Evening star., 1941-10-14

OuC Qark Circles TlnSeQ ncr eyes
and her face was impassive and
masklike. She held her long. slen-
der hands at her side, but one hand
clenched and unclenched, and nm
ally the other stole to the pocket
of her gray dress as she stood before
Franklin.
Mrs. Fowler" Franklin began in
friendly tone, you perhaps can
help us a good deal" He looked at
the housekeeper, but no expression
changed the splendid immobility Of
her features. The detective cleared
his throat and waited.
"Yes?" Marian Fowler at last al
lowed herself to say.
"You were up and' around last
night?"
Il was up until midnight. Then
I went to bed
did Mr.. Harrington have any
callers?"
Marian Fowler brought her eyes
to bear on Franklin's pale face. Not
to my knowledge" she said at
length.
you seem to hesitate.
II do not answer the bell. But
I did not hear it ring"
"Mr. Harrington came home to
dinner?"
II have told you. After dinner"
Information Hard to Get.
Tom uncrossed his legs. Frank
lin was having hard time of it.
The big man was slow with his
questions. and his voice never lost
its smooth courtesy, but Tom could
tell that he was baff1ed as to how
to get this uncommunicative woman
to talk freely. That she knew more
than she was telling, he was sure.
Did you talk to him them"
Again she took long time to
answer. Franklin repeated his
question gently.
Il am trying to recall. Yes.
think I asked him what to do with
messages for Mrs. Harrington"
And what did he say?"
ITO hold them"
Nothing more?"
Nothing more"
Mrs. Fowler, at what time did
Hilary have his nightmare"
Mrs. Fowler caught her breath
ever so slightly and then, clenching
her right hand again, let her breath
out slowly.
Let me see," she said. TT must
have been about l o'clock I had
been asleep for q while. His scream
wakened me-"
And what did you do?"
She turned surprised eyes on
Franklin. Why, got up and went
in to him, of course. He was
afraid"
did you take time to dress first?'
Certainly not. I can see you
have never had any children, Mr..
Franklin"
Have you?"
Eyes, a daughter"
ITO return. You threw some
thing around you and went in to
him?"
IF you must know" she returned
with asperity. Il put on the same
red robe I put on later when
heard Felicity scream. Then !
went in, turned on the light ano
quieted him"
But there were no pockets in
your robe, Mrs. Fowler"
Admits Giving Tablets.
Again some inner awareness
lighted the eyes of the housekeeper
"Whatever do you mean?"
Hilary says you had some sweet
pills in your pocket and gave him
one"
Hilary is mistaken" she said
fatty. And 1t Is pretty poor
man who will pump children, Mr.
Franklin"
Franklin inclined his head. 81
agree with you, Mrs. Fowler, but ir
my position, I must be grateful fol
what sources Of information I car
have access to-"
That ought to hold her, thought
Tom, and perhaps Mrs. Fowler did
too, for her tone was softer wher
she said next, You are right. Mr.
Franklin, and I was wrong. What
else do you wish to know"
When did Jane 60 to bed?"
She smiled at that. Really,
don't know. She went to her room
soon after dinner and I didn't SET
her again"
Did you see Mrs. Blackjack her.
last night?"
Mrs. Backrack!" That, at least
was news to her. mol"
Have you any idea how she go
in? Did she have a key?"