Argosy All-Story Weekly, Vol. 123, No. 4 — page 40: what you’re looking at

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546 “It is possible; I’m sure I don’t know.” There was a touch of hauteur in her tone. CHAPTER VIII. ‘““ IR. DOUGLAS WAVERLEY, SIR.” “Ww WAS only wondering whether he | recognized her voice or whether the woman told him who she was,” Mc- Carty explained mildly. ‘“ Do you know a Mr. Cutter?”’ The slender, white hands resting on the arms of her chair gripped tensely at the sudden question, but she replied without hesitation or surprise. “Nicholas Cutter? Certainly. onc of our closest friends.” “ And the O’Rourkes, and Fords, and the lady named Culp or Kip?” McCarty per- sisted. ‘ Will you give me their full names . and addresses, please? Are they all in the same’ set?”’ . “ They are all in my immediate circle of friends, if that.is what you mean.” As if suddenly conscious of those betraying hands she lifted them and let them fall idly into her lap. “ Of course, Mr. Creveling had many casual friends of whom I know noth- ing, clubmen and business associates, but those you mention have been our social intimates for years. Mr. and Mrs. Lonsdale Ford live at the St. Maur Apartments on Madison Avenue; Mrs. Baillie Kip, if that is whom you mean, has a house on East Sixty-Third Street, and Mr. and Mrs. John Cavanaugh O’Rourke have taken the Hart- ington residence a few blocks above us, on the avenue here. The Waverleys’ town house is two blocks south.” McCarty had scarcely heard the last sen- tence. His face flushed, and with shining eyes he repeated: “John Cavanaugh O’Rourke! Would you know, Mrs. Creveling, if he came from the old country, frem near Dublin?” ‘““Yes. He and his wife both came from there about six years ago. She was Lady Margaret Sinclair.”” The even voice re- sponded without show of interest, almost automatically. “Little Lady Peggy!” McCarty mur- mured softly to himself. ‘‘ She and the son He is ee, a~— + a- ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. of ‘the’ O’Rourke! To think of it! years do be sliding along fast!” He was apparently absorbed, although the light in his eyes had suddenly misted In jotting down the addresses on the back "of an envelope, and as he replaced it in his pocket he looked up with a return of his deferential yet businesslike air. “Your housekeeper has gone back to Scotland, I understand. Did she leave all the keys of the house with you, ma’am? Did the servants who were dismissed. turn . theirs m?” ‘I suppose so. At least, Mrs. Jarvie gave me a small box filled with keys all labeled. I can show them to you later.” Mrs. Creveling rose as her uncle reentered from the study, accompanied by the in- spector. “ Did you reach Mr. Terhune, Uncle George? Will he undertake the case for me?” “He will be here as soon as his-car can bring him,” Mr. Alexander replied. “I fancy my call got him out of his bed, how- ever, for it isn’t quite eight o’clock yet, and it will take him a short time at least to dress. time to your rooms and compose yourself for your interview with him, I am sure that Inspector Druet will have no objection. We must not put too great a strain upon you after this fearful shock.” | | “There is just one more question I should like to ask Mrs. Creveling now.” The in- #pector stepped forward hastily. “ Had your husband any cause to fear for his life? To your knowledge had he any enemies, Mrs. Creveling?” McCarty did not hear the lady’s reply. The tail of his eye, which had never left the valet’s spare, black-clad form, caught him slinking toward a door on the other side of the staircase, and as the man dis- appeared within it he was close upon the other’s heels. Hill moved swiftly with his accustomed noiseless tread, and so intent upon his errand was he that he did not hear the careful but heavier steps behind him. The door led into a rear hallway, and the two proceeded beyond the back stairs _ and around a turning past the pantries and kitchen toward the tradesmen’s entrance. A tall, angular, middle-aged woman was The If you wish to retire in the mean . DOOKS