascribed it to chagrin. When
the expected conclusion had been
reached and the inquest was over, he
remained seated moment and then
left the room without a word.
But at this point an incident hap
pened that proved decisive in my expe-
rience at Greyhouse. It was merGy
that Eleanor Graham asked me to visit
her maid, Anne Roderick, who had been
taken Ill earlier in the morning. On
examination it appeared, indeed, that
she had an infiammatory affection of
the heart.
THAT means" faltered Eleanor, "that
I must stay here?" The droop in her
voice indicated what effort of will she
had used In remaining at Greenhouse
thus far. The maid stretched out her
hand in an appeal.
Don't let me be alone here" she
muttered, mot alone in this house
with strangers. I'm afraid, afraid. 1t
won't hurt me to be moved. Take me
with you, dear Miss Eleanor" And,
though insisted that nurse or sew
eral nurses could be sent, and that
Miss Graham's presence wasn't In the
least necessary, she took Eleanor's hand
and kept drawing 1t toward her.
"Why, Of course" said Eleanor, I
wouldn't dream of going. You see,"
she continued, turning to me with
forced cheerfulness, "I can't leave Grey
house yet. You'll send nurse. won't
you, Richard? But" and her courage
failed an instant, who'll stay with us
In this house? I've become so silly, so
abject! I remember the things Cena
used to say. I imagine I hear things
at night - last night, for instance,
though it was quiet, thought heard
the wind, a cry such as the wind makes
outside Or was it human cry? But
frankly, I'm on edge. Richard, do you
think it would be possible" she hesl-
tated-"that you could spend a lew
nights here? know it's asking a great
deal, but you can drive to town In
fifteen minutes, and your Office or hos
pital engagements wouldn't be dis
turbed. I suppose Morse would leave
one of his men here, If asked him, but
that wouldn't be the same" She
paused. then added, "Be perfectly
frank, though, if it's inconvenient."
wanted to say that / would gladly
sacrifice any pleasure for this one OF
mounting guard at GreyhouSe. But ]