The Coolidge examiner., 1936-03-13
CHAPTER IX-Continued

They did, and though a trifle
crowded it was pleasanter than to
go to the club car to play. After
three rubbers Perilla said, Il wish
we had arranged to return by plane.
/ want to get home and see how
things are. When will you be over
to New York, Roger?"
"As soon as you want or need
me, dear l have to attend to some
few quick action matters, and then
I'll come along"
Stone watched the speaker from
the corner of his eye. Not so much
the words as the tone in which they
were uttered surprised him. He
hadn't heard Garth speak to Perilla
before with quite that note Of af-
fection.
Could he be a murderer? That
fine-looking man, with the calm,
serene countenance-no, it was too
ridiculous.
Garth did not look like the type
of man whose deep emotions are
concealed but ready to break out on
occasion. Suppose he had been so
desperately in love with Perilla that
he killed Corey to get her, and then
fearing a rival in Bob, he killed
him, too.
But it was unthinkable.
Stone had said he knew the GRIM
inal, but he couldn't be sure. How
could one be sure when there was
nothing to be sure Of? And yet, he
had watched Garth closely all
through this trip, and he felt there
was something wrong about him.
Something secret and sinister. But
so vague and elusive it could not be
put into words.
Nor had he been able to get an
opportunity for a long talk alone
with the other. Several times he had
tried and failed. He had wanted to
sound him about his views on the
Washington situation and as to his
views on crime generally, but
Garth, without seeming to evade the
detective, prevented any such occa-
sions.
AS the train drew into the station
n. New York, Perilla felt a deeper
premonition of impending trouble.
She had schooled herself to the
presence of Madame Maiden in her
home. for Corey's mother must al
ways receive her best attention. but
1t seemed to her tortured mind that
the presence there of Farman, the
lawyer, was more than she could
bear up under. And why should he
be entertained there, anyway? Let
him 60 to some hotel
She was reused from her thoughts
by the voice of Tony Gaskeil. who
piloted her out to his waiting car.
Malcolm was there, too. already
welcoming Jane.
Fleming Stone and Garth said
good-by for the present and went
their ways, as the quartet started
toward Perilla's home.
"Take me right home, NAL" she
asked, but Tony, you take Jane
around to see mother; she'll be
hungry for news"
I'm certainly going with yOu,"
said Malcolm. II want to protect
you from the old 'un."
"Yes, send Tony along with me-"
said Jane, laughing. "You don't
want too many breaking in on the
dOwager duchess"
When Perilla entered her apart
ment the sour-faced creature en-
sconced on a "love-seat" favored her
daughter-in-law with 'baleful
glance and seemed to shrink from
her as the girl came forward. But
Perilla bravely put forth a welcom-
ing hand, which the old lady ig-
nored.
WELL" she said, biting off her
words, $50 you're up to your tricks
again. l suppose you killed off that
poor young man, for reasons of your
own, just as you killed my son."
Perilla drew herself up with a
new dignity.
Madame Maiden" she said, "you
shall not remain under my roof and
talk to me like that. l am in nv
own home now, not yours, and |
forbid any remarks or hints sug-
gesting that l would harm the man
L loved. One more such speech, and
shall have you removed, forcibly,
If necessary"
"Hoity tOity," almost screamed
the dame.s "Who are you to dictate
what l shall say or leave unsaid?"
81 am the woman your son loved
enough to make his wife, and as his
widow l shall protect his memory.
even from his own mother"
"Fine talk! said the old lady.
"very fine talk, but you must know
there's another side to that story.
Where's Farman! Farman, where
are yOu?"
The lawyer, who must have been
within hearing distance, came into
the room, sheepishly. Like all bull
lies, Farman was a coward, and
he began to be afraid of this new
Perilla. Still wearing her hat and
furs, she stood facing Madame Nal