New Britain herald., 1930-10-10

person and confute his enemies. Neither my wife nor I, sir, are well: I must ask you to retire. Lambert" raising his voice as he glimpsed the butler lettering outside the hall door. Show Inspector Mitchell out Good night, sir"
 With a profound bow, which in- cluded all in the room, Mitchell left them and Winslow turned feverishly 10 Thorne.
 Have you learned nothing about Elsa Chase?" he asked. T know what she testified" touching d newspaper on the floor with his foot; then, with a complete change of voice. The coroner insinuated she once lived in Boston-could it be true, man, that she's linked up with Kane?"
 Tn what way" swiftly. What manner of man was this Dr. kane?"
 With women-" Winslow shrug- eed his shoulders-"none too good. Do you suppose" his voice rose higher in his excitement, and Lucy, the housemaid, passing down the hall from arranging Mrs. Winslow's bedroom for the night, caught what he said, there was a love affair.""
 Involving Miss Chaser" Thorne looked at him quickly. Did you tell her that Dr. Kane was expected here Monday night?"
 No" Winslow rose and paced the floor with restless, tired steps. But then, if those two were" hesitatingly in his speech sug positively, Kane would have told her he was coming and she would have had time to plot against him. Off with the old love, you know, before you are on with the new-there's a motive, Thorne."
 Well, but the poison used" the detective was studying Mrs. Wins low
 "The poison" went on Thorne, becoming conscious that Winslow and his wife were waiting for him to complete his sentence; 'the poison used certainly precluded the possibility of Miss Chase being in- volved in the murder"
 Winslow shook his head vigor- ously. Nonsense" he objected. There's the nurse, Miss Kline-she knows chemistry"
 Bed pardon" the Interruption came from the open door and all three wheeled in that direction to find Miss Kline regarding them from the threshold of the hallway. Miss Elsa would be very glad to see Mr. Thorne if he will stop in the music room on his way out; with your permission, sir" with a deferential glance at Winslow.
 By all means" Winslow rubbed his hands together as he turned with eagerness to the detective. Go at once, Thorne. I'll see you later"
 Mrs. Winslow rose and threw her arms around his neck.
 Jack, .oh, Jack" she moaned and burst into tears. What madness to run away!"
 The great logs in the fireplace in the music room were burning bril- liantly and Elsa wheeled her chair dexterously along the walls until she had switched off all the electric lamps, the fire light suited her mood, giving her a sense of warmth and comfort. She was back in her place by the chimney corner when Thorne entered the long room.
 At first he did not sec her, partly hidden as she was by the high back of a wing chair, but when he did, he still did not hurry his footsteps, preferring to take a leisurely look at the beautiful furniture, the hand some tapestries and curios in cabi- nets.
 You sent for me-" he began soft ly after waiting an appreciable mo- ment for her to address him. What can l do for you, Miss Chaser"
 Elsa looked up and scanned him closely. Thorne's features were too rugged to be called actually handsome, but his dark, penetrating eyes under their heavy brows, his broad forehead with his black hair brushed carelessly across it indi- cated strength of character and an intelligence above the average. In the past 4S hours it had been Thorne she had looked for, Thorne she had noticed picking his unob- trusive way among them all, missing nothing, saying nothing; it was Thorne she had grown to dread as an enemy.
 "The inquest was absurd, farcical, she exclaimed. And yet the news papers took it seriously and they have dared picture Jack as a sus- pect.' Her eyes blazed up at him. challengingly. Jack is not guilty, Mir Thnrne V