Adventure, June 1911 — page 166: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

352 “What was Major Temple doing?” “T—I did not notice. I think he began to examine the things in Mr. Ashton’s port- manteau.” “Then, Mr. Morgan, if, occupied as you were, you did not notice Major Temple’s - movements, I fail to see how you can swear as to the window at the time you entered the room.” “Your suggestion is impossible, Sergeant McQuade. Had Major Temple bolted the window I should certainly have noticed it.” The Sergeant smiled slightly. CHAPTER V A WOMAN IN THE NET | WE DESCENDED tothe library, where Major Temple sat waiting. ‘Well, Mr. Morgan?” he inquired excitedly. ““Mr. McQuade can perhaps tell you,” I replied. “T can tell you more, Major Temple,” said the detective gravely, “if you will first let me have a few words with Miss Temple.” ‘““With my daughter?” exclaimed the Major, evidently much surprised. “Yes. And if you do not mind, Major Temple, I should much prefer to have you send one of the servants for her. I have a particular reason for desiring you to re- main here.” I thought at first that Major Temple was going to resent this, but although he flushed hotly, he strode to a call-bell and pressed it, then: “T think you would do better to question Li Min.” “T do not intend to omit doing that,” re- plied McQuade. We remained in uneasy silence until the maid returned with Miss Temple who, dis- missing her at the door, faced us with a look upon her face of unfeigned surprise, pale and greatly agitated. I felt that she had not slept, and the dark circles under her eyes confirmed my belief. ‘You sent for me, father?’ she inquired nervously. “Sergeant McQuade here”’—he indicated the detective whom Miss Temple recognized by a slight inclination of her head—“‘ wishes ' to ask you a few questions.” “Mee” Her voice had in it a note of alarm which was not lost upon the man from. Scotland Yard. “{ think you may be able to clear up a Adventure few points that at present I can not quite understand.”’ “T’m afraid I can not help you much,” she said gravely. “Possibly more than you think, miss. [ understand your father had promised your hand in marriage to Mr. Ashton.” Miss Temple favored me with a quick and bitter glance. I knew that she felt this in- formation had come from me. “Yes?” Shereplied. ‘That is true.”’ ‘Did you desire to marry him?” The girl looked at her father in evident uncertainty. “T—I—Why should I answer such a ques- tion?” She turned to the detective with scornful eyes. “It is purely my own affair, and of no consequence—now.’ “That is true, miss,” replied the Sergeant, with deeper gravity. “Still, I do not see that the truth can do any one any harm.” Miss Temple flushed and hesitated a mo- ment, then: ‘‘I would rather have died than have married him!’ McQuade had made her lose her temper, for which I inwardly hated him. His next question left her cold with fear. ‘When did you last see Mr. - Ashton alive?”? he demanded. The girl hesitated, turned suddenly pale, then threw back her head with a look of proud determination. ‘TI refuse to answer that question!” she said defiantly. Her father had been regarding her with amazed surprise. ‘“‘Muriel,” he said in a trembling voice, “what do you mean? You left Mr. Ashton and myself in the din- ing-room at a little after nine.” . She made no reply. Sergeant McQuade slowly took from his pocket the handkerchief he had found in Mr. Ashton’sroom. ‘‘Is this yours, miss?” Miss Temple took it, mechanically. “Yes,” she said. “Tt was found beside the iurdeted man’s body,” said the detective. For a moment I thought Miss Temple was going to faint, and I instinctively moved toward her. She recovered herself at once. ‘Is it possible you suppose J had anything to do with Mr. Ashton’s death?’”’ “‘T have not said so, miss. This handker- ~ chief was found in Mr. Ashton’s room, It is possible that he had it himself, as a souve- nir of some former meeting, although i in that case it would hardly have retained this strong scent of perfume. But you might COmiclbooks (C@