Evening star., 1932-06-19
One of The Star
Maga2iue Ust
Run Stories, Com
bletc IN One Issue.
Wateh fmAuother
Sto,yNextSunday.

~ ILL PARDEES penchant for asking
queer questions at unpropitious times
* completely changed the character Of
\ what was developing into dull first
IL evening at the hunting lodge
We .had been talking in a desultory
manner about crimes Jack Reynolds. news
paper editor, recalled some unusual cases he
had covered in reportorial days; Judge Wilson
contributed some "reminiscences from his legal
experience and Amos Knowlton told how his
drug store had once figured in notorious muir
der as the place at which the murderer had
bought poison listened. and so did Bill and
Dr. Carlton, Amos guest and the stranger III
the party.
In spite Of the drama of the narratives how
ever nobody seemed greatly interested in them
The fact was that on the long drive to the
lodge in the judges car we had talked and
listened all we wanted to for one day or
thought had. We had got acquainted with
DR.. Carlton and We had renewed those friend
ships that required renewal. The hunting trip
had been an annual event for years for Bill,
Amos and myself
Jack came when he could and the judge
hadn't been with us for 20 years. In fact, we
hadn't seen the judge for that length of time:
after earning really enviable reputation as a
criminal lawyer. he had given UP his practice
almost overnight, and gone to ST. Louis where
he joined firm of corporation lawyers Natu-
rally he had lot TO tell US and we had a lot
to tell him.
THE ride, however, had been long enough for
] us to get ourselves up to date with each
ether. So now We sat by the fireplace, killing
time rather stupidity. We steadily becom-
ing more dull than we were drowsy when Bill
interjected his question.
What would happn," he asked, "if two per-
sons. acting Independently and from different
motives should kill the same person at the
same time?"
For moment no one attempted an answer.
Then, to my surprise, DR.. Carltcn spoke.
Il know what happened in one case in
which two persons killed the same man at the
same time" he said. 1T a strange and
fascinating story. Some of you may remember
it. The Warrener case?'
The Judge nodded and Jack recalled that he
had written one or two stories about it.
Go ahead and tell us about it, DOCTOR"
urged Bill
Sure said Jack. II remember it vaguely
as a most unusual story. Let's hear it."
Most of the business Of the drama took place
not far from here, less than hundred miles
the State line in the village of Clovely,"
the doctor began, "and one scene may have
been enacted in this very pleasant room.
There were four principal characters Her
bert Warrener, DR.. Walter Gordon Nellie Lind
say and Sara Lee. knew them all and watched
the drama develop step by step into tragic
climax. I was young, impressionable, and each
detail is still clear in my mind.
''Warrener important man in the
town. He had plenty Of money, which he had
inherited and he carried on big stock farm
with success.
"Nellie Lindsay the niece Of Warrener's
housekeeper; a slim, vivid little girl, whom
Warrener had loved. Indeed, his affair with
the girl had advanced to the stage at which he
planned matrimony. Then the aunt stepped in
and told Warrener there insanity in the
family of NellieS mother. That ended the
romance. Warrener loved the girl sincerely
enough, think but he was afraid OF hereditary
insanity. He had great pride in his name and
in his family and he wouldn't risk injecting
into it strain Of madness
"She sent Nellie away to the home of another
relative and Warrener settled down to a few
months steady work on his farm. Then, in
June Sara Lee graduated from college and
returned to Clovelly for the first time in four
years, her vacations having been spent tray
cling.
Sara Lee was the most beautiful girl ever
saw I won't try to describe her. The judge
probably has seen her and others Of the party
may recall her pictures as they appeared in
So I'll let memory and imagination depict her
for you; neither paint too attractive
picture"
The doctor paused and relghted his cigar
with hand that, it seemed to me, trembled q
bit Amos took advantage of the intermission
to throw another log on the fire. The living
room in which We were gathered was large
and exposed to the northeast wind which was
driving a cold autumnal rain with bowling