The evening world. Newspaper, May 11, 1916, Page 19

The Evening World Daily Magazine. T A Mystery Story with a lly New Twist. (Cooyright. 1919, by Frank A, Munsey Company.) NOPSIS OF PRECE CHAPTERS, Soung lawyer, paased the Weth- at olabt in tim » wee Bertha who te dead. Bertha save Mra, Wetherall , Be But ae f pins ia found io Jim CHAPTER VIII. ‘ (Continued.) The Use of a Pocket- Piece. T'S unusually decent of him not to butt in,” said Rollins as they began to explore the little kitchen, “I wish I could believe that was his only motive,” answered Gor- don doubtfully, He had caught an ex. Pression on Quinn's face that remind- ¢d bim irresistibly of the look of the tiger when he returned from his ride with the lady. It did not take them long to searcn the little house thoroughly and the rickety sheds adjoining; but besides couple more of tow-headed children who fled screaming at their approach, and a considerable amount of dirt, they found nothing. “Merton must have gone straight from here to the house,” commented Rollins, “He probably intended to have it out with Mr. Wetherall, but sampled that flask of his too often on the way, and was so fuddled that ho only managed to crawi into the shel- ter of the bushes where you found bim.” “What puzzles me is that he should hang around like this after he com- mitted the crime. ‘There was at least eight hours in which to have made bis escape, and yet he did nothing but wander out in the dark to Ue place Where 1 found him, Somehow, MW dvesn’t sound sensible, “Lt isn't, and that is one of the surest prouts that he did it. Drink wad dope are a pretty deadly com- bination; one incites a man to crime, the other tempts him to forget it, A whit of cocaine would give Merton the strength of two men, and make him capable of committing any erime Wut afier its influence had passed he would need the drink tu keep him up, “All of these actions clearly show this—the alternate strength and des pair of the cocaine fend. It's this that has given me the hope of tinding him, but he has cunningly managed tv have his drink periods When no one Was uround, Just now he seems to have vanished into thin air.” “Do you think this man knows any- thing more than he has told us “Can't say. I'l keep a watch on him, Merton may come back here, Lut it’s evident that he isn't here now. That pocket-piece of yours served @ lucky turn.” “yd rather this had happened when Quinn was not along, 1 didn’: want Tim to get on to Merton, He's prob- ably pumped Peter dry about hin by this time, Let's vet back. I'm begi ning to think we weren't wise io leave him alone.” In fact, os they re-entered the room Quinn was just snapping his note- ook shut with a satisfied air, whieh made Gordon even more annoyed at his own lack of foresight. “Well, gentlemen, have you found Rim” rumbled the little deteetiv “No,” answered Rollins — shortly, Wrnon he turned to eter, “UL expect us know if this man r It will be a lot healt bar if you do, you to let turns any time. jer for your private Understand Mincus nodd d sulkily, and the three men went out as they had come in, together. Outside they parted, how- ever; Gordon and Rollins going yward the house, and Quinn return- 1 » remarked Dlinkingly, to ng. he remarked idly combat with a hotel midday dinner, His appetite was not too great, however, to prevent his stopping and sending @ | wire to the district Attorney, and the answer he received ua he sat chewing on a ather k made face beam more than that exercise warranted CHAPTER L Theories. two men ntfully rdon wishing that) he spoken of the Quinn him to Know of but what to himaelt, his walked on was dd not pocket before as he did not tramp’s existence plece want the Rol jing thought he kept They went first to the whieh fortunately the moment, The dr deug-st for out was leserted ist came r when he saw Him a slip of from behind the cou! Gordon md handed five grains of chlor tive of chloral, It's ut a powder of that ke it out a deriv trou Id bea p fectual soporific.” “te it a dangerous drag?" asked Rollins: The man shrugged his shoulders, ‘All oplates are more or less danger- ous; but tf only one powder was ‘aken it shouldn't affect a person haterially beyond # sight depression tiniess, of course, it Was an old person with a weak heart.” Gordon looked over at Rol but he Was regurding a case of safety jvore indifferently, Gordon paid the Iruggist. and they went out, Once tside he turned to Rollins 1 old person with wv weak heart! coming pretty cose home, a t you think?” es and it ay have some bear ng on the ease,” acqniesced Rollins, “How many powders ave there left in he box” leven; Eeounted the “Then she only took one they are dally put up in dozens. [t's quite thle that she may not have taken in retiring, but have waked up and, feeling wor Nay ken then, frightened by tia imimedia effect, have risen and stumbled to the stairs, where she fell.” "Yes, that's olutely plausible, bye! “Sxact., ba 4 very & and ‘of Got to sort out Possible situation, but It doesn’t ex- plain the hatpin.” “Confound it, we always there!" exclaimed Gordon. saw such a mess. “I've an id that will straighten {t out," observed Rolling “But I've few mon factr This powder business may fit in som: where; and it's just as well you found out about it, Here's the mail wagon Just in; we'd better stop and see if you've got anything from your man, Brinsley. “Good idea, [I should hear from him to-day, and I told him to send ali letters general delivery, so as to be sure of getting them. I’m none too confident they wouldn't be looked over at the house.” He was not disappointed, for a big envelope awaited bim. “This is probably a cop: jamin Wetherall'’s will, he rejoined Rollins. now for lunch at the house, and f want to go over this with you, any- way; so I'll stop in at your place and meta bite, Then we can discus at to do next.” “Good plan, agreed Rollins. “We've got to speed up some. I'v a hunch that Brother Quinn means to play soon as he gets an openini and we laid our cards pretty well ou' on the table this mornt “That was my fault,” sald Gordon ruefully, “I was so anxious to get information out of Peter that I forgot Quinn was there. What do you think he means to do?” “Hard = tellin, but it will take some quick dodging when it happen: Quinn {ts as clever as I've m and he's loaded for big game this tim Now let's have a look at the papers. They read the copy of the will to- gether, and both stopped at the same place with a mutual whistle. “So Mrs, Wetherall was left guard- fan of ber njece and her propert; with Mr. Wetherall only as adviser exclaimed Rollins. “That put an- other face on tt. He could hardly be accused of any designs on his nicce after that.” ‘No, unless: joker: In case of Mrs. decease before Rertha’s coming of age, Mr. Wetherall is to act both as guardian and trustee, That gave her no chance of escape from either of Ben- of their clutches, did it? Benjamin Wetberall must have been confiding to make a will like that There are only two solutions, | can see—either Mr. Wetherall killed his wife to get control of Bertha's property, or the old lady knew too much about some- thing and was made away with by the tramp and Martha, Exactly, Those are the only two working hypotheses we've got. Let's add up the evidence for and against them and see bow it comes out.” “Hold a minut said Gordon, who had been reading Brinsley's “Here's some on the back I over- looked, He says: “| looked up Mr. Godfrey Wet'- erall’s record as far as possiole in the limited time, Mr, Spencer, the lawyer who drew up the will, died three jnonths ago, and nix successor K&ew nothing of any Wetheralls, so 1 imagine they had put thelr affairs of some one else. E Wetherall) Is a man of good birth, a college graduate, and an author- ity on civil engineering. Has written a book on ‘Bridge Con- struction.’ Has No property or bonded interests that I can leas of, and Mrs. Wetherall apparently had none either, “Has not engaged in active business for the Jaat ten years, but is associated with a mining company which has been a long precariously for ing a 1 only found this out by pure 1c- cident T was lunching with O'Leary, and he introduced me to an Englishman named Townsend, who seemed to be a decent enough chap as farasTcoulé tell. I don't know how | happened to mention the name of Wetherall (most like- ly in answering O'Leary's query ny to where you were) and he said he knew a man of that name ant s iehtway deseribed your friend, “L pumped him directly and ie told me all he knew, Sald nis cousin invested 1 his money in a big mining scheme at Wether- all's advice, and he had gone tn tt with him. Wetherall was also fly Interested—or so he said. everal months ago the company had threatened to collapse for lack of funds, and Wetherall had stepped into the breach, produce! sum of money from some and started operations might be a connectioy ee your man's auddeo and his niece's property and if you know who are her liwvers or agents T mimht be able ty find ent more, The Englishman knew nothing else." "Good man, Brinsley Tt {f weld ont our fingers on a spot eh Rolling?” “Walt until E pnt it all down roust Iv in black and white.” returned that naividual He was busy with nenci! ind rener fora few minutes, and then V the result: ‘Reasons for suspecting Wetherall of wife's death "1, He had recently had a de mand made on him for money which he supplied from an un known source—most probably his niece's property—as he had none of his own listed anywhere, nor had his wife. "2. If Mra, Wetherall was not in league with him, she would very money looks as weals likely discover his theft, and could make it unpleasant for him especially as Miss Wethera would be of age in another month “3. With her removed, he would have perfect control of niece's property, Manner of murder. “Miss Wetherall was nervous and hysterical; we know that she walked in her sleep, and is sub (according to her uncle) to Hlucinations, Allowing for this i! is plausible that he had been able to obtain some hypnotic in- fluence over her; that he mur- Jered the aunt with the pin di- rectly after she retired, threw his niece later into a hypnotic state, during which he impressed upon her the ideas and story s afterward told, and leaving the body on the floor at foot of stairs went out and established an alibi Hoped to cast suspicion on Miss Wetherall because of con- y | 19) Here's the little | Wetherall's | ote Se els IT'S SUCH A REAUTIF EVENING 1H ay MUNCH WE WILL HAVE CALLERS « You'd BETTER PRIMPUP VA LITTLE JOHN — LAM GoING ‘To BED SURE ,GO ON 1AM EATING ONIONS, NOBODY WILL CALL IT'S SUCH ABAD EVENING CAN | SHoKE My PIPED ‘ Tou \ Mona) —- aici HUNCH WAS WRo! Lae Nogooy cane” hursday., May 11, 1916 By Maurice Ketten SMOKE CIGARETTES ~ | HATE To HAVE THE ROOMS ALL SCENTED UP WITH AN OLD PIPE WHEN CALLERS Cone 5 Joun, é THE SWAGGERS ARE CAL ka flicting story known dis- Bertha’s steel hatpin which she completely dominated, She is very later, | consider that we have a Agreement thei.” had lett there, and caught up highly strung and nervous, but strong case against Jim Merton, alias By Jove Gordon, u've with his victim half-way down neither weak nor negative, and she Thompson; strong enough to arrest ved the pu That explains — the stairs. would have to be both to be yo com- him anyway," everything. | always fclt he did it.” As you may have observed, — pletely hypnotized, { do I, and we've got you to the balusters of the stairs begin to round there. | have proved, by doing it| myself, that) any ow, listen to this, continued Rollins dryly, “and see if you are not equally convinced: she me “The absolute certainty with whieh thi sticks to her ‘ that itis true in part, nk for it, Rollins.” business," Rolli Rut thi story is a proof to an- T want to sw red briefly “Reasons for suspecting Jim Mer- crouching behind them would not talk with her, however, and find out portant thing wo haven't got yet." ton and Martha Jenkins (hus. be seen from beneath, if Wetherall ever actually put her "What's that? band and wife) of the murder of “As he struck the fatal blow, under his influence, She would first ny real evidence of these fact Mrs, Wetherall Bertha, seeing her aunt stagger, have to have submitted voluntarily to My bras Watherallhad: been (ns fling up her arms, and then fall, it several times before he could ob- CHAPTER X. turned faint herself for a few moments, giving Merton the op- portunity to run on down and slip ¢ tain a atrumental «in sending Merton away from his wife; probably did it by holding old theft over him pan: y control over her." "Il suggested that to her once,” said but she said he Quinn Plays! HIS was Indeed the unpleas out. Then Bertha came to, turne ted her in that way, It was evident that jhe had no on the lights. and ran screaming What. 1 know. ¢ 1 ant idea that confronted dred bleidawa Paey Hee attrib- to the dou lof which you were You that her character doesn’t lend it~ th All their carefully io hari and (W aly ang degradation a witness of from the outside self to the idea, She dislikes and dis- built un theory would be to her, and Increused the idea by “She ix not absolute in her te trusts him, f know; but I think tt is of littl w dling over it timony about her exact actions because she fears his will and un- le avail without more here was a scheme afoot, after the shock, #0 it was prob scrupulous purpose. I agree with Positive proof. The only real facts and Merton suspected Mrs, Weth- they ably five to ten minu| you in thinking that the second theory ad to go on were old Jerry's erall of being foremost in it she came ten before fy 'the better o seeing the red mp and M ea Hence his words as overheard by EVIDENCE, “Yes, although the other is very | ond Marthe nay old Jerry: ‘ll see her and make Jerry's overhearing them — Plausih tur Rollins, half 4 vening, and Merton's being a drug her stop it. whispering together at 7 P.M gretfully. it's almost too smooth flend, to which Gordon could bear wet There ae evidently some the day of the murder, 7M to be true. Facts don't ft in. Like witness cret shared by Merton which ine “Gordon's overhearing h . that in real life, and the most proba : ee volved the whole family. flis hai? ing to Wetherall the ceconar ean, ble. theory Isn't always the one, All the reat, though they both felt bullying attitude toward = Mr ing a his evidently hay We'll dismiss it, anyway, and take up ComVinced of its truth, was built up Wetherall contirms this; also bis ing some hold over Wetherall 2 point by ‘point. Have you any from theory alone, and the case words to Martha: (also overheard “The fact that he and Jamen on itm ainst Bertha held such dameging by Jerryy: ‘If 1 had interte: Thompson, Martha's husband, You apoke of some secret jestimony that It would tak : when {t concerned me [ should not were the same, and ‘Thompson's Which’ Merton shared, Couldn't: it} ee aaee be drinking myself to death now having been wanted for stealing Dave been the facts concerning Ben. Un mere theory to upset it That's just the trou to forget It’ his employer's money, ja nin Wetherall’s death’ Aon Eratale a le, paid Gor- i ; A Mt, yy Tipe ctl Oe btediy the (on gravel id we've simply got A Ma reha’a ieiUraliccatten the t that he was @ drug flend xactiy, 1c is undoubtedly th other servants had lefethe after. "nd a drunkard, to which both dea, Add to that Merton's real or {0 prove sume of our points, | V Roun before nang, lect the acer’ you and Peter Mincum could tes- imaginary wrong at the handa of Gin! even show ponitively that either Bilhseatarclic’ aie hin ection, ay Mrs. Wetherall, and you have the Merton or Martha was on the spo: TERM aie ie ouidente “De, Wilson's Statement that It mutlve supplied Show Wilts cate te phen s ig # is possible for & person not to re ‘Not for murder and s ieVace 1 be able to produce alibi not ih the murder itself, but in My lg ¥ Hee ey tor the wointn, and if tanded 16 blackmail hire, Waihere tain any consciousness of having — tlish, cold-blooded one,” objected & ! y 1k hd up al a fainted, or of what happened dur- don "He might &tempt” blackmail, )MV0! m | dlorton's not welns Ne a ie ing the faint as you spoke of Martha doing, but i {Det bt bes pe Re alenta SEC OneIUA PRB Marton siies “By Jove!" exclaimed Gordon don’t think those ideas would be sut- {rg CAN! We Broweds he only thing i crime fro 4 ieee a i o de is to frighten Martha into tel of revenge, ur becuuse his unbal “You see." answered — Rol DONeE ena) Mae unites 108 Re a of rarent perouse his Wl ‘A oliins 0 Dut dim Me Ue: PHAR LCRRANAE WeecaS! Bill unced mid felt that wan t either theory is plausible and can A man, He was a wre dye thought of that botdre, but f appointed instrument of punish- pe made to explain the facts; and Whiskey-sodd: ot COOL WARY EO Unt We Bad Our Chae ment. Oreven becau. bis liberty — yet ‘only. on them Ja right. And own’ confession, drug-polsoned, PETE NT and WR Ene ean An was in danger we can find that one only by going you know anything of the elf Clover and brasen oF she wouldn't be Manner of ‘ over each weighing cocaine On a patieaily Weak nature? rome and she will need careful hand “Met Martha py wrrangement the facts for a t. ft la one of the deadiient habltctorite (eee aan rar eoeely Jet hee ohink: tim after the servants had left, and et us t WO -HRAG HvcaheMM: Ing AruaR KUOW re rand Tine tO: Oe eae: Cet RE RMTTIOE MOLL OF BRAE: AG While family being in rear at din- We've Just gained an important cor- Cuturities: ite vietlns are continually hus come how for spent uct ten ner, the house was practically roborating fact in Benjamin Wether- fancying themselves slighted, inault- Minw Murthe that's gotng:t serted, Martha probably kn all's will, and yet it can work both cd, or wrong vee slighted, Inaulte Miss Murthe thave going to .p that Mr, Wetherall had been called = Ways, Mr. and Mrs, Wetherall may es! man mo y the strength and How are you going to do it? away und was leaving that night. have been in league with each other “hntiay nel ite unera are well’ asked Goran vurioul’ a Her idea undoubtedly was to Just as easily as at odds, and then cajied ‘fends,’ for nothing | eruel Wai J osee," retu Rollins threaten or blackmail Mrs, Weth the theory would not hold wood. It op vindictive for th to do when oracularly rather wait (90 erall during his absence, and go must have been a strong motive to Under the influence long before wooing, aw | intend to Lose she instructed her husband to ake nan ib eo wise he had That's why [ve kept to the theory fo time in getting up there. And I'd confront the old lady after Mr. lived with in apparently perfect har- o¢ sterton ull along since finding his advise you to have T lithe tall a Wetherall had gone, she hid him — meny for so many years, addiction, for it explains many. c+ Miss Bertha at Maine time, It in her room until that time, and Vet, give syhressing need fF wicting points. fle might actually OW if ahe knows anything about th algo intended to stay there herself, money, of which Bringley's discovery have though! that his own life was Powders, and what use her aunt on Was taken with one of her severe Maken tis Cott OO ne te Men. in danger." of them, And see if she can't thr nosebleeds, which threatened to Man would suck at nothing, If Mrs. nit te ry i are right on teat point, @ little more light on Merton's rel become a hemorrhage, and afraid = Wetherall iatuscd to alow Mim ne But you said there micht not have tons with her aunt, Gee, it's near! to stay where she was unable to touch her niece's money, he enieht iy any murder if Martha hat four; we haven't any time to lose, T'va move for fear of detection. supped Whit take it. in-my opinion, une (here. Had she influence to pre huneh things going to happen out and went to her aunt's, @ mile egy he could literally kill two birds !7, ; bo th A amhichiti or more trom a ban With one. stone—get rid of hia wife “Same, undoubtediv, or Merton | In spite of the heat, which had only Aunt swears she stayed all faq! att me time Ax the criine Would not have followed her pln of Been increased by the thunderstorm night, and there are no means of cer have her mdjudged meeting, She was the head and ey made such kood time that pr proving the statement false. It 18 giiminaily insane, and go gain con- {h@ band, and the murder happened ently the big house loomed up bef probable that she was not on the frut\-cr the property because the latter got away from its t! looking even under the br spot at the time of the murder, There's a clever diabolicalnesa BUlding spirit.” Nant sunshine, gloomy and dark os aciharwine he would Nave about the scheme that seema to ft in, I don't wqree with you 1 Rolling went arour the, bs fade same attempt to atop it, Sitt'ine rest thi at abe came to do th earch of Martha, and. Gorton not sharsng her husband's insane It's pretty complete, I admit, and pyc Aniline By Neaitips Pe era aero eae ite hate. {1 took w clever brain’ to plan it out, Used bs hie RUE LR ELA ence rp OL Mies aie Re RE Merton had waited until fyoly about the other theory? nto he ; contiden «fh nut havi wondering how he could best find Wetherall left, then slipped down Leta mo over that, The motive peen foolannews apual hae nservatory om fiom ‘ the servante’ e there is not so clearly established, but such an uner parine Re ned #0 , ) (which are in a ml a e» manner of ying oF ® € 1 c 5 : Wetherall, aroused by some noise, guard to the first theory, I don't kn ng into ¥ ine concern wag Bertha hers? Hh watched atapping softly downstairs. Prene jus: hh far 4 hypnotic influe 8 - t WE AR wad fron) one Alad with cocaine and fancied Could make its subject wo in aetione Rolling in ony 1" assented plant to anoth nw off dried wrong, he had alipped into the and beliefs, and something in Miss kins naw a PS RPO ape tt al ei theirs nearest room, which happened to Wetherall’s character makes ine ia- ay access: a olnwing Meuse Cenatar mee co tesn gate os be Mra, Wetherall’, picked up ¢lined to doubt that she could be wo minor detaile which can be fitted in fragrance. bier Tf you were lost in the Canadian woods and a gloriously beautiful girl should happen al Well, that is the situation LURA OF THE NORTHLAND ong confronting the hero of By ROBERT E. PINKERTON NEXT WEEK'S COMPLETE NOVEL IN THE EVENING WORLD This is a story of the Big Outdoors —just the sort to read in springtime. There is plenty of adventure and mystery in it and a goodly portion of somewhat unusual love interest. This intimate view of her nature gave him an exquisite pleasure, Sure+ ly if those who believed her guaty could only see her now, among flo of which she seemed thi est one, they could not credit her with even one thought that was not true and genti Ths young man might longed his rhapsodic hts still longer, but that she turned and saw him. ‘The welcome In her smile would have told ita tale to a more conceited man, and even Gordon felt its sweet suggestion, It stirred an answering feeling in him that rose up imperi- ously and thrust aside the knowledge that this wan neither the time nor the place for such thoughts. He knew only that he loved this girl over- wkhelmingly and absolutely, and that must tell her so and find out if she felt the same, With a woman's keen intuition, Bertha sensed this, and with the same womanly inconsistency tried to avoid what she wholly desired, “You have been gone so long,” she sald, “You must have discovered a lot of things by this time, have pro- “1 have,” he answered, looking at her steadily, “Something very im- portant-to both of us.” t must be so) hing very seriou from your tone,” she answered quick ly, raising her startled eyes to his. “Have you—have they found Thomp- son yet?” but [ have found something still more important, [t is something I didn’t mean to tell, you until all this nightmare and worry was past and off your mind, but I can't wait any longer. J love you, Bertha—I think [ have loved you ever since T first. saw you. Do you—could you care for me, too?” In spite of him- self his voice shook with anxiety he asked the question. A quick rush of color surged across her lovely face, and she half turned away L think,” she murmured in a volco so low he could scarcely hear it, “that T've always cared for you, too. But" —as the young man made a glad step forward—"I haven't the right to ace cept your love now-—with these sua- picions and dreadful accusations— John, t can't; don't you see? But Gordon's arms were around her, and his kisses on her lips were driv- ing away further doubts, “1 don't see anything but that we Jove each other, and nothing lve mat- tors, And you surely can’t think that 1 would care any less for you because of them? “No, n ” Her head drooped hap- pily on his shoulder, “Kverything you hy done for me in this terrible time has shown me how big and dis- interested your love Ix, But I feel that It isn’t right for you to bind yourself to any one in such a position as mine He bent over and kissed the words back. ‘Hush, sweet question of that will b cleared #yon if the trail we are fol- lowing lead# us to the right person= as Lam positive it will She slipped her hand into his, “Tell me who it is, What have you found out?” “First tell me som Gordon, tardily remembering the de- tective'’s instructions, “Do you know whether your aunt had any hold over Thompson, Martha's husband? Bertha knitted her brows, times think she had, but I've n nite proof except that one heard her scolding Martha for s thing, and she added: ‘If you ev care to see your husband again you had better be was saucy.” “f don't think Martha was very fond of her, although outwardly she seemed devoted. Mra, Wetherall used to give her lots of dresses and things and was usually very Kind to her, 1 © isn't any thing,” returne some defi- jay 1 never saw Thompyon himself, and when 1 asked some question about lim once of my uncle he put me off, do you still think that he 4 the one that murdered my aunt mo moportans still, do you think she was murdered?” a little away She attempted to draw but Gordon's from him as she spoke arma held her close he said. “There is tion of the facts tha nd not conflict You are you saw mie down the was alive and suddenly fell your au stairs, and that sh perfectly well untl half-way dows ided when Hertha 1 nind like is fixed on my {ful pict Ah, there you were What you thought war « econd Was probably a minute, dust you lost consciousness. called up a well-known spec asked him whether such a could be. 1 felt you were t truth, and yer that we must the hatpin, And I think we Briefly he retold the theory they had worked out a short before, ‘The girl listened in hand still clasping his It seems to explain everyt ind yet—L can't feel that the tine day 1 alist and ng ny the explain that stood by the table w et nstant. [should fall I So people have been positive that they haven't _napped w they ha been asieep for a half 10 The doctor toned at soldier overc TaN haustion s beat w event less, wall ap and dow ty formed al mechanical duties of “LE ha ings.” said He wi t \ { aid els tad \ ' k of som g else nicer (he rest--yourself! But firet just one matter that Rollins is anxious to know. Did your aunt ever use any drugs to make her sleep at night?” “No, most decidedly not. She had a horror of medicines, and never took them un was desperately sick. My uncle had a hard time that nigne persuading her to take a simple little powder for her head.” , A powd what night?" “The night of the—her death, She had quite a headache, was very rest- less and nervous, and Uncle Godfrey mixed her a powder in water and gave it to her, He sald it was only a simple bromide, but even then he had to fairly make her take it.” “When and where did he give it to her?" asked Gordon, quickly. “Right after dinner. He brought out & glass of Water and shook the powder in it. “ nd threw the empty paper away where it lodged in a crack in the stairs!” exulted Gordon, “So far it hangs together—but why the dick- ens did he want to dope his wife? I don't understand that part “Dope? Why, there was only « small dose of bromide in there!” “So he sald; but those powders had five grains of chloralamid in each, It was probably the dose acting on a ystem unused to drugs that made wakeful instead and sent her wandering down the stairs. Wonder what Rollins will make of this in his theory?" “Oh, I'm so sick of theories and suspicions!” she sighed, we never to get away from them? ‘Just as fast we can, but we must stick to them a little longer until we can explain the mystery fully, And then I shall take you away from these shivery things, and you shall have nothing but sunghine and happiness, “It 1 have there will always be the others,” she smiled, and Gor- don gave her the only suitable an- swer under the circumstances. And then because she looked so happy he kissed her again, and in the Joy of that moment ail the doubts and anxi- eties vanished, After ten minutes of blisi they were recalled abruptly, There had been no sound to warn or startle him, and it was only a sixth sense that told Gordon they were not alone. His ‘ms dropped from around Bertha, He turned sharply and met the eyes of Quinn, Vor once they did not shift, but re- mained staring at him, and Gordon fancied there was a mocking triumph In their cold, gray depths. His own flashed angrily. What business had the fellow here spying on them? “What do you mean by this, Mr Quinn?” he demanded sharply. “T hardly need to ask you the same question,” Quinn drawled slowly. The inference was #0 obvious, and the man's tone so full of half-con- cealed insolence, that the hot blood rushed to Gordon's face. He clenched his hand angrily and moved a step forward, Bertha, however, laid her hand re- strainingly on his arm, a it wi she who broke the tense ailence wi! a quiet, cool volce, “This is my he you have explain it Her manner and tone were filled with a quiet dignity, and the detect- Jed it an unwilling respect. ave business here, Miss Weth- erall” he said in his deep votce, shifting his eyes to the ground. “And of the most serious kind. It ts my disagreeable duty to arrei Mr. Quinn. If any business here kindly CHAPTER Xi. Gordon Takes the Trick. R a moment the two could scarcely believe their ears. Bertha stood as if stricken to marble, and Gordon passed his hand slowly over his forehead, where a clammy eweat had started despite the heat. Aguin it was Bertha who epoke first He arrested for murder? crasy” No, Miss Wetherall," Jittle de tive, with te drawl that than any open ing orders. rdon stepped forward, Are you Answered the the same half- Was more in- trlumph, “"I Apolk sulting only obey rdevs, aud on what rs ts do you make this ridiculous Wulun put bis hand into hie pocket and drew out a paper ftere’s my w sant,” he said, “and reasons for it the district attorney will explain to you, Now, miss, [ll led kK you to come with Me as BOOT yu can get ready I've got the carriage waiting outside to take Us all to Bedford.” Hedtord was the county seat, some twelve miles from there. As Gordon heard the name he realized with sick ing suddenness that the expected vlow had fallen heavily indeed. He did not care for himself; 6 could easily disprove gainst him; but t he felt the charge y have Bertha put an ordinary jail, to be tortured h questions, and exposed to a notoriety of such a position lg his nerves to the breaking: wi » thought still—-how could er, save her from this al, if he, too, were im { now to the full of wi he is hate of the man before pable, He would make tt it of the fa t ir love for t oir meetings, anc ae Was, there was reason in it to make 1 > explain away, They ad heen the only ones on the scene time, too, when 1 to Its having (To Be Continued.) — aeeengmenunenensensrwees © 4