New Britain herald., 1929-09-17


 tion because Marliug alone could have been seen through the keyhole by the murderer. While tt.y were discussing thy unique theory. Lax ton arrives UnaXp rct1dly with T mass of pointed questions, especially concerning Cousin Joln's sudden de- parture and his black bag Laxton's snoring smile IS his significant comment on Toms story. as de- >is"d by Veronica, 0; the nights ad venture. They are interrupted hy an other arrival-Cousin John Merry weather. But this IS the real Cousin John. coming in response 10 an ur- gent invitation by Mrs. Grenofcn, who plans thercoy to puzzle the pro- lessor detective, I.aXior.
 Chapter 26
 TROTBIED CONSCIGNCES
 John Mcrrywcather entered with remarkable good humOr into thn conspiracy my mother had designed He never knew what it was all about. He hal an Irresistible impulse 10 do whatever my mother asked him.
 The climax of her plot was the . black hag-a touch O. g"niVs, that. It's triumph was the suggestion that hc should go the following morning and look mp LaXtoH at the Lord N"l- son and ask 10 be shown over the excavations at New Place.
 We instructed him exactly Tn his part. We told him that he had ar rived from Hollam Bay in q taxi on Tuesday night anl spent W"dnes- day, Thursday and Friday with us in bed with l very bad cold. On Friday night he had been call,i to ondon on business, and I had scan him off by the 9;40 train. IT, l,no" rothinG Of the trag .dy of pcll and was ignorant of any connection be tween that and the visitor We de- sired to keep secret from I.2Nton. Somebody Jumping his claim on the ruins, I s'pose,' said he. 'But don't want to knew. The less l know the less lt.icly to go wrong It was Sund " morning. He went down 10 tho village about Ialf-past 10 and found I.aXton at the inn. Whether he puzzled that astrte pgr- son was difficult to say. But he 1o1nd him entertaining. cy,n HrGt 10 q service at Markings ehurch with him, and had loo|: at tn" di2Eings afterwards.
 Meanwhile I sat 1t home in tine Harden weighing 'ho question ~hcthc. I should go 10 sv" Nor5ui- ca or leave her alone. wanted very mucl t0 sec her, but I feared that seeking her now nigh. seem lack Of faith.
 Ny mother came out and at be side me and lookal with me across the estuary 10 Passage.
 T was just thinking I want to look up the s abroIics," l saiI. and l don't"
 "Whv not:"
 "Eocause going might bo like ask ing questions"
 Queer beings, men, Tom sal my mother. Do you know, there's nothing moro amusing to d woman than man trying to let her down lightly Shed like to give him q good shaking. You're very fond ol Veronica. aren't you?"
 T think Miss Scahrokcs-"
 "Oh, Tom, po l Icok like a borr idiot? If I didn't know you wcr, head over ears in love with Ncroni. ca do you think I'd have But now I'm going over 10 Sandypoin' 10 sec Mrs Scabrolc. Will you ca- cort me-"
 Mother! You're wonderful" paused. "Iou know we're sailing pretty close to the Wind."
 T like excitement Nevcr Norr, q bone, Tom. And particularly cont try to tell mo how close tc the wind We are. l like Veronica "hiI" you - we'll, that's quit, enough. I'm going 10 get q hat"
 It vas quite true, l supposed. did not understand how the femi nine mind worked. Perhaps l ap rcarcd 10 Veronica Tn tn" sam, light. But she had said was ar understanding person.
 Al Sandypoint three fominn, minds worked 10 such purpose tha Mrs. SaabroIto and my mothc thought tramp along tho clifG would do Veronica good. and Vc ronica agreed.
 "Wcll," said Veronica then W, had got going at q good four mile an hour, "hoW's the poor foot?"
 i've got the handaEc off. and don't limp sos you'd notice it, q, r."
 Enormous lark, wasn't it? Thn skipper with his, Pardon, madam, N0us avcz'-;his that and the othc thing"
 'lmmcnsc." said l.
 We went quiet after that. For i vas not an enormous lark, and Nc lonlca knew it and l knew il w. Lad conceived and done q Garinj and dangerous thing, and the con sequences might be serious. w stepped it out in silence for a hal hour, side by side. She wake, well. small as Shc vas, being lith "''t ''l OIIS' III tl lllllt bfON II fTOcI "nd hat '" hich made her eyes seen bIurr than ever. she came alonj beside mo. q lovely picture of yout! and health.
 'IIow old are you?" she asllc suddenly
 Ala"," l said. "I ,-hall never rc @% again. And l feel 98. l suppos youd thought Of some figure be tween the tWO?"
 "I hadn't thought anything abou 1t -- except that we've been bchav ing like two children. Playing about Why don't you get in rage demand explanations? Carr on like anythinS?"
 ] weighed my answer. It bccam question.
 "DO you want mo 10 demand OK