Marion Marlowe's Cleverness, or, Exposing a Bold Fraud — page 13: what you’re looking at

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MY QUEEN. 11. in his room, and the plate and the jewels were all in the safe. Gregg looks after that, and she showed them to me this morning. Not an article missing. It is very mysterious!” “It is, indeed!” said Marion, slowly. “Did uncle leave a will, do you know, Aunt Su- san?” Only a very quick eye could have discov- ered a change in the young man’s face at her question. , A flash of light showed in his inky Gis ie eyes, but he passed his hand over his face and it was gone in an instant. “Dear me, no!” said her aunt. “Frederic was opposed to wills. He intended: that I should have all, and, indeed, there is no one else to share it.” There was a silence for a second, then Mar- ion spoke again. This time her question was addressed to Arthur Stanton. \ “But there must be a motive,” she said, al- miost sternly. ““Have you no theory at all in the matter, Mr. Stanton ?” Without a moment’s hesitation the man an- swered: “T believe there was a motive, and I think I know it,” he said, slowly ; “but as my theory cannot be backed up by an atom of proof, I consider it only right that I should keep it a secret.” “Perhaps you are right,” sently. Once more she was thinking of How- ard Everett’s warning. CHAPTER VI. YOUNG STANTON’S INFORMATION. 2 “Mr. Everett to see you, madam,” said she answered, ab- the chance Marion wanted, for she was cufi- ous to know more of Arthur Stanton’s theory. “Do tell me your idea,” she said, the min- ute her aunt had gone. “Somehow I can’t help thinking that you must be right. You seem to me to be a person with wonderfully keen perceptions.” “Thanks,” said the young man, gravely, “but I am nothing of the sort. Still we must be allies—you and I—and we must strive to solve this riddle together. It is right that some one should fathom the mystery of Un- cle Frederic’s death, and you can see for yourself that aunt will never do it.’ “TI see that she is shallow and almost heart- less,” said Marion, bitterly. “Not a bit like her sister, my own dear mother.” “Tt was uncle’s influence, I guess,’’ said the young fellow, musingly. “I have discovered, Miss Marlowe, that he was a man who made enemies. Further, | have discovered that in spite of his wealth he was a man who owed money.” “Ah! I was sure you knew more than any one else,’ said Marion, quickly; ‘‘but, tell me, did they have a coroner’s inquest this morn- ing, and are there any detectives at work to ‘ discover the murderer ?”’ The young man nodded his head to both her questions. He was evidently endeavoring to be as non-committal as possible. “Uncle was killed by some one unknown to the jury,” he repeated, parrot-like, in his mu- sical voice; “and that would probably be all that would ever be known about it if the pro- prietor of The Norwood and the chief of po- lice had not put their heads together. You see, the police are full of theories,” he added, smiling, “and, do you know, they say already that they know the assassin.” . oo Mrs. Gregg just at that instant. She had ¥ opened the door so softly that no one had y heard her. “Oh, I must see him,” cried Mrs. Stanton ___as she rose from her chair. “You see, he is __ from a newspaper,” she explained to Marion “but for all that, I find he is well connected, and the very best people know him. Then again, Frederic and he were getting to be ‘ Sood friends—their windows are opposite— there was only a balcony between them.” She left the room at once, and her niece and nephew were alone together. It was Marion caught her breath and her cheeks paled slightly. “But how can they know?” she asked, very wisely. “Why, if you and aunt and Gregg don't know, how is it possible for those out- side to be so positive ?”’ There was just a little indignation mixed with her wonder now. It seemed to her that there were signs of the police having jumped at conclusions. Before he answered her question, Arthur Stanton rose and quietly opened the two doors ECOMMICOOOKS.€©