The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-10-21
ON BY ha NN1 Im

Mary turned to 90, but ne halted
her with a word.
please, Miss Harkness-don't go.
must see you for a minute"
Mary looked about uncertainty for
Dirk. He must be here somewhere
or was this the gentleman to see
you," whom Bessie had announced?
I'm sorry, can't talk to you.
I'm going out. And BESIDES" she bit
her lips to still their tell-tale trem-
bling, and her voice broke, I'm too
upset"
Bowen had reached her side with
agility remarkable in man of his
generally rotund appearance. So
far as tact would permit, he had
placed himself between her and the
door, and cut off her retreat. 1t
was presumption, but this was a
big story and he couldn't afford to
fail.
II know I must seem a callous
BRUTE" he said, asking you ques-
tons just at this time. But in the
very nature of things, you know,
news can't wait. And there's some
thing that you and no one else, can
tell me-"
MARY said resignedly, 81 sup
I'VE pose you mean about my
brother" And could not resist add
ing, 81 should have thought your
interviews with the servants would
have given you all the material you
need"
Let's get down to business, Miss
Hardness. Why didn't you tell In
spector Kane that your brother was
here last night?"
Because" Mary retorted, 81 don't
know that he was. And neither does
any one else"
"You expected him, thought"
eyes. He telephoned me about
half after II that he was in trouble,
and must see me at once. The maid
should have let him in.
"You understand that was neceS-
Sary, because no one was being ad-
mitted except invited guests. But
she was busy, and she carelessly left
the door unlocked.
mo one came, or went, that we
know Of. locked the door again
myself, after I came down from-up
there"
"But some one might have come
and gone, you admit that. And it
might have been your brother. And
during that time-how long was it?
about twenty minutes altogether
Mrs. Jupiter was robbed and
killed"
eyes. But Eddie had nothing to
do with it. I'm as sure of that as I
am of God" Their eyes met and
held. 'You believe me, don't you?"
Before the sincerity in the girls
gray eyes, Bowen found himself
saying Yes" and meaning it.
"You won't put anything in your
paper about it, will your"
Bowen heSitated, but only for a
minute. st have to, Miss Hank
ness" There was real regret in his
voice.
you couldn't wait until I see my
brother and find out what he
knowS?"
Perhaps I could do that. When
are you seeing hin?"
This afternoon. Now. AS soon
as Mr.. Ruyther comes" She looked
at her wrist watch. Dirk had not
come, and it was long past the hour!
He was not in the house, evidently;
worriedly, she took up the tele-
phone, and called his home.
The newspaper mans zeal for
beat began to gleam in Bowen's
eyes. The spell that beauty in dis
tress had cast over him for the mo-
ment abated before the thrilling
realization that the biggest story in
years was in reach of his hand.
Lovely this girl might be, and ever
so innocent, but her brother was
red-handed murderer, if ever there
was one, according to his way of
thinking.
May I go with you?" he asked,
eagerly. Whatever your brothers
story is, it must be told some time,
and if I could get to him first"
But Mary was not listening; she
was waiting tensely while maid
went to call Dirk to the telephone.
Presently a woman's tones came
drifting over the wire. Mrs. Ruy-
theirs.
"Oh, Mary" she said, languidly.
Dirk asked me to call him, but the
poor boy is sleeping so soundly! I
hadn't the heart to wake him. Can't
it wait awhile, whatever it tsp"
(TO Be Continued
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