Evening star., 1941-10-10

mo, here 1t IS on the montel,"
Tom said. This is a humidor.
Funny it's up here"
A tall, shaggy man appeared at
the doorway. How about letting us
do our stuff, boss?" He addressed
Franklin in a querulous voice that
somehow managed to sound affec-
tionate and tolerant.
Sure thing, Scrubby Oh, by the
way, this is Tom Barnes, whose busi-
ness is this business, too. Scrubby
WaShman, my assistant See the men
do good job on fingerprints, and
photograph every square inch in
here. Then we'll come in and rum
mage.
A Warning to Tom.
Tom Barnes followed Franklin out
Of the library. I'D like to know Just
what happened to Mrs Harrington"
he said in soft voice.
And Felicity Newgate shut up in
hurry, too. Wonder what she
knows"
Nothing definite, I'm sure"
Franklin had stopped in the hall,
little way from the doors and the
well of the stairway. He faced
Barnes, his eyes beneath his white
brows, quizzical and searching.
Look here, Barnes. 1t strikes
me you're on pretty friendly terms
with the girl. Just where do you
and I stand about her?"
'Meaning?" parried Tom, smiling.
his eyes as steady and searching as
the great detectives.
Meaning don't let your heart run
away with your head"
Tom flushed, but his eyes did not
waver.
You needn't worry about my allie
glance, Franklin. I'm on your side"
But if my side isn't Miss New
gateS?"
1T will be. you'll see"
will see is right" And Franklin
went toward the morning room.
Jane, Felicity and Mrs. Fowler
were not in the morning room, but
AmeS was, pulling more logs out of
the wood box.
"Ames, I'd like word with you"
"YeS, Capt. Franklin The old
man stood before the two detec-
tiveS, his tall frame erect, his arms
at his sides.
How long have you been with
Mr.. Tarrington?"
Six months, sir. I really work
for the Blacks, who own Runy-
mede."
"Oh, see. And the other serv-
ants?"
All but Mrs. Fowler were en-
gagged when Mr.. and Mrs. Tarring-
| ton took possession here last spring"
Nice place, would you say?"
Few Weeks Too Soon.
Ames hesitated. That's hard to
say, sir. The Blacks are fine en-
ployers, sir Mrs. Harrington was
pleasant to work for"
But you really didn't work for
Mrs. Harrington, did you?"
Again Ames hesitated. well. no,
sir, in a way, not. Mr. Harrington
kept tight hand on everything and
Mrs Fowler really ran the house"
Can you explain this affair,
Ames?"
mo, sir, can't. If you mean did
know Of any trouble, no, sir, not
really"
Who came last night, Ames?"
Just Mr.. StraSSon, sir, for Miss
Felicity. Then Mr.. Harrington came
home, but not for dinner. Miss Jane
came in with him.
That's all now, Ames." Franklin
dismissed the butler with nod and
turned to Tom. Lets go In for
some coffee
The two men went out into the
! hall, where Franklin called, "Srub-
by" Scrubby came. Get hold OF
Strasson, Scrubby; ask him to come
out here"
AS Scrubby disappeared into the
library without asking a word
Barnes remarked, Hes the man I
want TO talk TO-"
"Yes?"
But you know, I wish whoever
popped old Harrington off had
waited few weeks. We needed him
bit longer"
Franklin did not ask why and
| Barnes said no more as they went
| toward the dining room.
The three women sat around one
end Of the table. where they were
helping themselves to coffe and rolls.
Jane looked up brightly as the men
drew chairs up to the table, but
Felicity was shaken and pale. Only
Mrs. Fowler seemed to be indiffer-
ent to the tension.
| Franklin turned to Jane. How