The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-01-01
--Gualtieri Photo.

room. |. By the way. Miles, since you and your wife are kind enough to want to take Lydia in and give her home and a job, 1 think it only fair to tell me that it is | highly improbably that Lydia Carr will take any job at all.' You mean-?" Miles gasped. his ruddy face turning pale. "I say, Dundee, it's absurd to think for a minute that good old faithful Lydia had thing to do with Nita's mur- der-''
 "1 rather think you're right about that. Miles," Dundee inter- rupted. Now will you excuse me 2" He found Lydia where he had left her-in her dead mistress bedroom. | The tall. gaunt woman was crouch ing beside the chaise lounge, her arms outstretched to encircle a little pile of the gifts she claimed to have given Nlta Selim' to prove that she bore no grudge for the terrible injury her mistress had done her. At Dundees entrance she flung up her head.
 Taking his seat on the chaise lounge, Dundee explained gently but briefly the offer which Tracey Miles had just made. LIEF ,.
 They wai1t-me?" she gasped, brokenly, incredulously. and her fingers faltered to her horrible cheek. "I didn't think anybody but my poor girl would have me around"
 "It is true they want you" Dun- dee assured her. "But you don't have to take job now unless you wish. Lydia"
 What do you mean?" the maaid demanded harshly. her good eye hardening with suspicion.
 "Lydia," the young detective be- 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 Nita herself had just told me that it was she who had burned your face. And you asked me if she had also given you q message"
 "Yes, sir!" the maid interrupted with pitiful eagerness. And you'll tell me now? You don't still think | killed her. do your" rV"
 No, 1 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. No. wait" and he drew from his pocket the envelope in- scribed: '"To be Opened in Case of My Death - Jutnlta Leigh Selim."
 Do you recognize this handwrit- ing, Lydia?'
 ''It was wrote hy her own hand" the maid answered, her voice husky with tears. ''Is that the message, sir?"
 You never saw it before?" Dun- dee asked sharply.
 "No, no! I didn't know my poor girl was thinking about death," Lydia moaned. "I 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 them. Tt was written yesterday. and it begins:
 Knowing that any of us may die any time and that l. Juanita Leigh Selim, have good cause to fear that my own life hangs by d thread that may break any min ute-'"
 What did my poor girl mean?"
 
 "She wasn't sick, ever--" "I think, Lydia, that she feared exactly what happened to-day murder! And I want you to tell me who it was she feared. For I be- | lieve you know!" The woman shrank from him. For d long minute she did not at tempt to answer.
 "I-don't-know." she said duly. Then with vehement emphasis: I don't know! If l did, I'd kill him with my own hands!"
 Dundee had no choice but to take her word. There was no use, either, in touturing this woman now with his earlier convictions: that Nita Selm had lived in terror of Lydia Carrs smoldering hatred for the injury she had done her.
 "You said there was message | for me. Lydia reminded him. This is the 'messag age." Dundee said quietly, lifting the sheets again: CT am herewith setting down my last will and testament. In my own handwriting. do here and now solemnly will and be- queath to my faithful and beloved maid. Lydia Carr, all property. in- cluding all moneys. stocks and per- sonal belongings of which l die possessed'.'
 gro me?" Lydia whispered. gro me?"
 "ro you. Lydia" Dundee assured her gravely. watching her intently. Then 1 can have all her pretty clothes to keep aiways?" | And her money. to do as you like with. If the court accepts this l will for probate--as l think it will