THE
TANGLED
WEB
By Ethel Walts-Mumford Grant W
f Author ol "Dupci." "While." Etc 5
&x Copyright. 1908, by Beni. B. Himpton
, CHAPTER Vr.
Mrs. Evelyn rang. "These mnlds
are to be questioned further. Yon
will keep them in tho servants' hall
until I give further orders. And
Vreeman," she continued, "when the
detectives come, you are to oiler no
opposition to whatever they may
de6iro to investigate. You, we, are
all under suspicion until the affair
can bo cleared up."
Under escort of tho butler the
hysterical suspects were removed,
and the ladies returned to the draw
ing room. Alice, her hands in her
pockets, stood before the open fire.
"Well," she said dryly, "when
do you wish to go through me, Mrs.
Lawdon? And Mrs. Gaynor, have
you had the X-rays turned on her?
We may have swallowed your jewels,
you know."
Miss Rawlins's angry sarcasm fell
upon unresponsive ears.
"Where's my husband?" Mrs.
Lawdon demanded sharply. "I'm
not going to waste another minute
not one I want the proper authori
ties, that's what I'm after." A curi
ous servant passed the door. "You,
John, go and find Mr. Lawdon. Tell
him I want him hero at once." The
servant disappeared, and Mrs. Law
don turned with ovll triumph upon
Mrs. Evelyn. "Now, I'm going to
take things in hand, and something's
going to happen."
"Rather more than you Imagine,"
said Mrs. Evelyn resignedly. "How
ever, I have nothing more to say.
The loss has been yours, it occurred
In my house. You may act exactly
us you ei.' lit."
"1 hop" you happen to have a
photograph of yourself wearing re
galia." observed Alice. "It will' bo
a great comfort to the reporters. By
the way, Patty? Who do you wish
to take charge of tho interviews?
We w 111 bo In a state of siege by to-
"LOOK! LOOK!" STAMMERED
EVELYN, "IS SHE DEAD?"
morrow, and some one must pay ex
clusive attention to the telephone."
Mr. Lawdon entered hurriedly.
"I'm sorry, my dear, but all the
rooms have been searched, and "
His wife cut him short. "Please
notify the police at once, and have
the best detectives sent down. I
don't want a minute lost."
He shot a deprecatory glance at
his hostess. That lady was as In
different as ever. "You may do as
you please. We can only assure you
of our co-operation. You will have
to notify MIncola, I suppose, and
get your own people from New York.
Not having ever found it necessary
to do such a thing before, I can give
but little advice."
"Save your breath for interviews."
said Alice. "I'm glad I usually look
well In a snapshot."
Mrs. Gaynor rose from the deep
chair where she had dropped on en
tering the drawing-room.
"If Mrs. Lawdon will permit, I
would like to retire, These scenes
have been too much for my strength,
I am afraid. But, of course, if you
object "
"You treat me as if it were I who
had committed a crime," flamed
Mrs. Lawdon. "I'd like to know if
you'd lost a fortune like that, If
you wouldn't insist on something be
ing done? You haven't the right to
to sneer at mo. Of course, you're
not Interested. You didn't lose any
thing. Don't let mo keep you up,
please."
Alice turned affectionately to
Mrs. Gaynor. "Do go to bed you're
done. If you could seo how terribly
you look. It's a shame this thing
should have come up now."
"Do go," added Mrs. Evelyn. "I'll
stay here. With me and Allco as
hostages of good faith. Mrs. Law
don should be satisfied."
Mr. Lawdon presented his arm,
kin kindly face working with con
cern and mortification. "Let mo help
you, Nellie." said noftly. "I'm
that sorry dear me, I'd buy the lit
tle girl her kit twice over if she'd
only eomo to her senses. But she's
too upset. You'll forgive her, won't
you?" he whispered as they reached
the door. "She doesn't mean any
harm, but sho's all upset, and she's
a perfect kid. Nellie, a perfect kid."
"Oh, that's ali right," she smiled
brightly. "We'll all bo adjusted In
tho morning. Good night."
"Good night," he murmured,
"good night. Hope they didn't dis
turb your finery too much in their
search. We fine-tooth-combed the
whole place without respect to age,
sex. or previous condition of servi
tude. Good night again." He with
drew, and Nellie slowly moved to
ward the stairs.
Her hands shook as if palsied as
she reached for the carved newel
post, her knees weakened and she
sank upon the lower step, burying
her face In her hands, too weak to
rise and proceed In tho search for ber
sorely needed rest. After a moment
of complete relaxation, she pulled
herself together, conscious that the
dizziness that numbed her throb
bing brain might at any moment
gain control. She stood for a mo
ment leaning her whole weight on
the balustrade, when a sudden com
motion roused all her dormant en
ergies. Adele's voice rose in hysterical
protest. "Madame! Madame! Oh
Madame!" The maid came down
the corridor, spied her mistress, and
rushed to her as to refuge. Behind
her came Wendham. "Oh, Madame!"
the girl gasped, "what do you think
John John, the second man, said
to me? Oh, ma'am, ho nudged up
to me and said: 'I saw you, my
girl, when you went into that room.
Now, I haven't peached, and you
divide with me.' That's what he
said, ma'am. He accused me, ho
did, and ns God sees me, Mrs. Gay
nor, It Isn't true. I was asleep
there all tho time. I was, I was. Oh,
you don't believe him. ma'am, you
don't oh, say you don't!"
Mrs. Gaynor swayed, clutching at
the banisters. "John says ho saw
you go In?" Her voice was sharp
with something more than surprise.
Wendham caught her by the arm,
and leaning over, gently pushed
back tho woman's arms that sought
to cntch and cling to hor mistress'
knees.
"Don't, my girl quiet, quiet
calm down now. Don't bo
frightened." Ills voice soothed tho
terrified eiature like magic. She
raised her head Iking her tear
ful eyes upon his. Her tension
relaxed suddenly. "John probably
thought you did rob Mrs. Lawdon
and just took a (Iyer to see If you'd
weaken and divide with him If you
had. You must control yourself.
Mrs. Gaynor believes in you, I know
sho does. Re calm now." His eyes
held hers as If fascinated. Slowly
she drooped forward.
"Come, come," Mrs. Gaynor's
voice broke in. "Adelo, what non
sense. You mustn't allow people to
frighten you Uko that. It's just as
the doctor says. Of course, we know
you're innocent. Go back and stay
with the others, since Mrs. Lawdon
wishes it."
The girl rubbed her hand across
her eyes and rose unsteadily.
"Ycs'm," she said. "Please excuse
me, I was all took back."
"Its all right, Adelo." Mrs. Gay
nor's voice had regained its former
gentleness. "Go back, and don't
run away like that again. If any
thing more is said, insist on seeing
me. Good night."
The servant turned and went
slowly away.
"Nellie," said Wendham slowly,
"for Heaven's sake go to your room
before anything more happens! I
cannot bear to see you in this con
dition. It breaks my heart." He
raised her unresisting hand to his
lips. "Come, dear, come."
With his help sho mounted the
easy stairs and crossed the hallway
to her room. At the door she
paused and turned to him.
"I'm not worth your kindness,
really, I'm not. Oh!" she cried pas
sionately, "I wish I were dead, I
wish I were dead! but I haven't the
courage. Good night, and thank
you."
The troubled household was at
last at rest, but Wendham found
sleep Impossible. "Let's sit it out,
Cass," he suggested. Mr. Evelyn
Jumped at the suggestion. "A night
cap and a chat I need soothing."
Settling themselves in casychairs
before the fire, they remained silent,
each deep in thought.
Evelyn spoke suddenly. "I've got
o.ie piece of news for you, Boyd
and I'm sorry It's what it Is!"
Wendham looked up anxiously.
His host recrossed his legs. "I learned
something a little while ago. You
remember when Vreeman called me
to the door? Well, John, tho second
man, wanted to see me; said he had
something to say; excused himself
for not Bpeaking before, but ho hat
ed to peach on a fellow worker
and all that sort of rot. Upshot of
it was, he says he saw Adele, Mrs.
Gaynor's maid, come out of the Law
dons' room when wo were all at din
ner, and beforo Mary camo up to
prepare the rooms. Direct contra
diction of what she says, you see."
Tho scene in the hall when tho
Incensed maid had flown to her be
loved mistress with her story came
clearly beforo Wendham. That tho
girl was truly and frankly resentful
was evident; that sho spoke in all
slmpleness of bou! had been equally
obvious. This story, then, what was
It? Had the man, knowing that his
intended victim had onco told of
the whole oncounter, deemed it saf
er for himself to seek equal public
Uy and stick to tho Rtnrv? it deemed
eo, and yet, might not this bo part
of an ovcrsubtle scheme to divert at
tention from hlmBoIf! Wendham's
reverie lasted so long that Evelyn
was annoyed.
"You don't seem Interested In my
latest information," ho said at
length.
The physician started. "I wonder
I wonder " again he was lost in
thought. "Do you know," he said
suddenly, "I'd question that man
very carefully. Have him hero."
He glanced at the clock. "It's very
late, never mind," he added.
"What's the odds?" said Evelyn.
"Ho and Vreeman are siting up
guarding the suspects, at Mrs, Law
don's request." He rang. "Send
John here," he ordered as the butler
appeared.
CHAPTER VII.
A moment later the valet entered
the room. His face was sullen and
determined.
"Yes, sir, I'm here, sir."
"John," ordered Evelyn, "tell Dr.
Wendham what you told me."
"Yes, sir, certainly, sir. I came
up with the ice-water trays, sir,
about nine, as It might be, and Mrs.
Gaynor's young woman, Adele, sir,
was just leaving Mrs. Lawdon's
room. She crossed ahead of me.
'Good evenin',' says I. She goes
right on as if I wasn't there. 'What's
your grouch?' says I; but she'd gone
down tho corridor."
"How far away were you?" In
quired Wendham.
"Oh, quite the length of the hall,
sir, and the lights were low, only
tho far electroliers being lit, sir.
But I couldn't bo mistaken, no sir."
"Could anyone have impersonated
her walk, do you think?"
The man shook his head emphati
cally. "No? Well, tell mo and your em
ployer here, what did you mean by
going to her nnd telling her you'd
seen her, and that If she'd divide
you'd keep quiet?"
Evelyn, who knew nothing of
these developments, sat up suddenly
with an exclamation of surprise.
The valet reddened, but was evident
ly prepared for tho question.
"I was hopln' to get a confession,
sir," ho answered glibly. "Then I'd
a had the whole thing in mo hand,
and no doubt Mr. Lawdon would
have rewarded you understand,
I'm not graspln', Mr, but I thought
as If detectives and police were com
In' "
"What did she say what did the
woman say?' Interrupted Evelyn
eagerly.
"Up in the air like a colt, sir.
Wouldn't 'have none of it. I'd Insult
ed her, and she'd go to her mistress
an' sho did," he added ruefully.
"Then I came straight to you, sir."
"Wendham. do you hear that?"
Evelyn exclaimed.
"I was there when it happened
or rather, ' when sho ran to Mrs.
Gaynor with the story. She was, as
John says, up in the air."
"What did Nellie say?" Inquired
Evelyn.
Wendham's face clouded. "Mrs.
Gaynor Isn't strong, as I've told you.
This evening hns been terribly hard
on her. I was afraid that this final
complication would prove the last
straw, but she pulled herself up like
a thoroughbred, told Adelo that
she had absolute confidence in her,
and then ordered hor back to remain
under Mrs. Lawdon's supervision."
"What do you make of It?" asked
Evelyn. Wendham hesitated, and
his host read his wishes.
"You may leave us, John. Thank
you. Good night."
The servant bowed and retired.
"I don't know what to think,"
said Wendham, reverting to the last
question; "but this I do believe,
that girl is as Innocent as you are.
She was beside herself with shame
and indignation, and it was genuine.
I'm far more inclined to suspect
John."
It was Evelyn's turn to fall into
a brown study, from which ho
emerged with his friend's words
upon his lips. "I wonder I won
der. That would bo a foxy game,
wouldn't it? But has he the sense?
Supposing this man did see some one,
and that one wasn't Adele? Who
could it he? If a man, then small
and slender enough to dress and
pass for a girl; if a woman, one who
was either in our employ or who
dressed as a maid. It's beyond me.
Suppose the things were stolen by
some one in the house Adelo, let
us say, or John what would they
do with them? No one has left the
place, the robbery was discovered so
soon."
' "Of course," said Wendham,
"they'ro hidden, and, of course, in
a place that would not be likely to
be thought of, at least In any super
ficial search, such as we made to
night. This has been planned,
Heaven knows how long ahead,
and the receptacle chosen. If John
Is the guilty one, I would incline to
the garden an old well, tho cellar.
I once heard of a butler who put
stolen diamonds Into a bottle of port,
corked it, and resealed It, marked
it, and put it with the other bottles.
Unfortunately the very next day tho
master happened to take out that
bottlo from the back row and
there you are. It was mere luck.
We may bo as fortunate. If, on the
contrary, It's Adelo, there's no tell
ing. If that girl is clever enough to
He with such absolute appearance of
truth, Bho's clever enough to out
wit us all, and our only hope Is that
she'll be too clevor and raeot us half
way round tho clrclo again."
"Oh, well, what's tho ubo? Let's
go to bed, old man. I'm down and
out." Evelyn rose, stretched him
self, nnd suppressed a yawi "l.nnk
here comes the dawu. Was evei i ny
thing better than that? Corot is a
back number, as Alice would say."
The great plain far below tho hill
was wrapped in blue night, grading
to purple. A thread of scarlet
touched its uttermost rim, while
above the clouds melted to tones
of opal. Higher yet, tho almost
white sky was limpid as a moon
stone. Tho two men stood by tho
window a moment, then simultane
ously turned away. "Good night
excuse ' me, good day, old man.
Thanks for your help and your pleas
ant company."
"Don't mention it," said Wend
ham. "There's something stewing
at the back of my brain. I think I'll
have an Idea soon. If I do, I'll let
you know. They've not been of much
use so far. Good day."
They sought their rooms. Wend
ham's brain was too active for sleep.
Instead, after a cold plunge, he seat
ed himself, wrapped in a heavy bath
robe, by the window and watched
tho miracle of morning.
Suddenly the inward self, as If
after huge and hidden labor, up
Illed a recollection. Apparently It
was not connected with the case in
mind. It seemed rather, in the ef
fort to reach tho thing desired, the
dlslodgmcnt of another memory from
Its cell.
"Why, of course, Mrs. Wimbleton
was tho woman whom the famous
French specialist had once named as
the most gifted hypnotist of his ac
quaintance." Yes that was the name.
He had not been ablo to place it
no wonder. Who would have con
nected Mrs. Gaynor with a science
as rcmoto from her interests, or with
any one so devoted to It pursuits?
Wimbleton the name on tho en
velope entrusted to his care, had use
lessly haunted him. Tho strange, In
sistent, relentless personality that
dwells in us all, pushed aside
his conventional wondcrlngs and
thoughts. He found himself sud
denly confronted by tho vision
of tho maid as sho clung to
Mrs. Gaynor's knees of tho strange
relaxation of her body, when with
gentle, forceful firmness ho had or
dered her to bo quiet. Ho recalled
tho anxiety of her gaze. Ho had no
thought of compelling her will, other
than his wish to spare tho woman ho
loved a painful scene which might
break down tho slender barrier of
self-control that still protected her
throbbing nerves -no thought but
tins great desiro. With astonIshlnu
readiness the girl had bent to his
suggestion. Ho recalled tho sharp,
almost frightened tone in which Mrs.
Gaynor had mentally seized and
shaken tho prostrate servant, freak
ing the spell his voice and presence
wore closing about her predisposed
personality. She know then sho re
alized what was happening what
might happen! "Am I insane?" ho
said aloud. He thrust back tho tum
ultuous thoughts that lashed and
seared In brain and heart.
Again he was forced to see and to
fit another piece into tho puzzle.
Mrs. Gaynor had spent nearly a year
abroad In Paris, threo years ago,
whllo he was following his medico
psychical research in Vienna. So
much Calvin Mortimer had told
him. That was the time when Mrs.
Wimbleton had studied with Beril
llan. They must have known each
other there. It was fair to suppose
"WE CAN CUT WORDS FROM A
NEWSPAPER."
then that Mrs. Gaynor was familiar
with a subject so successfully, if
erratically, followed by her friend.
This girl, this Adele, had accepted
her mistress' fallen fortunes and ac
companied her.
"This is sheer nonsense," he ex
claimed, "sheer nonsense! There
wasn't evidence enough to cast even
a suspicion. Tho whole thing was
natural. It was the peculiar mani
festation of extraordinary conditions
nothing more. It is my own state
of mind that is disordered. For
God's sake, man, be sane! Walk off
this madness!"
Dressing himself hastily in his
tramping tweeds, ho traversed the
silent house, and selected a heavy
black thorn stick from the hall rack.
At the door a pallid, red-eyed ser
vant barred his way.
"Pardon," ho murmured respect
fully. "Mr. Evelyn requests no one
to leave the house."
Wendham sighed. "Right, Alfred;
I hadn't thought of that."
"Besides " tho man opened the
door slightly, giving a glimpse of
lawn, drive, and distant spangled
hills; In the foreground a young man
In puttees and heavy traveling
homespuns, was busily taking photo
graphs, "That's tho first of 'em,
Blr," said the servant grimly, "and I
know whnt P Is. s!r. T wnp v.-!
Mr lOlwell-KtuH' when Muster l!"i
,11 UMU 111)1."
Wendham reddened angrily.
"Have htm sent off at onco, tho beg
gar!" "What's tho use?" said tho ser
vant, wisely resigned.
(To Do continued.)
APPABSTOSJ SHOW SEX
Experiments with Sexophone Soem to
Bear Out the Claims of
Its Inventor.
London. How to determine sex be
fore birth has long puzzled scientists
especially tho sex of a bird while
still In tho egg. An Englishman has
Invented an apparatus which, it is
Bald, will do this. He calls tho ap
paratus tho sexophone, and declares
that with Its aid he can determine the
eex of any living creature.
Recently some experiments wero
tried with the sexophone at the home
of W. T. Stead, the well-known pub
licist. Tho Inventor had stated in
describing the apparatus that If it
were held over a male the pendulum
would gyrate In circles that grow wid
er and wider, while If it were held
over a female the pendulum would
swing backward and forward.
The sexophone was shown to be a
pendulum of copper wlro and a plcco
of highly magnetized steel, ending In
a pith ball. It was held above tho
subject by means of a wooden handle
with a copper core.
Various tests were made at Mr.
Stead's house not only with human
beings, but with eggs, a rabbit, a
hedgehog, a guinea pig, and a pigeon,
and in every catfe the instrument re
sponded according to the sex of the
subject as the Inventor said It would.
Besides Mr. Stead, among those who
watched tho proceedings were Major
Gen. Sir Alfred Turner. The former
expressed himself much interested
nnd said that he intended to go furth
er into the subject.
ELIZABETH GURLEY FLYNN,
THE "SOCIALIST JOAN OF ARC
Three years ago Elizabeth Gurley j
Flynn, a girl then fifteen years old, i
was heralded In New York as "a new
Joan of Arc." She made Impassioned
speeches from public platforms In the
Interest of socialism. Afterward she
spoke In other cities. Although a
radical and fiery speaker, she was per
sonally quiet, modest and simple In
her every-day life.
Last January she married, though
she still holds her maiden name, and
for a year she and her miner husband,
John Archibald Jones, have been In
Chicago doing propaganda work there
for the Industrial Workers of the
World.
oooooooooooooooooooooooooo
PEUf MAM UMJIl Q
i-ii uunuu umiu
CONVICTIONS SHOWN
New York City. The Black
nanu s recora or muraer ana a i
O extortion during the past four- Q
0 teen months, as known to tho o ,
police of Now York City and O
adjacent towns, is little less o
O than amazing. j ,
O From Bingham's annual re- o 1
g port, Jan. 1, 1909:
O Black Hand Cases.
O Cases reported 424
O Arrests 215
ft Convictions 36
0 Discharges 156
O Cases Pending 22
Q Yearn nf sentences. Fi4 vpnrs. '2
months 5 days.
From Bingham's annual re
port, Jan. 1, 1909:
Bomb Explosions.
Cases reported 44
Arrests 70
Pfinvlntlnra O
i MUUIIUWUWI f
O Discharges 58
Cases Pending 3
Years of sentences, 5 years 6
months 10 days.
COOOOOOOOOOOOOCOOOOOCOOOCC
Don't Snub Children.
Children love to be treated with
courtesy and respect They resent
havlne their opinions and sentiments
snubbed, and parents might learn a
good deal from them and about them
If they would encourage them to talk
more freely of all they think and
feel. We are hardened by tho gather
tag years, and we have lost our keen
est sense of what is the very truest
and the very beat. The contact of a
1 child's mind with Its pure vwtoti i
1 Mke a message straight from limi
HOMB DRESSMAKING
By ChcrlotU Martin.
EMPIRE DRE8SINQ 8ACQUE.
Pattern No. 409. This attractive
dressing sacque is in two pieces and
easily made. The seam in the back
gives an empire effect but may be
Btltched down to the actual waist Una
If preferred. In the above picture It
Is made of dotted lawn but may bo
made of any material.
Cut in 6 sizes, 32 to 42 bust meas
ure. Size 36 requires 3 yds. of 36 inch
material.
LADIES' SHIRTWAIST.
. Pattern No. 439. This is one of tho
new models with a yoke in the back.
It makes a charming waist made up
plain like the picture or can be varied
easily by stitching tucks in the back
and front before cutting.
Cut in 5 sizes, 32 to 40 bust meas
ure. Size 36 requires 3 1-2 yds. of 27
inch material.
PRETTY SCHOOL DRESS.
Pattern No. 436. Blue and white
striped goods was used to make this
dress. With the belt and bands of
plain blue, a little darker In color, It
makes a frock that will be very use
ful. The skirt and waist are both
sewed to the belt and closed in the
back.
Cat In 3 sizes, 12, 14 and 16 yrs.
Size 16 requires 6 yds. of 27 Inch ma
terial. HOW TO ORDER PATTERNS.
Send ten cents for each pattern de
sired to Charlotte Martin, 402 W. 23d
Street, New York. Give No. of pat.
torn and size wanted.