Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-04

Marjorie. Therefore he gained nothing
by the death of Annabelle Querdling.
Jimmie congratulated Audrey, who
explained that their reason for keeping
their engagement secret was that they
did not wish Mrs. Netherton to feel
that she was adding to Bills financial
burden by living with him and thereby
delaying MS marriage. 1T will take
longer to pay the debt, and that is
the big thing we are working and hop
ing for"
Jimmie did not Immediately reply.
The girls quiet words carried convic-
ton that she loved Bill Netherton and
that she knew Bill loved her.
II am glad to know" he said. '1
will do all I can to help you. Had
Marjorie, to your knowledge, an attach
ment?"
Audrey hesitated. IT do not think
has had many friends. If Bill was an
old sweetheart. that was also true of
other boys around here"
Il understand. Could you not find
out from Bill II there IVES any particu-
lar reason for his meeting Marjorie as
he did? 1t is for his own sake. Beth
Bill and Marjorie seem to be holding
something back, but if it could be
shown that Bill loved you, it would
CIcdI
Jimmie could see, however. that for
the doctor suddenly to announce his
engagement to another girl might sug-
gast that he saw his danger and took
the step to save himself. There was
silence fer few moments, broken final
ly when Audrey asked Jimmie If he did
not think Green, the chauffeur, guilty
Jimmie asked her reasons.
1T was shown that Green could
have done it," she said. Janet Raynes
of whom he is fond. told one of cur
maids of his threats to get even"
Jimmie told her that this was not
evidence and might net have weight
The important thing to be cleared up,
he added, was the car that ALI Collett
saw gong toward the links and that
Green saw empty against the garden
fence.
"A Morris two-seater?"
"Yes-l!ke Capt. Strings. Stirling
says it is not his and he was on the
way to Midglsy Moor at the time. APP
p,rently he called to see SINE cousins.
hut. according to Supt. Richmond, the
time at which he got there Goes not
preclude the possibility Of it having
been the car that Green and Collett
saw. What do you know about Stir
lingo"
Audrey was silent for a time. I
can't see Dickie Stirling doing a shabby
thing like that. He's quite poor but
very proud. Following the war, in
which he was wounded and distln-
guished himself. he was swindled out
of his small holdings and settled here
in what he calls his shack. after refus-
ing a clerks job, which he said some
one might need more than he did.
Are Bill and Stirling on coed terms?"
mo. particularly. Bill does not much
care for him. Dickie does net try to
make friends"
WHY did Bill want to see him that
right? Stirring. according to Rich
n?ond. was net expecting him, and has
not spoken TO him or heard from him
1ince.''
DO you want me to ask Bill that?"
YeS-if you can without seeming
unduly inquisitiye! When We know
that, and We know about the car. we
shall get the whole thing into shape"
However. the next two days show ed
little progress. Jimmie was still worry
ing about that empty car. Whoever
drove it was not far away when the
crime was committed and left soon
after. To determine the driver was i'm
portant.
When Jimmie saw Richmond he
found him depressed and ranking I'M
der press criticism of his efforts. The
story told by Vincent Blake had been
verified as far as possible. That he
could have committed the crime was
admitted but this was true of Gresham
or Green. The superintendent. still be-
lieving Netherton and Marjorie guilty.
explained that they were on their guard
and no longer met.
Jimmie did not tell him Of Bills en-
gagement to Audrey Winford. 1t was
their secret and they must divulge 1t
when they saw fit
Meanwhile the delay affected matri-
monial plans. Evelyn told Jimmie that
she and Duckworth would not wed un-
til all the troubles were over. The
singer she said had cancelled his en-
gagements in the nearby theater so as
to avoid criticism and to be near her.
Jimmie, talking with Audrey, learned
that she had suggested to Bill that
their engagement be announced and
that they be married at once.
He said" her hesitancy yelled
deep feeling. well. he was Bill. He
said he would not drag me into trouble
and put the engagement of until
things cleared"
Perhaps he is right" Jimmie con-
soled. LAS he sees it, it would be cow
ardly to proclaim it now"
She had asked Bill about his meet
ings with Marjorie and his call on
Stirling, and her voice faltered as she
repeated his answer. I'VE are not en-
gagged now, Audrey. So you have no
right to ask me. Trust me if you can. y
Did you point out that the broken
engagement left him free to marry
Msriorie?" Jimmie's question struck
her like a blow.
mo, Mr.. Haskell. Is that your idea
Of love?"
"Ior1,,,a ,,,a I, he so;d .nd u,bep che
smiled back re added Now, will you
try to find out who owned that empty
carp"
"I will trv to"