Evening Star Newspaper, June 13, 1923, Page 24

THE MYSTERY GIRL. A Thrilling Detective Story BY CAROLYN WELLS. (Copyright. by J. Gt SYNOPSIS OF PREVIOUS INSTALLMENTS. Jobn Waring' newlr elected to the presi. geres of Corinth College. & veserable ‘New England seat of learning, i found stabbed 0 death in his study. Ax he s at the pin- nacle of his career and about to marry Emily Bates, a charming and cultnred widow, no motive for suicide appears enemies. There was no trace of a_weapon, Bor was there any way in which a murderef conld have left the locked room The next morning Nogi. the Japanese butler, s missing. as are a valuable ruby stickpin, worn by the and $500. known o have been in Gordon Lockwood, Dr. recretary, - {usists firmis, even susp . wpon the suicide theors. Unknown to the detectives. he had secured & crumpled hit of paper from the waste-basket in the dead mau's study befors the room had been scarched. It is a half- fuixlied love letter to Anita. Anita_Austin. “The Mysters Girl." hus been dubbed by the inmates of Mrs Adams’ Moarding house (because of her ailenc concerning herself and her business in | Corinth). fs drawn inte the (ragedy when Miss Rascom. s prying old mald, identifies her as the fur-conted fizure which had been seen erosaing the fields in the direction of Dr. Waring's house on the night of hix death. Bmall fostprints in snow leading to and from his study dow contirm her | suspicions. The spinster also searches Anita's room and trinmphantly produces from among Ber possessions @ roll of hil'm and the ruby stickpin. On_questioning Anita, Cra: cuting attorner. Suds his sympathies stinctively enlisted in her favor. = Miss Bas- com. however, evidence of fguilt found the weapon with which the murder was com- witted. The Marks on the Plush Chalr “You needn’t faint, Migs Austin—or pretend to,” admonished Miss Bascom brutally; “you're caught red-handed, and you know it, and you may as well give up.” didn’t—I didn't—" came in low moans, but the girl's bravery had de- serted her. Limp and despairing, she turned her great eyes toward Cray for help With an effort he looked away from her pleading face, and said: “What is the weapon? Where did you find it?” “It is a stiletto—an embroidery sti- dead man. his_private letto—and T found it tucked down fn the crevice between the back and seat of a stuffed chair in Miss Aus- s room. Did you put it there?” he turned on the girl and fired the stion at her with intentional sud- ugh Anita uttered a it was a palpable un- did.” Miss Bascom went on. <oe for vourself, Mr. Cray, she is lying.” “But even if she is, Miss Bascom, I must ask you to cease torturing her! I can't stand for such cruelty manhood revolted at the methods of the older woman who was causing euch anguish to the poor child she accused. “You are not a legal inquisitor, Miss Bascom,” he went on; “it is for me 1o establish the truth or falsity of your suspicions.” “Yes, you! men: You're like all the other If a girl is pretty and alluring You would believe her statement that | white is black!" “I believe po statements that can- be proved to my satistaction. do you own an em- iletto?" was the hesitating answer, | and the dark eyes swept him a_be- | m seeching glance that made Miss Bas- com fairly snort with scorn. “Where is 1t?" —I fear I must admit that it is Just where Miss Bascom says it is— unless she has removed it. Tell me, Mr. Cray,” and Miss Mystery suddenly resumed her most independent air, “must T submit to this?* 1 thought ac- cused people were entitled to a—oh, You know, counsel—a lawyer. o somebody fo take care of them. “Wait, Miss Austin. You're not ac- cused yet—that is, not by legal au- thorit “Oh, ‘am I not> Then—" and she &gave Miss Bascom a glance of un- utterable scorn, “I have nothing to| sa “Nothing to say!" most shieked. course she hagn’ takes his valuables g y! Ot She kills & man, | . and then declares she has nothing to say.” “Now. now, Miss Bascom, be care- ful! Why did you put vour stiletto in such a place, Miss Austin?” oI don’t kn he dark eyes gave him a gaze of childlike innocence, and Cray couldn't decide whether he was looking at a | deep-dyed criminal or a helpless vic- tim of unjust suspicion. “And where rou get and the ruby pin? K Semmoney T don’t know—I mean I don’t know | how they zot in my room. Thic fady | says she found them there—that's ail T know about them.” An indifferent shrug of the slim shoulders seemed to imply that was all Mis« Mystery cared, either, and Cray sked: “Then, 1f the valuabies—the pin and the money—are not vours, youare, of rourse. ready to relinquish of them. ” Bovesenlon “Of coursa T am not! Since accused of stealing them, I propase Tetain possession until that accusac ;l:n lf:nprnvsed or disproved! Per- ps Miss ascom wished them herself. AN “You know, Miss Austin,” Mr, Cra spoke very gravely, ‘wou are making & mistake in treating this matter filpe pantly. You are in danger—real dan- ger—and you must be careful wha you sa. Do you want a lawyer?" I don’'t know,” the girl suddeniy looked helpless. “Do you think I ought to have one Have you fund Yes. 1 not a rich girl—| peither am 1 poor. However T think =h ask advice of some Id ‘fil!e 'I'JDOIL any course,” S whom? Perhaps no adyise you better than I cans = " What is your advice, Mr. Cray?" The sweet face looked at him hope- ol ;Y;e l(hur\'(»l" r:(l 1ips quivered a e speaker a i very alone foeeT TN Again Miss Bascom sniffed, tractive herself, she resented -'{:"h“n‘. Bort of angry jealousy the appealing effeci this girl had on men. She :(\nrlv"w !‘,r;lulllv’ly that Cray would Sympathize with and pity the lonely “My advice is, Miss Austin that “you dlspel’ this. mystery Tt Seems’ to surround you. Tell frankly | Who you are, what is your errand in | Corinth, how JYou came into posges- bvil)n of Lr. Waring's ruby, and why You hid vour stilletto, if it is merely ong of ypur sewing implements. Miss Mystery hesitate, ond then sald, quiet] e omenl “Your advice is good, Mr. C: But, unfortunately, 1 cantot follam iy However, T am wiiling to state. upon oath, that T did not kill with' that stiletto.” prijwaiing douh A, afraid oubted,” Miss Bascom inte sharply. “And, too, Mr. Cray " emeq if this girl did not strike the fatal Dlow. she well knows who did! She 8 in league with the Japanese, That I am sure of!” Feeeir “Nogi!" exclaimed Anita. Yes, Nogi,” Miss Bascom went on, positively. “You came here only a day .or two after he did. You have a Japanese kimono and several Jap- anese ornaments adorn your room. You went to the Waring house that night, Nogi let you in and out, and though the Japanese doubtless com- your oath will be He had no kiown | . prose- | in- | fronts them both with more | in_Anita's room— | | room window to_see if Mr. Lockwood 1 3. Lippincott Co.) nitely, but I am sure it was an ex- mple of Japanese juggléry. When u remember thée tales of how the Japanese can do seemingly impos- aible tricks, can swallow swords and get out of locked handcufts, it fs quite within the realm of possibility that one could lock a door behind him, and give it the appearance of hav- ing been locked from the inside. Now, Cray had already concluded | that the door had been cleverly locked by some one, but he hadn't before thought of the cleverness of the Japanese. He rose almost abruptly, and said. “I must look into seme of these mat- | ters, Miss Austin; you need not at- ! tempt to leave town, for you will not' be able to do so.” “I most certainly shall not attempt | to leave—as you express it—if I am ' asked not to. But, 1 may say that! when I am entirely at liberty to do | fo ] propose to go away from Cor- nth.” Her dignity gave no effect of a per- | son afraid or alarmed for her own! safety, v a courteous recogni-| ition of Cray's attitude and a frank| statement of her own intentions. Miss Bascom sniffed and sald: “Don’t worry, Mr. Cray. I'll see !ai {1t that this young woman does not succeed In evadirfg justice if she tries to do s0." At which Miss Mysters gave her a smile that was so patronizing, even amused, that the spinster was more irate than ever. “And, now, Miss Austin,” the attor- ney sald, “T'll take your finger prints, please, as they may be useful in prov- ing_what you did not do.” He smiled a little as the girl readily enough gave her consent to the pro- cedure. “And," he went on, more gravel. will ask you for oné of your shoes— one that you wore on Sunday.’ Surprised into a glance of disma: Miss Mystery rose without a word and went upstairs for the shoe. She returned with the dainty. protty |thing, and merely observed, “I'd like to have it back, when you are througn with it.” Putting the shoe in his overcoat pocket, Cray went away. “Miss Bascom,” Anita sald, turning to her enemy, mAy you mever want & triend as much as 1 do now.” “The nerve of her!" Liza Bascom muttered to herself, as Miss Mystery went_upstairs to her own room. 4 “There's a _very deep mystery here " Waring house. “But I'm getting light on ft.” % Cray was far from lacking in in- genulty, and he proceeded at once to Compare the finger prints he had of small black-framed chair that had becn ‘Waring. They were identical and Cray mused over the fact. “That girl was here that night decided ; “there’s no gainsaying that” He called the butler to him. p “Ito,” he began, “did you let in any home?" “No, #ir,” the imperturable Jap de- all the inquirers knew the details of his | Sunday movements. “Do you remember seeing this chair Monday morning?" “Distinctly. 1 saw Mr. Lockwood smoothing its back.” ‘Smoothing its back! What do. you n “I looked through from the dining was coming to breakfast, and I per- celved him carefully smoothing the plush of the little chair, sir.” Cray meditated. Here was a point of evidence. Lockwood was mot the sort to absent-mindedly paw over a chair back. He was doing it on pur- pose. For what reason? What reason | could be, save to erase some evidence? Cray examined the chair. It had trame of shiny black -wood, while seat and back were covered with a dark plush of a fine, soft quality. Cray drew his fingers acrose the back. They left a distinct trail of furrows in the fabric. Ito, watching, nodded his 3 ely. ot finger prints,” Cray sald to! himself—"but, maybe, finger marks. | ‘Whose' i ““You surely w this, Ito?" i “Yes, sir: and Miss Peyton also saw. | She was then in the doorway, asking Mr. Lockwood to come to breakfast.” Cray went in search of Helen and | put the question to her suddenly. | “What was Gordon Lockwood doing | when you went to call him to break- | fast Monday morning?” “He was—I don’t remember.” “Speak the truth—or it may mean trouble for you and him, too.” “He was- e seemed to be dusting off a chair. “With a duster?” “No: just passing over it with his hand. “That isn't dusting it.” «Well, T don't know what you call it! Perhaps he was merely pushing the chair into place. “It isn't his§ custom to push the study furniture into place. He was erasing indicative marks on thnt! plush chairback—that's what he was | doing.” | “Absurd! Helen cried, “what | marks could there be?’ 1 don’t know. Come and let us | see. Cray took Helen to the study and | asked her to Sit in the chair. “fean back” he directed. ‘“Now, | get up.” The girl obeyed and there wxwl plainly seen on the plush the faint ! but unmistakable Imprint of the | beaded design that adorned the back | of the frock she wore. i “I told you so!” Cray sald, in triumph. “That plush registers every | impress, and when Lockwood rubbed | it smooth it was to erase a damag- ing_bit of testimony. | ““Rather far-fetched, Mr. Cray."” said Gordon Lockwood himself, who‘ had come in and had heard and seen head H. L. Oftutt, Jr. Cashier mitted the murder, you stole the money and the ruby, and then your partner in crime departed for parts unknown.’ Miss Hascom sat back in her chair ‘with a look of triumph on her plain, g2unt face. 2 Clearly, she was rejolced at her denunciation of the girl before her, and pleased at the irrefutable theory she had promulgated. “And how did Miss Austin or the Jap, either, leave the room locked on the inside?” propounded Cray, his own opinions already swayed by the ;. arralgnment. “That," said Miss Bascom, with an 5 air of finality, “I can't explain’defi- W. P, Lipscomb C. J. Gockeler N. L. Sansbury Vice Presidents fl Ll E fll Cray soliloquized, as he returned to the || Anita Austin with the prints on the || found drawn up to the desk of John || one late Sunday night—alter you came || clared, thinking the question foolish, as || THE EVENING STA the latter part of the detective's in- ry, Mr. Lockwood, when you learn the fingerprints on the chair fram: re your own and tho: of & certain young person who already under suspicion.” Gordon Lockwaod, as always under a sudden stress, became even more glittered as '3 2 be too absurd,” Mr. Cray, he “advised, coldly. “I suppose you mean Miss Austin—I prefer to have no velled allusions. But the finding of her fingerprints on a chair in this room, and mine also, does not seem to me to be in any way evidence of crime.” “No? scorn. plain’ Mi that night.’ “I don’t know that she was here- and I most certainly could not ex- plain any of her movements. But I do deny your right to assume her gullty from her presence.” “Ah, you tacitly admit her pres- ence, then. Indeed, one can scarecly doubt it, when it Is shown that this little shoe of hers.” he took it from his pocket, “exactly fits the prints that cross ‘the field of snow between here and the Adams house. “To measure footprints—atter all this time!” and Lockwood's lip Cray gave him scorn for ‘erhaps, then, you can_ ex- Austin’s presence here {curled, “The prints are exactly as they were made, Mr. Lockwood. The un- changing cold weather has kept them intact. I tried this shoe and the prints are unmistakable. Moreover, the short stride is just the measure of the natural steps of Miss Austin. The footprints lead from the Adams house over here and back again. The returning prints occasionally overlap the ones that came this way, show- ing that the trip away from this house made latest.” Miss Aus- tin was seen to come over inthis direction—well, none but a half-wit would be blind to the inevitable con- clusions!™ “None but a half-wit would read into this evidence what vou pretend to see” retorted Lockwood, almost losing his calm. “That’s my business.,” Cray sald, sharply; “now. Mr. Lockwood, why did you smooth off that chair back? , now, two witnesses saw you 'm not_denying it"—Lockwood smiled in a bored, superior wa: if I did it, I was—and am—uncon- scious of it. One often touches a piece of furniture in passing with no thought of doing so.” “That won't go down. Both the butler and Miss Peyton saw you defi- nitely and deliberately rub over the back of that chair. Why did you do t?” Cray was inexorable. But the impassive secretary merely shrugged his shoulders, “I can't answer you, Mr. Cray. 1 can oniy repeat it must have been an unconscious act on my part, and it < l 'WASHINGTO! has no sinister significance. I may have been merely pushing the chair out of my way, you know.” “Look here, Mr. Lockwood, you are a man of honor. Do you, upon oath, declare that you did not purposely smooth that chairback, for the reason that it showed some incriminating im- pr am not under oath. I have stated that I did not do what you accuse me of, and I have nothing further to say on the subject.” ckwood drew himself up and leaned with folded arms against thé mantelplece. Cray dropped the subjec snapping eyes and compr: seemed to show he had not finally dis missed it. t what_tim “did ' Dr. Waring door?* “About 10 o'clock,” replied. he said, abruptly, lock his study| the secretary “And you heard nothing from the room after that? No sound of voices Nobody coming in at the French win- ow 7" “No,” replied Lockwood. “Then we are forced to the conclu- sion that whoever éntered did so very quietly, that it was with the knowl. edge and permission of Dr. Waring himself, that the visitor was the per- son whose footprints lead straight to the door and whose fingerprints are on the chair that stood T the doc- tor's own chair. We are borne out in this view by the fact that the same person now possesses the money and the ruby pin which we know Dr. Waring had in his room with him, and we know that the person is here in Corinth for unexpluined reasons, and is, in fact, so pecullar that she is known as—Miss Mysatery, Just why, Mr. Lockwood, are you arguing against these obvious inferences, and why do you undeértake to free from suspicion one agginst whom every- thing is so definitely black?" “Because.” Lockwood spoke very quietly, but his jaw was set in a stubborn way, “the lady you call M Mystery is a young and defensel girl, without, so far 1 know, friend In this town. It is unfair to accuse her on the strength of this fantastic story and It s unfalr to condemn her unheard.” “Not unheard,” sald the attorney, “but what she says only incriminates her more deeply.” Continued Tomorrow, LEAVES $51,462 ESTATE. William G. Erving, who died at Gravenhurst, Can., May 10, left an estate valued at $51.46: it con- sisted chiefly of stocks and bond according to the petition of his wife, Emma L. Erving, for the probate of | his will. —_— Paper umbrellas that are collapsi- ble to small size have been Invented LIGHT ON EVERY SUBJECT Now in Our New Store, 709 13th, One Door Above G —_— T T o, TN oor AADove G Summer Baths Gas A Gas Heater of the right type will insure plenty of hot Ranges & Water Heaters water for summer ablutions. { Muddiman Gas Heaters and Ranges are economical, satisfac- tory, right in price. facilitate your inspection of our stock. Glad to Electric Fans as low as $5 C. A.MUDDIMAN CO. Specialists in Heating & Lighting Equipment 709 13th St.—One Door Above G St. 7 FOR SALE BY AKRON AUTO SUPPLY 538 7th 8t. B.W. ' BOYD TIRE SHOP 650 Pa. Ave. S.E. SIXTH STREET TIRE SHOP 216 6th 8t. N.W. COLUMBIA AUTO SUPPLY 13th and H Sts. N.W. ENGLEBERG AUTO TOP CO. 1783 Fla. Ave. N.W. FRED M. HAAS 2008 R. I. Ave. N.E. HARPER MOTOR CO. 1128 Conn. Ave. N.W. KALORAMA GARAGE 1640 Kalorama Road. H. B. LEARY, Jr. 1321 14th St. N.W. LEETH BROS. 1227 New York Ave. N.W. NAT'L ELECTRICAL SUPPL 1508 Hew Yook dre W W O NORTHE CAPITOL TIRE T8 N Ceptior Br. 0O ONTARIO GARAGE 17th & Kalorama Bosd. ROSCHER & WALLA 1324 14th Btreet I.Wc.‘ TAXKO] \UTO SUPP O R. McREYNOLDS & SON, 1423 L 8t. N.W, UNITED TIRE STORES CO. 2601 Pa. Ave. N.W. JOHN A. WINEBERGER CO. 3700 Ga. Ave. N.W. W. H. WYMAN 924 H 8t. N.E, D. C, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13, 1923 NEW YORK RUM NOXIOUS. NEW YORK, June 13.—Ninety per cent of the liquor sold in New York city is redistilled alcohol which is “noxious, unwholesome and seml- poisonous,” Federal Prohibition Di- rector Palmer Canfleld declared to- day in a letter to Mayor Hylan, an- swering one sent him by the mayor on Saturday, in which Canfield w: urged to stop liquor from entering the city. Canfleld declared there was prac- tically no liquor being smuggled intv the state over the Canadian border and asserted that not more than 10 per cent of the liquor sold hers was smuggled in. The rest, he sald, was redistilled alcohol, colored and flavored. ——— 62 FORFEIT COLLATERAL. Fifty-six automobflists charged with violating the parking regul tions in the downtown congested di trict, mostly in the first precinct, dur- ing Shrine week, whose cases were called {wr the Traffic Court yesterday, forfeited the $2 collateral posted in cach case. There were six similar cases made by the traffic bureau, which also were forfeited. | KITCHIN’S SON DECLINES CHANCE FOR CONGRESS Party Executive Committee to De- cide on Way to Choose New Candidate. By the Associated Press ROCKY MOUNT, N. C., June 13 Luther Mills Kitchin, son of the late Claude Kitchin, last night declined nomination as the democratic candi- date for the unexpired term in Con- gress to which his father had been elected, and the democratic executive committee which tendered Mr. Kitch- in the nomination adjourned until Wednesday, June 20, when final ac- tion will be taken on the method by which the democratic candidate will be chosen. The committee has full power to act for the party under an official rullng made by Attorney General James S. Manning, but it is cnnsld-‘ ered probably that the question will | be submitted to the voters of the dis- trict in a primary to precede the spe- cial election which Gov. 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