The Coolidge examiner., 1936-02-21
CHAPTER VII-Continued
Il L

tdCIlluS lOO muCl lLlpOl IduSc W uC-
tails. We, as executors, have no
duty to perform except the transfer
of Corey Malden's fortune to Mrs.
Maiden. with the definite exceptions
of such bequests as are quite plain
ly stated in the will. Garth, to be
sure, is COrey's lawyer, but as
close friend | feel that l know all
about the matter and can help you
see it through as well as Garth can,
subject, Of course, to his sanction
and approval"
Carleton stared at the speaker.
PERSONALLY" he said II admit l
prefer to meet with and be advised
by the lawyer who drew up the
will, and who is also an executor"
"As you choose" and Tony
shrugged his shoulders. Il feel it
was unwise for Garth to go off on
that long trip just at this juno
ture-"
''He didn't know this was going
to be a juncture," said Lowell, in
his mild way. "Of course, we want
him here at our meetings, but we
can do much without him."
"Well," began Tony, his voice
trifle harsh, 1--WE can at least find
out where we stand regarding that
Richmond lawyer-Farman, isn't
it? I'm told he has something on
his mind regarding the death of
Corey Maiden"
There was no response to this,
and Stone took up the conversation.
THAT sort of thing is in my line, l
think" he said. 81 am engaged, Mr..
Carleton, to discover, if l can, the
exact cause of Mr. Malden's death.
i am told that Mr.. Farman has
suspiciOns-I think that is not too
strong a wOrd-that Corey Maiden
was murdered If this is true-true,
| mean, that Mr.. Farman suspects
that-then he should tell US so
plainly. If he has no suspicious
of the sort. then he should inform
us to that effect. When does Mr..
Farman propose to come up here?"
THAT | don't know. l am not
his confidant, Mr.. Stone"
mo, but you might know that.
Does he not propose to come while
you are here?"
I've not the slightest idea.
came today because / CHANGED to
have other business in New York,
and that made it convenient"
Il see." Stone looked at him
quizzically. perhaps, hereafter,
Mr.. Carleton, you would be wiser
to consider the Maiden estate of
greater consequence than you seem
to now. Then you think Mr.. Far
man is of the opinion that Maiden
was murdered, and he has a strong
suspicion of the murderer's iden-
tity?"
Carleton stared. 81 didn't say
anything of the sort, Mr.. Stone"
You thought it, however. Do you
deny that?"
How can 1 tell what Mr.. Far
man thinks? He can think what
he chooses"
"Of course. Now, what do you
think?"
81 can see no reason for mur-
der, no method that could have been
employed, and no means that could
have been used"
"And yet you still believe MUIR
der was done"
Carleton looked uncertain and a
little embarrassed. "If 1 do" he
said, IFS only because Corey NAL
den was such a healthy specimen
that / can't conceive of his drop
ping dead from heart failure or
from any other weakness"
"All right, then," and Stone nod
ded his head. 81 rather agree with
you, think. But | don't want You
to think it was the work of an
Innocent woman"
"What else is there to think?"
and Carleton looked sulky. ''If there
was no one else there to kill him,
why wasn't it his wife?"
What is your business, Mr..
Carleton?' Stone said sternly.
Pm a lawyer"
"Then you must know you haven't
a case against the lady. Now, why
do you want one? Why do Won
hope to find One?"
II don't" Carleton blurted ont
looking with trace of fear at
Tony Gaskelrs lowering face.
Now, gentlemen" said John
Lowell, in his placating way. "all
this will get us nowhere. To sus-
pect my daughter of murder is too
absurd. am not afraid of such
suspicious, but 1 am afraid that
the man who could imagine such
a thing as that could bring harm of
other sorts to her. She is not un-
protected, I'd have you know. and
any dishonOr cast upon her name
will be duly dealt with"
Il am interested to know Mr.,
CarletOn's or Mr.. Farman's theories
an to murder" Stone said Suavelv