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Show fe't CAROLYN WELLS S a-- ' rCXiVVr,Hl by QPQIYN WfLlS W.N.U. SERVICE CHAPTER VI I Continued 12 "All right. Inn don't hold me so cl'i.Ncly. I cun't tin-iithe!" "I can't 1 1 1 1 It. Just to have you ni'iir me iiml now, to hold yon In my arms oh, I'erilla, do give nie u grain of hope! Do sny that a f t!r a long time after a year, you'll let me tell you " "Stop It, r.oli. If you talk like that I won't let you talk to me at till, until after a year. Now, behave be-have yourself. Take that look off your face mid Just grin now, a gayer gay-er grin there, that's better. Now, take me over there by Rosy." Boh managed to control himself and even the grin In the way ordered, or-dered, and duly deposited Perllla by the side of her hostess. "I've been having a session with your very nice husband," she snlil to Itosy, "and as I'm not sure I remembered my manners you tell him I thank him lots for his good advice. He's a dear, and so are you. To let a wild horde to descend on you and utilize your home why, It's unprecedented." "My, what a big word ! I'd do anything to he unprecedented I" "Well, you're It. Now, I think soon we must be going upstairs. Sure you have room for us all?" "Nonsense! I've loads of room. This place was built primarily as a guest house. Want to start now? Do plan to stop on your return trip. Hay, you look after the men." CHAPTER VIII AI'.OUT the time that members of I'erlllu's motor party turued out the lights for the night at Scottstown, Ohio, Fleming Stone and Tony Gaskell were waiting In New York city In the Grnnd Central Cen-tral station. Waiting to welcome unwelcome visitors, and looking none too pleased about It, either. That afternoon Tony had received re-ceived a telegram that Madame Maiden and the lawyer, Farman, would arrive at midnight, and that she would expect to be entertained by Mrs. Corey Maiden, while the lawyer would put up at a hotel. Mrs. Corey Maiden being away from home, Tony asked the Lovells . If they would receive Madame Maiden, Mai-den, but at this Ellen Lovell rebelled. re-belled. "Take Into my house that viper that slandered my daughter!" she exclaimed; "I should say not! Take her where you choose, Tony, ship her back to Richmond or send her to a lunatic asylum, but my doors shall never open to admit her I" There had not been time to acquaint ac-quaint the would-be visitor with this change necessitated in heT plans, so the men had to meet her with the news when the southern train came In. It was late and they sat In taciturn taci-turn silence until the passengers appeared In the station waiting room. Tony went forward to greet Madanie Maiden and found she had brought with her a maid and a nurse, besides the pompous and self-important lawyer. Stone was introduced. He informed in-formed them that Mrs. Corey Maiden Mai-den was away on a long motor trip, from which she would not return for several' weeks. Madame Mal- den was extremely angry, and ranted rant-ed and raved over Perilla's heart-lessness heart-lessness in going on a pleasure trip so soon after the death of her husband. "She had to go," Stone declared, "the doctor ordered her to seek some diversion, lest she be driven insane by your dreadful statements and insinuations. I am glad she is away, for she might feel It her duty to have you at her home." "Hoity-toity, Mr. Man," she said, peering Into his face with sharp, angry eyes. "Who are you who has so much to say?" ''I am engaged by Mrs. Maiden to look after her Interests. Now, if you will select a hotel, I will send you there, and tomorrow morning I will meet Mr. Farman and have a conference." "Send me there, Indeed I I am not accustomed to being sent to places. As you are looking after Perilla's affairs, you will take me there, and see that I am comfortably comfort-ably taken care of. Stone decided he wanted to go with her anyway, and piloted bis charges to the New Knickerbocker. Farman took rooms there, too, and Stone invited them to have a little supper with him. Under the influence of a little stimulant and with some delicate dishes Madame Maiden seoiued to warm toward the dte five and soon was chatting pleasantly with him. He found out several things he wanted to know. "Since my daughtcr-ln-law is not at home," she said, "tomorrow I shall go to stay with Mrs. Lovell. She, of course, takes Perilla's place." With an unmoved countenance Tony listened to hear how Stone would get out of this awkward moment. mo-ment. Hut Stone merely said, carelessly care-lessly : "No, Mrs. Lovell cannot have you. In fact, she does not want you. She deeply resents your attitude toward Perllla and she doesn't care to entertain en-tertain you. You will pardon my speaking so plainly, but If you are staying In New York I think It better bet-ter that we understand each other." "You certainly make yourself easy to understand," said the old lady, dryly. "Naturally, I am no more interested in-terested In Mrs. Lovell than she is In me, but for family reasons we must be civil." "What are your plans, as to legal proceedings?" asked Tony, who could repress his curiosity no longer. "I think we must let such questions ques-tions wait over until tomorrow," said Farman, not unreasonably. "Madame Is weary, and we are all tired from a long train ride." Stone agreed to this, and after making an nppolntment to meet, he and Tony said good night and went home. Tony was staying at a hotel, declining to make use of Stone's hospitality any longer, though Stone had never failed In cordiality. Stone was awakened the next morning by the entrance of his man, bringing a telegram. His heart grew chill as he read It: "Bob Coles died during the night. Mysterious conditions. Come at once or as soon as possible. Use own judgment about letting Lovells know. Perhaps she will go to see Mrs. Coles. Perllla well, but everybody every-body shocked beyond words. No plans till you come. Hurry. "Garth." Stone telephoned an order for an airplane, had a light breakfast and, hastening to the aerodrome, was soon on his sky trip to Scottstown. If Corey Maiden's death was strange and mysterious, Bob Coles' taking off was even more so. Everybody at Rosecroft had gathered gath-ered for an early breakfast with one exception. Bob's place was vacant, and after a time Rosy sent the waitress up to knock on his third-floor third-floor door. But the maid returned, saying she had no answer. "Buckle is In the hall; send him up," said Perllla. Buckle returned In a few moments, mo-ments, saying, "I got no answer, and no sound from the room at all. The door Is locked on the inside." "I'll go," said Hay, rising from his place. "Come on, Buckle." The two went upstairs together and Hay banged on the door. There was no result, and Hay began be-gan to look anxious. "Shall we break down the door?" he said, doubtfully. "How about a window, Mr. Field? Or Is there any other door?" "No other door, and I doubt If you can get in by a window. They all have patent fastenings that can be regulated at any width of opening, open-ing, but they can't be manipulated from the outside." Buckle suggested a ladder and breaking a window, Instead of smashing the door. He found Mike, the Fields chauffeur, who said there was no ladder long enough." "And those doors lock on the Inside," In-side," went on Mike, "and we can't get at them from the hall. Not a key, you know, a snap lock that turns on the Inside." "All right, then," said Buckle, "we'd better go back and report to Mr. Field." "All right," said Hay. "Can't you cut out the whole lock, Mike?" "Yes, sir. Til get some tools." Mike made short work of his Job. When the door swung open they saw a dark, tousled head on the pillow, with the bedclothlng drawn close up round the neck. Buckle stepped to the bed and said loudly, "Come, Mr. Coles, you'll be late." There was no reply, and Buckle, going closer, laid a hand on Bob's forehead. He looked at Field's significantly. sig-nificantly. Hay went to the bed, and, pulling down the blanket looked at the still form and felt for the heart and pulse. "The boy Is dead," he said, turning turn-ing back to Buckle. "What does It mean 1 He was locked In here alone " "Then he wasn't murdered, if that's what you're thinking. And uobody could get through those windows." win-dows." The windows, there ..ere two, were each open about six inches at the top. admitting air, yet giving no possibility for the entrance of a hu man being. And they were Immov-ble, Immov-ble, owing to the ellicacy of the patent pa-tent fastenings. "Don't touch anything," said the capable Buckle. "Maybe it's all right, and maybe It isn't. No doubt Mrs. Maiden will take her party right back home. I'd better go and report this to her. Lord, what an awful thing!" "But, Buckle, it can't be foul play, you know " i "No, Mr. Field, we don't know that. But the people downstairs must be told at once. Mr. Garth will know just what to do; he's a lawyer, and he's a wise one. Poor young fellow; Mr. Coles was a nice chap." "Yes, I liked him. We can't lock this door, Mike, so you'll have to stand by and keep guard. You'll be relieved as soon as the police get here." "Why the police?" queried Buckle. "But we ought to call a doctor at once." "You're right," said Hay. "Will you look after It?" Buckle went Into the dining room, and going straight to Perilla, said, "I have to tell you, Madame, that Mr. Coles passed away in his sleep." "What?" "Yes, we found him dead In his bed. I am at your orders, but I think the first necessity Is to call a doctor." "Wait, Buckle. You're sure he Is dead?" "Yes, Mrs. Maiden, I am sure." "Then a few moments' delay can do no harm. Send a telegram, first of all, to Mr. Stone, asking him to come as soon as he can. Walt, I iJMikrv "It's a Queer Thing," He Said. will write It." Perllla scribbled her message. "There, get that off, and then call a doctor. Or will you do that. Rosy?" "I'll do it," said Hilda, and Jumped up and went to the telephone. tele-phone. "Don't say much," advised Perilla. Per-illa. "Just ask him to come immediately, imme-diately, as the case is urgent." When Hilda returned all listened while Buckle told all there was to tell. "Heart trouble, I suppose," said Malcolm. "They say every other person has It" But Perllla shook her head. She knew how free from heart trouble Corey was, and how he slipped away from her. And now Bob I She could scarcely believe it. Though intensely intense-ly sorry for him, and for his mother, moth-er, too, there was not the poignant grief of Corey's death, and Perilla felt strong to cope with this new tragedy. Hilda said Doctoi Crane would be over at once. Perilla had been silent, and it was evident from what she next said that she considered it important "I want to ask," Perilla said, "that whatever the doctor may say, we do not call the police in until after Mr. Stone gets here. As you doubtless know, he is the most celebrated cel-ebrated detective in America. I want him to investigate Bob's death, whether it is a natural death or a suicide or a murder. Doctor Crane will give him his opinion, of course, but if, except for him, we can keep the room untouched, It will be of immense assistance to Mr. Stone. I'm not knocking your police force, Hay, but since Mr. Stone is at present employed by me I feel justified in asking this favor for him." -"Oh, that's all right Perilla," Field returned. "Our force Is nothing noth-ing to brag of. A sheriff, and whatever goes along with that Our big cases are taken care of in Columbus." "That's all very well, but I'm sure we must get back to New York, and have the matter investigated investi-gated at that end." "You're turning back, then, ma-dame," ma-dame," asked Buckle. "Oh, yes, we must," said Perilla, quickly. "I'm sorry, Rosy, but we shall probably have to stay here another night, and then go back home." "Oh, Perilla dear, the nouse is yours for as long as we can be of service to you. Here's the doctor." Doctor Crane, verging on the elderly, el-derly, said he would go upstairs at i once to see the body. But first he asked a fe random questions .it the crowd, now gathered In the lounge. "How old was the young man?" he asked. "Between twenty-three and twenty-four," answered Perilla. ''Have you known him long?" "No, but lie was my brother's friend, and often was at the house." "Did he seem to you like one who would commit suicide?" "Good heavens, no! The last one I should suspect! Bob was too fond of life." After Field left with the medical medi-cal man Perilla said to Garth, "What do you think, Roger?" "Not enough data to work on yet." Garth returned. "It seems like a natural nat-ural death. I hope It will prove to be something of that sort; we don't want any more tragic deaths. I hope we can keep the way clear for Fleming Stone. He ought to get here about noon or soon after." "But if Doctor Crane orders us to have the police In at once, we must do It." They waited mostly in silence for the doctor. When he came down his face 'was very grave. "It's a queer thing," he said, "but I find r.o sign of any heart weakness, weak-ness, yet there is no sign of anything any-thing else. There was actually nothing noth-ing the matter with that lad; he was sound from head to foot." "Well, then?" Malcolm spoke a little sharply. "Then I don't know what to say. It is too much for me. I'm no detective de-tective and If I were I doubt if I could solve this puzzle." "Even considering outside possibilities," possi-bilities," said Field, "he couldn't have been shot. There is no weapon of any sort in the room." "Then," said Garth, "it Is one of these 'locked room' problems so frequent fre-quent in the detective stories." "It's all of that," said Hay, "and then some. I wonder what Mr. Stone will make of It. You see, Bob went upstairs with the rest of us. I showed him to his room myself, showed him how to work the windows win-dows they're a trifle complicated showed him the snap lock and the key lock, and then I left him. "We have to agree with Doctor Crane that it must have been a natural nat-ural death, brought about by an unsuspected un-suspected weakness of the heart He died alone, and, presumably, while asleep. What else could It be but heart failure? He certainly had no enemies here, and no one could get in at tfiese windows, either of them, nor could he get out again. A long ladder would have been needed and even then a man could not get through those narrow openings." "Exactly five Inches, sir," said the meticulous Buckle. "Well, Doctor Crane, what do you say? May we wait a while for Fleming Stone, or must we call the police at once?' "Well, it's this way, Mr. Field." The old man shook his head slowly. "I've been coroner here a long time. I've never gone back on my duty yet, and I guess I can't begin now. But I tell you there won't be such a lot of time, after all. It's getting on to ten or eleven o'clock now, and while the sheriff may mosey along sooner, the police from Columbus won't arrive before late afternoon or so. Mebbe your Mr. Stone will even get here first. See what I mean? I'll call 'em, and they'll come when they get ready, and they don't work so everlastin' fast, anyhow." "That's all right, doctor," said Perilla, catching on to the fact that the old man had no Intention of hustling the strong arm of the law. The day was a strange one. Twice they had word from Stone and his plane that he would arrive probably about four or five in the afternoon. Early In the afternoon the sheriff, John Gillmore, came. Field took him in charge, and after showing him the body and giving him the main facts, said, "Do you know, I think it would be better all around to shut -up that room until Fleming Stone, the famous detective, gets here. You know, he's going to help usT Then you and he start on your work together." "I agree," and Sheriff Gillmore beamed. "I'd likta see him work. That Is, if the police don't get here first. If they do I'll string along with them." Hay nodded and left Gillmore to his own devices. Shortly after, Stone came, and at once took possession of Bob's room. "One o' them locked room puzzles, puz-zles, hey, Mr. Stone?" and Gillmore almost chuckled at the thought of what a treat this would be to the detective. "Yes, sheriff," said Stone. "What's your opinion?" "Suicide, sir, nothln' but suicide. Why, It couldn't be anything else. Could it, now?" "Weil, that we'll have to puzzle out I wonder if I could be here all alone for a little. Leave me to myself, my-self, will you? I won't be long. Oh, by the way, is Doctor Crane still here? Good, send him up. And say, sheriff, like a good chap, keep everybody every-body else downstairs, won't you? Except young Fairfax send him up here." (TO BE CONTINUED) |