Evening star., 1932-06-24
INSTALLMENT XII.

- went on, Aunt Jennuer Is
rather a wonderful person.
4 She's got character. Still,
after all, she wasn't very far
away, she was only at Exeter. She
might have come over to see her
brother, and he might have said some
thing nasty about her husband whom
she adores, and she might have seen
red and snstched up sandbag and
biffed him one"
''Do you really think SOP" said Mr..
Enoerby obviously.
mo, not really. But one never knows.
Then, Of course, there's Evans, Capt.
Trevelyan's man, He gets only f100
under the will and seems all right. But
there again, one never knows. His wife
is Mrs. Belling's niece. You know Mrs.
Belling who keNs the Three Crowns,
I think I shall weep on her shoulder
when I get back She looks rather a
notherly and romantic soul. I think
she would be terribly sorry for me with
my young man probably going to prison,
and she might let slip something use
full And then. Of course, there's Sitta-
ford House. Do you know what struck
me as queer?"
mo, what?"
These people, the willetts The ones
that took Capt. Trevelyan's house fur
nished in the middle Of Winter. It's an
awfully queer thing to do
yes, it is odd" agreed Mr.. Enderby
There might be something at the bot
tom Of that-something to do with
Capt. Trevelyan's past life.
That seance business was queer, too"
he added.
What seance business?"
Mr.. Enderby recounted it with guSto.
Emily gave slight shiver II hate
supernatural things" she said. Just
for once, as you say, ii does look as
though there was something in 1t. But
how-how gruesomel"
This seance business never seems
very practical, does it? II the old boy
could get through and say he was dead,
why couldn't he say who murdered
him?"
II feel there may be a clue In Sitts-
ford" said Emily thoughtfully.
Yes, 1 think we ought to investigate
there thoroughly" said Enderby. 1--WE
hired car and I'm starting there in
about half an hour You had better
come along with me-"
Il will" said Emily, rising to her
feet. Its about time we went back to
the Three Crowns, and I will pack my
suit case and do short weeping act on
Mrs. Belling's shoulder"
OOil YOU NOIIH, SdlQ MI. EnQerEV
rather fatuously. You leave everything
to me-"
That's just what I mean to do"
said Emily with a complete lack of
truth. ITS so wonderful to have some
one you can really rely on
Emily Trefusis was really a very ac-
conplished young woman.
On her return to the Three Crowns,
Emily had the good fortune to run right
into Mrs. Belling in the hallway.
oh! Mrs. Belling," she exclaimed.
II am leaving this afternoon
Exeter, miss?"
No I am going up to Sittaford."
ITO Sittaford?"
Mrs. Belling's countenance showed
the most lively curiosity.
Yes, and wanted to ask you IL you
knew anywhere there where I could
stay
You want to stay up thereP"
The curiosity was heightened.
Yes, that ls-Ohl Mrs. Belline is
there somewhere I could speak about to
you privately for moment?"
With something like alacrity Mrs.
Belllng led the way to her own pri-
Vate sanctuni. A small comfortable
room with large fire burning.
You won't tell any one, will your"
began Emily, knowing well that Of all
openings on earth this one Is the most
certain to provoke interest and SYM
pathy.
No, indeed, miss, that WON'T said
Mrs. Belling her dark eyes aglitter with
You see. Mr.. Pearson--you know"
here on FridayS And that the poIice
have arrested?" f-Oe
"ArrestedP Do you mean really
Yes, miss. Not half an hour ago"
Emily had gone very white. you
you're sure of that?"
OH yes, miss. Our Amy had It
from the sergeant
It's too awful" said Emily. She had
been expecting this, but 1t was none the
better for that. you see. Mrs. Bel
ling, I'm engaged to him. And he
didn't DO 1t, oh dear, it's all too
And here Emily began to CRY. She
had announced her intentions to En-
derby Of doing so, but what appalled,
ner SO was with what ease the tears
came. To cry a.. will is not an easy
accomplishment. There was something
much too real about these tears. It
frightened her. She mustn't really
give way. Giving way wasn't the
least use to Jim. To be resolute, log
1cal and clear sighted-these were the
qualities that were going to count in
this game. Sloppy crying had never
helped any one yet.
But it was relief all the same to
let yourself 60 After all she had meant
TO cry. Crying would be an undeni-
able passport to Mrs. BeIling's sympathy
and help. So why not have a good
cry while she was about 1t. A real
orgy Of weeping in which all her
troubles, doubts and unacknowledged
fears might find vent and be swept
away
There, there, my dear, don't ee take
on so" said Mrs. Belling.
She put large motherly arm around
Emily's shoulders and patted her con-
solingly.
Said from the start, I have, that
he didn't do it. A regular nice young
gentleman. A lot of chuckle-heads the
police are. and so I've said before now.
Some thieving tramp is great deal
more likely. Now, don't ee fret, my