Show RED HUrrON DITON A I fYS y WILL IRWIN pop 18 of ot Preceding Chapters DM ii Harding and Miss Jones living p Moored Moore boarding hou house e in Now New Nowr n. n r art are entertaining men friends 1 in Y the n nr house home parlor Professor f Noll NoH d d hL joins loins them Captain p IB 45 15 yearn yeara rs CI of ot age of or moody disown dig dis own XI p lives on the Ute third floor Joor a HOBS S r bIl Dail from Noll NoH Mrs Moore goes to room room of tiles Miss Estrilla who In I ill Mien Hite ts I brother Is 15 reading rending to ta her M Mrs Dina ft passes as 88 ho ascends the He does dou not span speak t Lawrence calls and nd asks for Hanska The espY he Is In bed toed but to send Wade stairs to the descends the they r looks In and leaf leaves ee the ho house EM Harding goes up upstairs five aVe minutes Kir It ar She hears high words in fn Hanska's s ee em ai and believes she eho r recognizes Wad Wades Wade's ct c. and that of at Hanska Wade Vade leaves i house Tommy North 22 i- i years lack ars of 1 homo home drunk at 2 o 0 clock In InC morning g. Mrs fn Moore hears hear hi him He lIe C ambles on the third floor noor landing falling th floor His hands strike a 8 pool poo of ot d which he wipes on his shirt front turns turn on the light in his groom room sees Bees blood and gives the ala alarm Enters 8 room and sees ues the bod body which Ek the door Noll oU rushes ruches to the room 1 a 8 knife In breast tEe tEe- Ee- Ee enters enter He 84 says his hJ slater stater has tele- tele wed ned him of ot the murder Mrs Moore North as a. the murderer when sees leU his bil bloodstained clothing Madam tar e who hay has a 8 bo boarding bouso house i es i the street treet i It is Attracted tt c ted b by toy y th the toe com com- i es i the street treet i It is Attracted tt c ted b by toy y th the toe com com- She a notifies M tho the police and coroy coror coro- coro fer r r. r by telephone To a 8 policeman she xe 8 an order signed by Inspector McGee lr tt all ail matters concerning her be reto reto re- re fid to him Suspicion is heavy upon Simy my North He b becomes defiant and by the 1 police They try to make hi n. n Moore fa say she did not hear him ener eneri en- en er eri the house The detective o sergeant hen het asks Mrs Mr Moore a sneering Question the board- board She tells of ot Wades Wade's visit All n n 1 are aro transferred to Madam LeGrange's LeGrange a t cuss u. u across the street el IThe The scene shifts to police hea headquarters produce an alibi Wade is m miss miss- ss sg from his hJ club He Ife is i. traced to Bosin Boson Boson Bos Bos- on in where here be he is arrested as he is 11 board- board ig BIa a steamer bound for Europe Europe- He reMe re- re Me He to answer qu questions Madam LaGrange LeGrange who was wac once a R. me me- lam Ham and who had helped In Inspector tor Mee Me- Me re fee e on other Cas cases 8 calls upon him She Shells ills n. n of ot her experiences She had saved tobert ebert ert H. H Norcross railroad ra king frome from he hili e grip of a R. designing woman and hea he head ad lIet a rewarded her by leaving her a R. coma com- com lM a to lo Income and a home She th then n IHn and unA nd idled for tor a niB 1 1715 but was for lack of ot oc- oc and opened a a. boarding house houlle She tells McGee that Wade Wod has baa an ath- ath Ic lc record that he be was a n f fencer In coland coland col- col and the wound that killed c d have hae been made mado only onh by a ft fencer ort art rt hat has been en made e to find the origin I the ie knife McGee rc and Rosalie Madam I Orange discuss the personality of I i of the boarders and nd inmates of ot thee the 19 e of death TheIr suspicions are con con- ux upon on Wade node I Nothing yet But I bet brt Ill I'll find I re ewhen e e when I r put pat Lawrence Wade Wadel l through the third do degree dorree ee I guess Ruess its it's Wade II I e I guess ness tess probably admitted Rosalie Most fost mysteries ain aint t mysteries mys rays teries at nil all after the a first day Well wen now Im I'm a II busy roan man in office hours an I must run along alon Lots Lets see nee five five o minutes to 4 an its it's bad luck to too togo pro go o before the tho hour Suppose you tell tell me about yourself an how the worlds world's uin uain you rou youl 1 Inspector McGee sat back in his office chair and waxed eloquent However However How How- ever e his narrative e of pulls and promotions promotions promo promo- tione and Tammany influence was as never finished For before the hour struck tho the silent attentive o doorman entered entered en en- and laid on his bis desk a card 3rd Inspector In Inspector Inspector McGee took it up Rl glanced danced at atit atit atit it perfunctorily and suddenly let out an exclamation which had all the power and ana verve of at an oath By the groat cats he exclaimed look at that that Mrs Mrs John H H. Hanska Rosalie Rosalio took the card and fingered it Tho The widow I bet Thou Thought ht ho was wag single remarked the inspector Though after ai all Id I'd just been taking it for granted anted Well Fell said id Rosalie rising rising II soon again como 3 for me ins But the inspector was observing her with eves eyes which held quizzical tion Honest now now he eaid saia you like t to sit pit it in in on this thie interview interview Ro Rosalie Rosalio lio flashed her dimples and con can contemplated him for a second Then with ith the unexpected lightness which marked all her movements rho ebe h sat down See here Martin she said you ou aint goin gain to make mako a a. fool of mo me into this case but ease but Im I'm listen the dying to just same Show them in said the in inspector sped or oron on the instant and as though fearing that she ehe would pull back her sion ion But not unless fhe's willing HUng said aid Rosalie as aa th they y waited And then thon through the door came two women Good Good Lord llord commented Rosalie Rosalio under her breath CHAPTER m. m Mrs Hanska's Hanaka's Story The first was tall tan and big Mg But her height ht was mainly tho the superb carriage of her shoulders her her size sire but tho the ripe roundness of a goddess figure She was dark she oho was WM young she was beautiful uJ At that moment her hor face hinted tragedy in every ery l lino no and color but at an any moment she must have been serious it tt could smile only in flashes I that face with face with its it broad serene sereno brow which held its own OVoD only DIy by force against floods of ot dark hair with its regular line Une of ot profile with its large largo rippled mouth parting slowly even cven on her speech h But mainly it was the eyes eves which gave gravity it to her beauty They were clear and big they had Wid tho the Taro lift at the tho inner curve cuno which lends an appearance of frankness and in in- Beyond their beauty however they had an arresting quality so 50 strong when she regarded you full face a as to be poignant It all lay in is her lier expression sion o ox of innocence triumphant triumphant over o experience of ot sincerity triumphant tri triumphant over many has lies Rosalie RosalIo Le Grange connoisseur of her sox lOX sat eat regarding regarding re reo re- re garding her spellbound The second woman woman act in fact she abe was little te more t than n a a. a girl gil- gil had girl had ad everything u. u a. a u. u w which the other had bad not not- she sho scorned seamed I but tho the illuminated shadow of her who called herself Mrs Hanska She was slender Blender blond and fragile her fragile her ity was elfin ellin Rosalie Rosali could spare her but a glance I I am Mrs J Hanska widow of th the theman man who was killed last list night said the taller woman and she hesi hesitated It waa was not the custom of Inspector Martin McGee to w rise when women entered entered en en- his office in the role of ot the tho accused accused ac ac- ac- ac or of witnesses es A little brutality brutal brutal- ity of ot attitude he be felt feltt put them in a meek and hum humble DIe moo moos mood for lor the subsequent qu quent nt third degree gree proceedings But this woman or woman or was wall it the respected presence p en of Rosalio Le he drew him to his feet Wont yon you sit d down wn he said Thank you roue May I introduce Miss Mis Elizabeth Lane She is b here to verify what I have bave to ay say All AU thie thin wit with perfect simplicity Her eyes traveled then h with a quick glanco glance of inquiry to W Rosalie Le he Grange This said maid the in inspector taking his cue ene at nt a R. quick prod rod from rom Rosalie's foot is Mrs Le La Gran Grange e. e She i is the lady who came into t the tho ho house rl right ht after the and the accident and took the boarders rs o over er t to o h her ber er t p laCe place la ce for for fn tl H tho the boarders rs o over er t to o h her ber er t p laCe place la ce for for fn tl H tho the I night Shoe She's them kept t there thore over since sinco Sho She was just telling tellin t m me what she knew Maybe Maybo you'd lUte like to hoar boar it it Wit her beautiful seriousness Mrs rs Hanska considered In Inspector ector McGees McGee's words considered tho situation considered considered con con- Rosalie La Lo Grange Never Nover had Rosalie Rosalio presented moro morn convincingly the ap appearance of simple placid bour respectability Not of the tho quiver of or an eyelash the flash of a dimple quiet quiet Iu t eyed she gave Mrs Hanska Hans Han ha glance for glance glanco I I should like very vcrs much to hear It said Rid Mrs Yn Hane Hanska a earnestly But maybe you want to be he alone alono just at first lint interposed Ro Rosalie Rosalio making a pretense of rising ming No there thero there is nothing secret re reo plied Mrs Hanska I HI ee see no reason why yon you should not stay etar Indeed you may b DO able to help us She trained her look Jook steadily upon Rosalie Lo Gran Grange e. e Rosalie with all the gravity of this world in her hot brows brow looked back Something unseen of at Martin McGee McGeo passed between thorn them Women have with women their own ways waye unperceived unvalued by you you or mo or Martin McGoe McGee or any other I man who over ever Jived lived In that glance glanco two currents of ot fine subconscious emu emo mo tion had bad met root and fused Rosalie Le Jo Lean Granges Grange's mind had said eaid You Vou mancl yon an beauty And Constance ka B mind nd said I I trust t this woman wom wom- woman an whoever she is is H Now Martin McGee summoned tho the police stenographer and ordered him to stay within call c 1 Gone from him was wa's the h heavy vy humor of at hi his bin half hour with X XI Rosalie Ho Eo was the chi suspicious chief f and brutal I HI must warn you he said paid that if It yon you are implicated in ln in this thUI case Clue anything any any- 2 at thin thing statement t the th-e you EuW trial sa sar i made mad will women 1 bo be uv used lly tremble that against sudden drew drow y you u from r them a flood of words out of which McGee picked eked the tho flotsam and tho the jetsam n of ot evidence But Mrs Hanska Hansa did not give oven even the preliminary nary frightened start dart She only anI tran transferred trans trans- her limpid level Jovel raze craze from flom Bo- Bo R BoBalA BalA salie s f face to Inspector McGeo McGeee Oh Ob Oh of c course she ahe said eaid simply ly PI 1 know enough about law Jaw to understand under under- stand that But the tho little blond bland spoke now for tor the f tInt first time and for tor the tho he first time R n Rosalie turned turned her attention from the tho greater luminary to its satellite She was as a n child o of whimsy find the tho sun sun her lIer face ran to 10 tiny p points uh nur and peaks H her c coloring l J. J 2 of pf light Her lie blue O oyes e were snapping now as ae she exclaimed t Implicated have a bard hard time doing that And she ga gazed ed truculently at Inspector McGee Please don dont don't tr Barbara Betsy Mid said Mrs Hanska with mth no irritation merely mere mere- ly a plain statement of or her desires u Its Ite Its It's this gentleman's duty to warn m me mc e you ron know H Betsy Barbara etc Barbara that's that's a cute name name name-J 1 pet bet et Mrs rr Hauska Hanska ga gave gae e it to her I I said aid the mind of or osalie Lo Le G Grange range I It I It would be bo impossible to im implicate li cats cate me pursue pursued Mrs flans Hanska a. a Dozens De zens of or people can testify that I Iwas Iwas was waa in Arden a hundred milos miles north last Jast night night- that I havo have not left Jett Arden for for- more t than aa a n month mouth Perhaps she continued checking an unformed sentence sen tence tonce on the tho lips of ot Inspector l cG McGee I I had bad better start at nt the b beginning and tell you all about it it She was talking fine fine Inspector McGee McGeo reflected Having got her hor started his best befit course coarse was RS to mollify her until she began to run down always best he said paid 41 So So I think should Mould replied Mr Mrs Hanska but will they use it all at atthe atthe atthe the trial triaU II Not Not necessarily replied In Inspector ector McGee we must mURt judge of that Mrs rs Hanska mused another space And And the nowlIn newspapers newspapers- got fot at said paid McGee McGeer just what you van tell tel them them them-no no more mon Mrs Mn Hanska sighed as though one great teat load at least hB had ha-d lifted from her shoulders And quite simply she he began n her hor talk I married Captain Hanska t ten n A rears cars whoa ago when I was wat 18 IS He was wag nearly 35 t then cn although he said aid that he was younger and he had just come como bR back k krom from rom Alaska Ho He said eaid ai that he got Jot his title in the Bolivian army I have ha since ince had reason reMon to doubt tb that t. t He Ht was 9 1 anen an en engineer ineer by bv profession I I realize now how little mother and 1 I knew about him But he ie was tho kind of or person who i r carried curled 1 everything b before a f ors him him him- who i r carried curled 1 everything b before a f ors him him him- you OU deferred deterred to him hint in tho those days dan in spite of your bettor better judgment An And l my inv I I mother was very ery tru trusting tin Then to too Captain Hanska was us a very ery charming man Afterward he hs changed perhaps changed perhaps I need not say anything more more more- Durin During this statement Betsy Bar ets Bar hara barn Lane had harl been hoen wriggling anti antI and bouncing in ber chair Then then I will will she sho hunt burst out O indignantly nth Tie He hie was dreadful Ho was Has bor horrid i lie was bad and he aJ always lind lm l been had bad AntI And he lie treated her shamefully Even body J knows that Martin McGeo reflecting that be ho was waa making great pro progress ro s to toward ard es establishing es- es a motive mothe to cheek check Betsy But Mr Mra Ir in interposed in- in interposed ael a firm My try dear I ear von vou must not interrupt Then she took up the llio thread with her bor extraordinary com com- po t V Miss Hl mine Lane is il a 3 little inn inaccurate Captain Hanuka Hanika never really maltreated me mc He lie was kind enough Perhaps ho he was wa too kind But YOU von see sec T I fonn found out after a n time how ho bo Ih lived That for mo me was RR the beginning of the end Tit was a fl brilliant man He might night ha have r made marle n a good in H living i in any anyone one ofa of ofa ofa a variety tJ of wa ways way I Rut nut ho simply would not work He Ho preferred to live h by y his hla wits will Cards mainly It way was l long n before T i Tc that Tie lie wan wag very clever elever nt concealment lIn and it R never r OI occurred to me mo to doubt h hm his a word w Tn in fact I did not Dot realize it all JJ I until after our marriage W Wo We wore were in Now York York York-It she he hesitated W. W e. e a again re ain I II Shall Shall I tell telI you vou the details Then I eI mean of |