Evening star., 1935-09-01

iClulIiCu " lIlC
dining-room | found Mr.. Paul over
at the window. He had partly opened
it. and seemed to be listening care
fully. He turned round with start.
Its still showing hard" he said
with laugh. We're lucky to have
reached here"
Very" l agreed, land by morning
the roads will be blocked for miles"
thought | could see curious
CLEAN of satisfaction in his eye as he
closed the window and drew the cur
tains, though laid no stress upon it
at the time. When we went upstairs.
Dunstan and his wife were waiting
with lighted candles; and the old
woman took Lucille Paradene to her
room, while | went in the opposite
direction with Mr.. Paul.
The more | thought about MIR.
Paul's attitude, the less liked it.
Why had he kept silent about the
reason for his hurried journey to Fall
con Castle? even began to wonder
whether he and Lucille Paradene had
spoken the truth about their having
known nothing of Felix Swinburn's
death. and felt certain that Mr. Paul
could have told me lot about my
grandfather if he had chosen to do so.
/ rose and strolled over to an Oil
painting that hung in the dining-room.
If the portrait were at all accurate,
Felix Swinburn's features had Ger
tainly not been prepossessing. For it
was sneering, aged face that looked
down at me, heavily lined. with
sunken lips that were sensuous and
cruel, and cynical eyes that had in
them the reflection of evil things.
That he had degenerated in middle
age had been the London lawyers
way Of explaining how his clients for
tune had been dissipated. When he
had come to Falcon Castle for the
shooting in August, he had given par
ties that were notorious for their
absence of decorum and even decency.
In the more raffish circles of Paris, his
orgies had been by-word. So much
the lawyer had reluctantly admitted
to me, and the revelations had left
me astonished that the old roue had
thought fit to mention me in his will.
With sudden impulse went back
to the fireplace and pulled the bell
rope.
Close the door, Dunstan," said
when the old manservant appeared.
I'D like to have a few words with
you"
With discreet cough. he came
slowly forward. "Yes, sir?"
II was wondering if you knew any
thing about the gentleman and lady
who arrived here tonight" l began.
"You may think it odd my asking you
this, but I've got a reason. I'm talking
confdentially. you understand
Il understand. sir" replied Dun
stan, giving me an uneasy glance.
MIR. Paul tells me he's been several
times to Falcon Castle" continued.
did he seem an intimate friend of
Mr.. Swinburn's?"
"On the contrary. sir" said Dun
stan. Il don't know what MIR. Pauls
business was with the master. His
visits were always very short - ten or
fifteen minutes at the most. 1t didn't
seem to me they were friends at all.
More like the opposite -"
Although l disliked the idea of ques-
tioning a servant about two people
who were my own guests, l thought
might as well delve q little deeper.
'Mr. Paul told me he came here in
answer to an urgent letter from MIR.
Swinburn - and for some reason he
didn't receive it until last night"
Dunstan blinked at me, then shook
his head. Begging your pardon, sir,
don't think a message could have
been sent to him. l didn't post any
letters from the master - not in the
last few days before he died
This made me sit up. Then what
the devil has brought Mr.. Paul here?"