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Th« Barnwell People-Sentinel, Barnwell. S. C. Thursday, Au^uHt 13, 1936 X By NARY HASTINGS BRADLEY Copyright by D. Appleton* C^Stury Co., Inc. WNU Service CHAPTER XIII—Continued —11— “She is. And now’s her chance, but nuch good it will do her. Dan’s had a dose of the sex to last him a life time. . . . But I want to see Letty,” Mitchell went on, thoughtfully. "We’ll Just wait here and grab her when she comes out That gives me an excuse for lingering in the light of your lovely eyes.” “Iob leave my eyes out of It," I said eroosly. “But I can’t. They are in it. You didn't suppose it was your ability to •ell an Angelico from an Angelica that aude me your shield and buckler, did you? Where is your feminine intui tion? What do you think I’ve been rallying round you for? Intellectual curiosity?" “Because you’re a lovely character," I said promptly. “Because you have sympathy and protectiveness ahd in sight and Intuition." “Are you running for anything?" he Inquired politely. “Running for my life," I told him and that Sobered us both. Ha reverted to my theories. “You think It's Ranclni—?” “And you think—?" “I don’t think—yet. 1 Jest know something, something whose Implica tions I can't quite fathom. And yet—“ “But what is It you know—? If you'll tell me—" If he had told me then I But l*etty ▼ an Alstyn. with Deck In her wake, appeared at the dining room entrance, aad be hurried to rlae to meet them. “Letty darling." said Mitchell quick ly. “what kind of cigarettes does our Alan smoke? Not a word out of yoa. Deck I It’s an Intolllgeaca teat.” ha told her. bis keA eyes hard oa her, “You have to be right the first time.'* The girt ami led vaguely. “But I haven t the least Idea " why did you say to the ottcer, you asked for a cigarette. 'Ask Mr Deck for kis-l like hla klndT There was a queer atllloeas about oa Letty Van Aiatya looked merely perplexed. “t*d I say that? I doa’t remember. | eupfMwe I thought the man a would be terrible " “As It happens, be d<>r«a't smoke at all. bat you dida t kaow that You were )wet making sure he asked (>erk for his rase And I ask yow-whyr L*<ty shrugged ’ But I d»a t re mrmher saying that . . I've Just beea telling I jnny bow simply slrk I feet U> have asked f<«r a smoke rhea That did bring It on. dida I tl? II ass beastly link." ”1 haien’t g«*t It In fi»r you. old dear." Itrrk told her lightly. “All right You fall. Letty. Maybe you know the answer, link? What kind of rigarettre do you amokr?“ “Luckies." said Ih-rk !n»nl< ally. I aaw bis band touch Lefty a arm. and she said quo kly, "Monty, do some thing fur tue that a a darling Never mind about the old cigarette cnee. I want you to run up and get Dan. to rome dow n here * She added. "He II go mad. all alone la that awful room. Tell him I simply must see him. Tell Mm It ■ liu|N>rtant. You will, won't you?” “Why not?" said Mitchell agreeably. “Only why didn't you ask Dun for a amok*-? ||e was Just behind you." “Ijiwytw!" said l-etty, In tier mild, amused tone. “If you must know I don't like Dan's kind." “What kind Is that?" She knew Unit. “Macedoniaa. But what difference does It make? Do go ap now ami make him come." “All right, all right." He looked back at me as If he were about to say something, then went on ■p the ste|>s. Deck, without a back ward look, was following Mitchell and 1 moved on after them. At the landing Deck turned to .the left-hand branch leading towards his room, and Mitchell took the right with me behind him. At the second tloor he turned directly to Harriden’s door and after a soft knock, apparently unre- apouded to, moved on to Mrs. Ilar- riden’s room. Just as I started up the next flight, I looked back and saw him •nter. I hadn’t the slightest inclination to go on up to my room. Nothing there invited me. The moment I wax left alone, without the excitement of Deck * presence; without the companionship af Mitchell, I felt myself in the grip at the old uncertainties and gloomy harassment s. Nothing had come of my laboriously fconght-out suspicions. Nothing was cleared up. Mitchell bad not seemed mock impressed when I had told him, hut then, Mitchell's manner was un- reveallng when he chose to make It so. 1 wondered over his questions about the cigarettes. I wondered If he was trying to bring Letty's mind back to that afternoon, to that feeling which had ao strangely overcome her. I won Acred if ha bad found anything about iba brown cruaceoL 1 hated to be shut away with my awa Uha«M>hi and when, at the lap af the stairs, the gray cat ran past me I tried to capture IL It eluded me, but determinedly I turned back after It Even a cat was better company than myself. But It was down the stalre ahead of me, and I beard Hariiden’s voice saying angrily, “Damn that beast! It’s always trying to get In here!" He and Mitchell bad come out of the room, I saw, and I heard the door slam. The two men went downstairs togeth er, and I turned and went up my flight again. The cat came, too, and this time I got hold of IL Snuggling my qheek against Its warm fur I carried it Into my room. But not even a cat and cream silk walls and rose red cushions could make the room bearable that night. It was a wet, windy night, October turned dismal, and a tall tree kept tapping at a pane like fingers. I tried to marshal the facts In my mind and study them. And I thought of something that had not'occurred to me before—that the finding of the dia mond In Deck’s case might be utterly unrelated to any of the rest. I would not put It past Harrlden to bolster the ease he sincerely thought he had against Deck by planting that pendant In his case. He might have found It about the room that night and re solved to make it clinch the evidence he was so sure of in his own mind. He might have found the chain It self, for that matter. He might have planted that chain on me. He hated me enough for having told about the scene at the window. But no—the chain was wrapped In the stained hand kerchief—the handkerchief from which Nora Harriden’s blood had been washed. It was Ranclni, I thought, who had tiptoed Up the stairs In the night to my room with that I thought of going to Donahey and trying to talk things over with him. I wanted to do anything that would tpke me out of that lonely room. So I went downstairs again. I took the cat In my arms for com pany. It was purring. In deceptive quiet, but the moment we were on the second floor It made a clear spring and raced away down the hall. Aa I looked after It I saw It vanish about the edge of the door that was ajar Into Mrs. Haniden's room. I wait ed; nothing happened. Harrlden evi dently wasn’t there. A perfect panic of fear poeeeaaed me; I shared all llar- riden’a feelings about having the cat In that room for 1 bad been brought op never to let a cat be alone with the dead. I waited a moment more, tbea hur ried to the door of the room, said "Kitty, kitty, kitty," very softly aad coaslugly but with no remit Then I looked la. The room was faintly lighted by one or two rose shaded lamps No oue was there hot that still figure under the white sheet oa the bed. As I looked lute the room, my threat filling with that emotloa that death evokea. I aaw the everhaaglag cloth quiver and atlr—then oat from uader the bed re me the rat. arrhlag Its hark a gal net the draping aheet. I was dee prrately afraid that It weald awke a auddea spring oa the bed as | stole la softly aad tried te ratrh It hat It evaded me aad ran towards the fire place "Kitty, kitty, kitty.’* | said, my hushed towca appealing, aad I thought the creature hesitated, then, as I made another move. It leaped the low arrrva Into the B replace where the white birrb logs were laid and rubbed against »ne of the tall, brass and I rows. Then It at lipped rubbing and began te reach up aad lick that aadiruu. It licked along the edges of the braaa. Brat experimentally, then euthosiaatl cally, and It seethed te me aa If all the blood la my body rushed te my heart and pounded there. That andiroe— that tali, sharp pointed andiron. . . . I made a swift rush to the a boor bed cat and caught It up I knew now. | knew something, at any rate. It was Ilka seeing dlaroo- nected things by lightning. One or two scenes stood out with fiery dis tinctness. Another fluab and 1 would see more. 1 ought to have gone out of that room then. I ought to have gone straight to Donahey and told him. 1 knew IL I moved towards the door, the cat In my arms. And then my eyes fell on a small leather case on the table. Nora Harrlden's dressing case. The case which, I believed, had held her letters. The case which might yet hold them. I make no defense for what I did then. It was utterly Indefensible. But I felt on me the pressure of Deck's des perate need, the savageness of Har riden’s hate. I felt that Deck’s life might depend upon getting that last letter of his out of Harrlden’s hands. And here was opportunity. If I could get that letter back—If no real motive could be shown— I went to that case, and, gripping the cat firmly under my arm, I opened It Swiftly I ran my Icy fingers along the green silk lining where I had seen llarriden’s big, blunt fingers stop sud denly In their exploring. When I had seen his face change to that still at tentiveness. But the lining was smooth, unpadded by paper. • It waa flat * Empty. 1 waa so Intent that 1 heard nothing. My first Intimation of any approach waa Harrlden's harsh voice booming out CHAPTER XIV Those next few moments were brand ed In on me with red hot Irons. 1 never think of them without feeling tbs burning agony of their humiliation, and tbs otter panic of their fear. That triumphant voice, venting its rage, shouting a summona for the oth ers to come. ... That heavy band grip- iwug m ara ... 1 triad t» wrench My self away but HanideaTbold waa Ilka steel. The conaclouaneaa of my own foollshneas and foolhardloeaa filled me to suffocation. The room seemed to be crowded with faces, appealing almost at once. They swam, before me In a blur of confusion. Hostile faces, quickened with curiosity. The guests of that house-party, I thought hysterical)/, were like supers In a show, always gathering In some mob scene. They must get a wonder ful kick out of it “Looking through my wife’s dressing case—after more Jewelry," Harrlden flung out for their benefit I tried again to shake off the Im prisoning hand. I gasped: “I came in after the cat. ... It ran In the door." "You little liar! I ahut that door when I went out I aaw to that.” He gave my arm a vicious shake. “You sneaked in here the Instant this room was left alone. You were watching for the chance—maybe you planned to get IL You were after this dressing case, the key to the Jewel box. This finishes you. Arrest her, Inspector—I demand her arrest I" Donahey had materialized out of the blue, the cartoon of an official off duty, in his shirt sleeves, vest unbuttoned, a thick cigar in the corner of his heavy mouth. Hla hard eyes took it all in. “Has she got anything, Mr. Har rlden ?” “How do I know? I haven’t looked yeL I Just got hei$ and caught her at it." “Well, she can’t get away,” said Don ahey comfortably, shifting his cigar. “Better take a look round and see if there’s anything missing." Harriden’s grip fell reluctantly from my arm. He went slowly to the closet and looked within to see If the Jewel box was safe. I saw him bring It ouL try the clasp. It was still locked. There are no worda for the agony I felL The sick mortification. Caught In my own folly. Then he came back and looked tqto the open dreasing case and a sudden thought seemed to strike him. I saw hla fingers move over the llolng of the case as I had seen them move before. Then bis face turned a dark, hideout red. He whirled about aod stood over me. thrusting that swarthy, lowering face Into my own. “So that'a It. is It?" he said. Hla voice was terrible. "You give them back—do you hear?" "Is the key cooeT I>ooabey was asking, still thinking of the Jewel case. "Lost anything?" "Papers." Harrlden ground out “She took ihem. . . . Inspector, she's got a lot of papers oa her. Search her. I tell you. Out them hock at eare." “I havoa’t any papers." I said, with aiacero thaahagtvtag that I hada t. “Search ms. If you like." sad I made a wide gesture with oua arm I lot tho cat go and hoard thorn pattiag It out. Tbea tho meaalag of It all cam# to ma. Tho totters hod booa hi Ados (bore, as I surmtaod—aow they Tho Aoor had beea had shat It. aad I had hoard It slam ss ho sad Mitchell had walhad off. Oft# had Iu—Dock had cams la aad takes the letters. Thai was the esptaaatlou, I resitted belatedly, of (tacks sceuo downstairs with Letty Yaa Aiatya —he had beea urging her tu get llnrrtdeu downstairs, knowing she would be only too glad to do It for tho take of her own deal re tu he ulth him. And I had sever gurnard, never sue parted. I had Monde red into the room and tried te nave him In that moment I saw him, appear ing suddenly at the crowded doorway, staring surprised!/ at me ever the crowd. I was afraid that he would Wort out something lacrimiaating him self la order to clear me. 1 dida t want him leillag Harrlden to go to the devil, that he had lakes his own letters and destroyed them—tho sesndai would be ineffaceable I spoke wot quickly. “1 came la the room after the cat. Mr. Harrldea. I knew you did not want It to run In. And 1 was Just going out when you came and found me—I was Just pass ing the table where this case happened to be." "You were looking through that case! The cover was open, you little crook— you’d got those letters out ... I tell you. Inspector, I want her searched." At that moment a hand slid through my arm and Monty Mltchelf was by my side. He was no taller than I, but he seemed a very tower of strength. I felt courage flowing into me through that friendly touch. “You’ve gone crazy again, Dan," he said curtly. “You’ve been having too many drinks with Letty. You heard Miss Seton say she came In after the caL She Is not Interested In your let ters." “You mind your business," Harriden retorted. "What’s Miss Seton to you?” “As It happens, we are engaged,” said Monty MitcbelL “That’s what she ts to me.” An electric shock seemed to rqn through that room, but no one there was more completely astonished than I was myself. Involuntarily I looked about at him, and he gave me back a funny twinkle, his fingers squeezing my arm. I thought what u comfort It would be to put my .beatL.down 0 n his shoulder and sob out all my rage and disgust/ hut pride held my head high. "That Isn’t true," I heard myself saying. “I don’t need to take ad vantage of Mr. Mitchell's protection— of bis wish to establish a position for me. I have one of my own. ... I have taken nothing of Mr. Harrlden’s." ‘Yoo're a liar!" said Harrlden vio lently. “Damn yout I don’t care whether you’re Mitchell'* fancy girl or not” Mitchell struck him In the face. He leaped at him like a ball terrier at A mastiff. Thu Mow caught Harrldea unprepared, and he reeled, a haad at hla chin, then, iflth a choking sound he Innged at hla aasallanL With official agility Donahey*s ' big body Intervened; Keller and young Watkins sprang to hold Dan. “Not here, Dan, not here—" Keller’s reminder had Its weight. Harrlden gave a queer look towards the bed, to that atill, sheeted figure of his wife, and his arms fell He drew a deep, convulsive breath. He addressed Donahey. “Whoever this girl Is, she took those papers." “What sort of papers were they, Mr. Harrlden?" ~ “Never mind what sort of papers they were. I can Identify them quick enough." “But you have to give ua some idea—" I think Donahey was stalling for time with Mitchell's angry eyes upon him. “They were letters,” Harrlden rasped ouL “Prtvate letters. She U a thief and a blackmailer." He added, “If they aren’t on her she has de stroyed them. They were here when I left this room." Involuntarily our heads turned to that fireplace but no flames danced there. No fire had been touched off slnce-those white birch logs had been laid In preparation for Mrs. HsrrI- den’s arrival. The sight of the andirons exploded something in my brain. It was as though some flash of lightning, the flash I had been waiting for, subcon sciously, flung Into Indelible brilliance the way before my straining vision. I spoke out, throwing all caution to the winds. “You’ll fiud blood on one of those andirons, Mr. Inspector. On the left hand one. It Is Mrs. Harrlden’s blood. ... It has been washed away, bm It Is still in the deep places. . . . She was killed by Dlllng on ^L by being thrown back uptn IL" In the stillness that descended on the room there was literally no sound. Not even of breath. It seemed as If all those people there bad become shadows, noiseless, unreal. Impalpa ble, Incapable of movetnenL Only Harrlden waa real, and he was still, too, still ss the dead women on her bed. I felt as If she lay there, be low her sheet, listening latently, wait ing upon me. Tbea a voice came, Harrldea’s vole*, hoarsened, hardly distinguish able. “If you know—that—you did It "No. you." I sold "When you struck at her the second tints Whea you fol lowed her away from the window. It was you who struck at her at thu I weut ou. “You hud Pattern 1889-B There is nothing smarter for cool summer wear than silk lin en, novelty crepe, dotted swiss, or printed silks, especially when fashioned into a slim and trim model like this stunning design. 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Ad ams St., Chicago, 111. Q Bell Syndicate. — WNU Service. Of IHIEREST TO I HOUSEWIFE Add a tablespoon of cream to roast beef or lamb gravy. It makes it a delicious brown. e e e Some folks use a small, round goldfish bowl with a small open ing at the tip as a spatter-proof place to whip cream, beat eggs, etc. 0 0 0 Drain all juices .rom fruits or vegetables used for salads before arranging them on the plates. Placing the food in a colander for five minutes is a good idea as then all juices. will drain out quickly. 0 0 0 Place a glass pie plate over thu top of the kettle when making a stew. The stew may then be watched while cooking without lifting the cover or allowing steam to escape. • • • Do not wash art muslin cur tains in warm water. Make a lather with hot water and when it is nearly cold wash the cur tains. If the muslin is green add a little vinegar to the water in which they are washed; if lilac or pink add a little ammonia. O Associated Newspapers-—WNU Ssrvlos. I/U7n tkfi. GENUINE l#»f\ INSTANT IBLA lighting SCIF.MCATW4U TWfWWsUapee- IRON We We la>B^e«eev^waaMB wee«e Nee ■ w station uome ' You’re a Liar I" up early, though you denied this. No> body remembered clearly enough to contradict you. You cams to her room, you quarreled and then struck out at her. She fled backwards and you struck at her again. Perhaps you atruck her down, perhaps ahe fell trying to escape you, but ahe feD across the screen, knocking It over, and her head crashed on that and Iron." I wasn’t looking at him. I was look ing at that sharp - pointed andiron, watching what I saw there. "Shu came down with all her welghL You rushed to draw the curtains. Ton lifted her up, carried her into the closet. Perhaps you thought ahe wan already dead. She died very soon, her blood on that closet door. . . . You wiped off the andiron with youi handkerchief, you wet the handker chief and washed over the andiron but more blood than you knew had run Into the deep grooves of Its deco- rations. Then you washed the hand kerchief and left it drying on the radiator.” I Spoke as if I were seeing IL 1 was seeing It; everything that had been confused and atrangn was sud denly crystallized and car*. And through it all I had that eerie feeflug that the dead woman was listening to me, approving eacu word. “You were aghast, hut you concen trated on your danger," I said. “You locked the closet and went In your room and dressed for dinner. Then you came back and rang fbr thu maid. You stood st thu door watch ing for her; you had darkened thu room behind you. You told her net to disturb Mrs. Harrlden. Yon trlud to give us the Impression that Mrm Harrlden had spoken to her. hut A» • too denied thaL" (Tv n coimiwwD) GO FJKff/eK. BEFORE YOU NEED A QUART Try tho “First Quart" tost. Drain and refill with Quaker State. See how far you go before you have to add the first quart. And remember ... the oil that stands up longest is giving your motor the safest lubrication. 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