The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-12-12


Dundee, it's absurd TO think for a
minute that good old faithful Lydia
had a thing to do with Nitas muir
der"
4 rather think you're right about
that, Miles" Dundee interrupted.
Now will you excuse me?"
He found Lydia where he had
left her-in her dead mistress bed
room. The tall, gaunt woman was
crouching beside the chaise Tongue,
her arms outstretched to encircle a
little pile of gifts she claimed to
have given Nita Selim to prove that
she bore no grudge for the terrible
injury her mistress had done her
At Dundee's entrance she flung up
her head.
Taking his seat on the chaise
Tongue, Dundee explained gently but
briefly the offer which Tracey Miles
had just made.
They want -me?" she gasped,
brokenly, incredulously and her fin
gers faltered to her horrible cheek.
I didn't think anybody but my poor
girl would have me around"
1T is true they want you" Dun
dee assured her. But you don't
have to take a job now unless you
wish, Lydia"
What do you mean?" the maid
demanded harshly, her good eye
hardening with suspicion.
n
II YDIA," the young detective be-
II gan slowly, and almost pray
ing that he was doing the right
thing, when I woke you up tonight
to question you, I said that Mia
herself had just told me that it was
she who had burned your face. d.
And you asked me if she had also
given you a message"
Eyes, sirl" the maid interrupted
with pitiful eagerness. And you'll
tell me now? You don't still think
killed her, do your"
mo, I don't think you killed your
mistress, Lydia, but I think, if you
would, you could help me find out
who did" Dundee assured her
gravely. mo, wait!" and he drew
from his pocket the envelope in
scribed: ITO Be Opened in Case Of
My Death-Juanita Leigh Selim. &"
do you recognize this hand
writing, Lydia?"
ut was wrote by her own hand"
the maid answered, her voice husky
with tears. rs that the message,
sir?"
you never saw it before?" Dun
dee asked sharply.
mo, mol 1 didn't know my poor
girl was thinking about DEATH"
Lydia moaned. ct thought she was
happy here. She was tickled to
pieces over being taken up by all
them society people, and on the go
day and night"
Lydia. this is Mrs. Selims last
will and testament" Dundee inter-
rupted, withdrawing the sheets
slowly and unfolding them. ut was
written yesterday. and it begins:
Knowing that any of us may
die any time, and that I, Juanita
Leigh Selim, have good cause to
fear that my own life hangs by
thread that may break any min
ute"
What did my poor girl mean?"
Lydia Carr cried out vehemently.
"She wasn't sick, ever"
I think, Lydia, that she feared
exactly what happened today
murderl And I want you to tell me
who it was she feared. For I be-
lieve you know!"
The woman shrank from him.
For long minute she did not at
tempt to answer.
"I-don't-know," she said duly.
Then, with vehement emphasis: 81
don't know! If I did Ill kill him
with my own hands!"
Dundee had no choice but to take
her word. There was no use, either,
in torturing this woman now with
his earlier conviction: That Mia
Selim had lived in terror of Lydia
Cars smolderlng hatred for the
injury she had done her.
4 y
you said there was a message
for me-" Lydia reminded him.
This is the message" Dundee
said quietly, lifting the sheets
again: II am herewith setting
down my last will and testament, in
my own handwriting.
Il do here and now solen1nly
will and bequeath to my faithful
and beloved maid, Lydia Carr, all
property, including all moneys,
stocks and personal belongings of
which I die possessed"
Toner" Lydia whispered. ITO
me?"
ITO you, Lydia" Dundee assured
her gravely, watching her intently.
Then I can have all her pretty
clothes to keep always"
And her money, to do as you
like with, if the court accepts this