The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1937-11-13
cosyisSt 1897, NeA Service, lne

should liz" 10 tllk WIN your
sister," Inspector Waldrop said,
/ Routine. But necessary, You
understand. "
Miss Dexter, please awaken my
sister," jack spoke briefly.
lie became aware that Miss
pCNtcr'S usually cXpreSSionlcSs
couutcuancc was working with
emotion. and thas her eyes were
fixed on his strangely. He seem
cd to read in her queer gaze
suugg., 20 communicate some
thine.
When she made no moved to
leave. lack began again: Miss
Dexter" And then rs something
clicked in his braiG, wait. I'll 20
for Jill. believe it would be best
for me 10 break il to her.
DO YOU mean the Girl doesn't
l.uow her own father lnSpec-
.or Waldrop stopped in sheer as
tonishmcnt.
I've thought IL was kinder to
wait" Jack answered Stcrnly. rs
re walked away, Mis-, Dexter got
To her feet and battered after
rim.
.acN whirlrd. Then YOU were
trying to tell ne Somcthin %
"Oh yes, Mr.. Jack. You see,
Miss Jill isn't IN her room.
You're sure.
Yes. Everything is in 4 whml.
Shes gone
she can't be-"
she, c.uy up IN hour OF SO
after evcryunr had left. Every
one Of course except Mr. Mon
tame. | heard his car when 1t
came around ths drive. \ long
while after ,..at | heard Miss Jill
opcn her door. Then everything
was very still. | couldn't be
sure.
What time DO you think it was
when she left"
Close 70 daybreak.'
Close to daybreak. The words
formed in Jacks brain DULY.
He went back 20 the runro0m.
The secretary has just inform
ed me that my sister went out
early. Probably to some break
fast or other -.
He realized his words were fall
ing strangely. uncertainty Tie
saw amazemcnt in his mothers
eyes, a queer CLINT in Barry'S and
stark unbclicf in Inspector Wal
drops.
"Sce here. young man" the In
Spector'S voice grated. you're
not hiding out your SiStcr-tor
some reason.
Hiding, | don't know what
YOU mean. And I'd thank YOU TO
be careful in speaking of my sis
ter"
mo harm meant. But see here
this is ugly business. No time
20 mince words. Wen be conf
PEELED to talk with your sister"
Shell return presently" Jack
replied in a hollow tone.
Jill absent. what could it
mean? Why had she gone? Why
of all mornings in the world
should Jill have left the house
when any unusual act would be
REGARDED with suspicion. And this
was not merely unusual. Il was
something so bewildering that
even he-JilrS brother - could
find no explanation for it. Though
of courSe-thcrc was one.
He felt Inspector Waldrop'S
eyes on him. where's the tcle-
phone" the Inspector asked
abruptly.
Jack silently led the way from
the room. His heart was sick
within him as he passed the door
of his fathers study and saw the
group of men standing in sober
circle. talkin ing low tones.
His father. VINO had been so
alive. so vital and dominant but
Yesterday, now was dead. And the
hou S"hold was pervaded with an
atmosphere of dreadful suspicion.
As he passed the door one Of
the men spoke, raising his voice 4
/ little: 1T was an inside job.
There's not a doubt that someone
who knew him we'll"
Inspector Waldrop said gravely:
II might as well be honest with
YOU, Mr. Wentworth. | tried to
! spare yolu. mother the shock.
We're certain this is an inside
| job Take that marble paper
weight we found, by mere acct
dent. showed in between some
magazines"
IL think you're all crazy" Jack
muttercd hOarSely. What do you
make out of that"
"Thc man who cleans your
fathers study is positive that
il was there yesterday morning,
holding down some papers, In
spcctor Waldrop replied slowly.
Jack did not reply.
II understand the servants come
on about $50. Is that correct"
Generally. Sometimes later,
after party that had kept them
all here very late
Il see. We've questioned the
head Gardener, who apparently, Is
] deaf. dumb and blind TO every
thing. But the second gardener,
Willis. and his wife gave some in
| formation. They were both awake
at six o'clock-the time Miss DeX-
| ter and Mrs. Wentworth heard
the sound Of fall. and also the
time Mr.. Wcntworth'S watch stop
ped. 1t was broken by the fall.
Willis and his wife say the two
German police dogs wouldn't have
allowed a stranger TO enter the
grounds without an Internal
rackcc. Is that right?"