Evening star., 1932-06-26
INSTALLMENT XIII.

~ ONT you find it very bleak
:s5 $sss,, S;s; = asked %'ii' ii'p''''' a'' SaE $
"Oh, we love it. Such a
change. We're South Africans, you
know
Her tone was brisk and ordinary.
Really What part of South Africa?'
oh! The Cape. Violet has never been
IN England before. She Is enchanted
with it--flnds the snow most romantic:
This house is really most comfortable.
What led you to come 10 this part
of the world?" There was just gentle
curiosity in his voice.
We've read so many books on Devon
shire, and especially on Dartmoor. We
were reading one on the boat. I've al
ways had a hankering to see Dart
moor"
what made you fix on Exhampton?
It's not a very well known little town. y
"Well-we were reading these books
as l told you, and there was boy on
board who talked about Exhampton-
he was so enthusiastic about 1t.
What was his name?" asked the in
spector. Did he come from this part
of the world?"
Now. what was his name? Cullen
Llllllh. NO-lb was AOlAAJ NAACs law SNNfAN
of me- l really can't remember. You
know how it is on BOARD ship. inspector,
you get to know people so well, and a
week after you've landed you can't even
be sure Of their names!"
She laughed.
But he was such a nice boy-not
good looking. reddish hair, but a de-
lightful smile
And on the strength Of that you
decided to take a house in these parts?
said the inspector, smiling.
Yes. wasn't it mad Of us?"
Clever" thought Narracott Dis
Willetts methods. She always carried
the war into the enemy's country.
The inspector rose. How did you
know the name of a house agent to
write to in Exhampton?" he asked.
There was q pause. The first pause
in the conversation. he thought ne
caught glimpse Of vexation, more OF
anger in Mrs. Willett's eyes. He had
hit upon something to which she had
not thought out the answer. She turned
toward her daughter.
How did we, Violet? I can't re-
member"
There was a different look in the
girls eyes. She looked frightened.
why. of course" said Mrs. Willett.
"Delfridges Their information bureau.
It's too wonderful. always go and in
ouire there about everything"
Quick" thought the inspector. very
quick. But not quite quick enough. L
had you there, madam.
He made a cursory examination OF
the house There was nothing there.
No papers, no locked drawers or cup
boards.
Mrs. Willett accompanied him, talk
ing brightly. He took his leave. tnanK-
caught q glimpse of the girls 1ace
over her shoulder There was no mis-
taking the expression on her face.
II was fear. Fear written there
plainly at this moment when she
thought herself unobServed.
Mrs. Willett was still talking.
ALIAS. We have one grave drawback
here The domestic problem, inspector
Servants will not stand these country
places. All Of mine have been threat
ening to leave us for some time, and the
news of the murder seems to have un-
settled them utterly. Perhaps man serV-
ants would answer the case"
The inspector answered mechanically
He was thinking of the expression he
had surprised on the girls face.
Mrs. Willett had been clever-but not
quite clever enough.
He went away cogitating on his prob
lem. If the Willetts had nothing to
do with Capt Trevelyan's death, why
was Violet Willett afraid?
He fired his last shot. With his foot
actually over the threshold of the front
door he turned back.
by the way" he said. you know
young Pearson, don't your"
There was no doubt of the pause this
time. A dead silence of about a second.
Then Mrs Willett spoke. "Pearson?"
she said II don't think"
j. She was interrupted. A queer signing