The Coolidge examiner., 1933-12-15
CHAPTER X-Continaed

trifling indiscretion at the most,
that's all over with now; it is un-
reasonable that we should continue
to live apart like this" And in an
other, Mrs. Jordan wrote: You
surely can't be serious about get
ting a divorce; | refuse TO allow you
to cast off your obligations so
easily When he remained obdurate
and unforgiying, her insistence of
her claims was almost abusive.
Whatever caused their estrange-
ment, several references told Ran
kin it had occurred ten months ago,
on May sixth. That was Stuart's
last birthday, according TO Mr. Mer-
rick, and about three months after
his nuptials. That, Rankin realized,
finally explained his exchange of
schools; for 1t was subsequently in
May that he first mentioned his
decision TO get away from st. Louis
to some eastern college Though re-
solved on divorce, his hands were
tied until he reached twenty-five !;
the publicity Of the suit would ap-
prize his guardian of his unfortu-
nate marriage. And the secret had
TO be kept until Mr.. Merrick had no
further power to act under the
terms Of the will. But, while bound
to Laura Dumont for almost another
year, and maintaining her as was
his duty, the boy naturally sought
to avoid contact with her and for
get her as far as possible.
Apparently. though only three
months welded, the actress was al
ready faithless TO Jordan. During
his absences at Aberdeen, she had
lover with whom she carried on a
vulgar clandestine affair Her let
ters denied it, but it seemed this
intrigue had begun before her mar
riage, and despite her vows, coutln-
ued afterward. Stuart's discovery
of her inhdelity was evidently an ac-
cident; on May sixth, he had sur
prised her by an unexpected visit, in
place of his customary vacation the
previous weekend. But the com
plete story OF that disclosure
where it took place and the sue
ceeding events-Rankin could not
assemble.
Nor, searching each letter care
fully did he find the name of Mrs.
Jordan's paramour or any clue to
his identity-the man for whom she
played fast and loose with Stuart's
affections.
Not once, either, did she mention
her intention OF joining the boy in
Philadelphia, in March, and In view
of her statement, that it was pre-
arranged, the detective regarded it
with suspicion. But there was an
other Interpretation for her appear.
ance just at this time, so startling
that Rankin wiped his brow excit-
edly as ne contemplated It, Could
her five-day journey east by boat
be purposely TO establish an alibi
for herself covering the Tuesday
night of the murder? That she want
ed to protect herself, knowing in
advance when the crime would be
committed? Such conduct presup-
posed that she was aware of an
elaborate plot involving others, to
remove Jordan; but the theory was
not beyond the bounds Of proba-
bility.
The final deductions Rankin drew
from the last two letters In these,
when blanishments failed, she had
changed her tone. If Stuart did not
come to terms, she promised to ap-
prise Mr.. Merrick of his disastrous
nuptials before May sixth. 1t was
sheer bluff, of course, Rankin rea-
soned; such a betrayal would give
the guardian power to strip the
boy-and herself as well-of the
Jordan estate. Not even for re-
venge would she deliberately rob
herself of the coveted inheritance.
AT the same time, the situation
furnished the actress an all-power.
full motive for numbering Jordan be-
fore this twenty-second birthday. On
his death before twenty-five, there
was no danger of her ever losing the
property, either through the boy
himself, or through Mr.. Merrick. In
the absence of will, she alone, as
his lawful wife automatically fell
heir to his immense estate.
But beyond establishing this mo-
tive, the letters did not involve Mrs
Jordan; and Rankin refrained from
drawing far-fetched conclusions.
Nevertheless, the situation was sus-
picious enough to justify his swift
resolve to investigate the actress as
his next move.
Before Rankin could call it day
and go home, he received from the
sergeant a resume of his interview
with the nurse at the university hos
pital. 1t was a short one, but veri-
fed Bob Crawford's account of his
movements on Tuesday night as far
as Florence Dalton could verify it.
In accordance with Crawford's story.
he had remained with the girl until
morning.