The Coolidge examiner., 1936-02-14
CHAPTER VI-Continued

certainty VIII De Sldu " w SO' buI
If they see fit to carry on, then we
must be prepared to meet them on
their own ground"
"What is their own ground"
"That you are implicated in the
death of Corey Maiden"
'Yes, but what can they prove?
Just nothing at ALL" Perilla de-
clared.
"They hold they can prove oppor-
tunity and motive" was Stones
reply. "That is perilously near the
full requirements of a case. Don't
think l am trying to frighten you,
but before you go. away | want you
to know the danger you are in."
I'D be in just as much danger if
i stayed at homer"
"Yes, l think so. That's why l
approve of your going. 1t will do
you good in lots of ways. You'll
have a wonderful trip"
YES; the Dunstans are taking
us to their wonderful Santa Bar
bara home for a week, and I want
a few days in San Francisco"
"Who are your guests?'
"Alice and Jack Dunstan, Hilda
Sheldon, Jane, of course; and the
men are Bob and Malcolm, Mr..
Dunstan and Mr.. Garth"
"A good lot. And the third carr"
"Alice's maid and my Sarah. Ex-
ira luggage, the chauffeur's bags
and odds and ends, you know.
Well be comfortable, 1 think. Will
Bob be on duty? At his work,
mean"
81 hope so. He can pick up lot,
I'm sure. But he's discreet and
will give nothing away"
"What | am afraid of is the
Richmond lot. Yet, surely, Mr..
Stone, that incapable, inefficient Mr..
Farman couldn't buck up against
you and my three executors, could
he?"
Your three executors are also In
the same relation to Madame Nal
den."
"And what of that"
"They have to do what she asks
of them-to certain extent. Sup
pose she wants you-but let's talk
of pleasanter things. Now, lay your
plans so I'll know exactly where
to reach you at any moment. Garth
will attend to such things, but keep
him advised if you make any
change of plan"
''It won't matter, his being away
so long, will it?"
"Oh, no. It's a matter of time
to settle an estate, and the Maiden
business will last for a long while.
Garth will be back by the time he
is needed"
"And Tony and Mr.. Carleton Can
carry on while he is gone"
''Yes, if they will. Those two
men are not heavy workers. Garth
has done twice as much as either
of them already. You like Mr..
Carleton?"
''Oh, yes, but saw him only once
that day In Washington"
"Your husband always spoke
highly of him?"
"Yes, but Corey did that of all
his friends"
Il can't help feeling that Farman
is quiet only temporarily. What he
plans I've no idea, but it's probably
something underhanded. However,
you're not to let all this worry you.
If l feared danger or any real trou-
BILE l should advise against your go
ing. So put it all from your mind
and have delightful trip. Perhaps
when you return l shall have mat
ters all cleared up."
"Tell me, Mr.. Stone you've
looked about q bit now-do you
think Corey was-was murdered?"
"Yes, Mrs. Maiden, 1 do"
"But how could it have been ac-
complished?"
'At this moment l have no more
idea than you have. 1t is probable
that shall learn soon. And want
to say this to you; it may neces-
state an autopsy"
"Ohp ~ Perilla looked shocked.
Then she said, 'It is all in your
hands, Mr.. Stone. Discuss any such
matter with my parents and then
follow your own judgment"
THANK you, Mrs. Maiden, for
your readiness to trust matters to
me. l admit this is a seemingly
impossible case, but l also want to
tell you that 1 feel sure light will
break on US soon."
"YOu have more information ~
Perillas eager eyes flashed into his.
mo; sorry, but I haven't. I'm
hoping Bob will bring some. Think
once more" Stone said. "YOu are
sure Mr.. Maiden didn't eat or drink
anything questionable that day."
He didn't eat anything at the
tea place. We had a delicious din
her. Unless his portions were doc
tOred' he could not have been
harmed. AS tc drinking, all pres