December 1931
T h e K i n g ’ s
548
B u s i n e s s
“I am a detective,” he said, “and I should like to handle this matter in my own way. Would it be possible for me to ask a few questions of this girl without your preparing her in any way? It might be a kindness to her and save you further trouble.” “I suppose it could be arranged,” Mr. Wolfe answered. When Marian came into the room a few minutes later, she looked so refined and lovely that the man was plainly embarrassed as he proceeded to question her. Suddenly he dropped his suave manner, and his voice became stern and his eyes penetrating. “Will you tell me, please, just what is your name ?” For only an instant she hesitated. “Marian Linton,” she answered quietly. Mrs. Hepburn gasped audibly, and after a moment the detective continued, “Will you tell me, then, why you went by the name of Lilli Bell ?” “Lillibell is my middle name,” she replied. “I don’t believe it,” blurted out Mrs. Hepburn, whose whole case seemed suddenly to have collapsed like a toy balloon. The detective frowned impatiently. “It doesn’t mat ter what you believe, madam. It is the facts that count.” He turned to Mrs. Wolfe. “Did you know this young woman’s name was Marian Linton ?” “I did,” Mrs. Wolfe replied. “And did you know that here, in Farside Heights, it was supposed that her name was Lilli Bell ?” “Both names belong to the girl; we chose to call her by part of one. Is there anything wrong with that?” “No,” he answer slowly, “but it isn’t always wise.” He asked to see the room. “Was the window standing open like this the morning you were here ?” he asked Mrs. Rabinock. “As I recall it, it was.” “No screen in it?” he asked again. “No, we have not our screens in so early in the spring,” Mrs. Wolfe answered. He made a few more inquiries and then left, saying that, until Mrs. Rabinock decided what she wished in the matter, there was nothing more to be done. Although the Wolfes were very positive in maintaining their belief in her innocence, Marian was greatly troubled by the incident. She thought of the possibility of being arrested, and of the trouble and publicity and disgrace to her friends. That it was accentuated by her living under two different names, she could not but see. Perhaps God was punishing her for her foolish pride. It was then that a letter came from Counsin Rhetta, begging her to come to the little home awaiting her there. And with much regret, she took leave of her friends and journeyed to where her cousin lived, in an old-fashioned suburb, close to a beautiful little college town. She was fortunate enough to find a position as stenog rapher almost at once, and happily entered into what seemed a new chapter in her life. She began to enjoy great ly the little village church where her cousin attended. The pastor was a strong man in middle life, an earnest student of the Word, and a faithful and powerful preacher. His church membership was small, but the congregation was in creased by groups of students from the college. Marian found herself quickly introduced to the work of the Young [Continued on page 551]
“I think we ought to tell Mrs. Wolfe first,” Mrs. Rab- inock protested. Late that afternoon the doorbell rang at the Wolfe’s home, and Marian went to the door. She could hardly con ceal the start of surprise when she saw their guest of the morning in company with Mrs. Hepburn. Was it only her fancy, she wondered, or were those cold, indignant, suspi cious glances directed menacingly toward her ? With a deep apology for having to trouble her, Mrs. Rabinock told Mrs. Wolfe about the necklace. She en deavored to make light of the matter, though admitting the value of the lost trinket. “Are you sure you were still wearing it when you re turned to the house last night ?” “Yes, I am very certain of it. I could not possibly have retired without noticing if I had not removed it as usual.” “What do you think became of it, Mrs. Rabinock?” Mrs. Rabinock hesitated, looked at Mrs. Hepburn as though to gain courage, and then said very quietly, “I met your maid in the hall, Mrs. Wolfe, just outside my door, as I went for my bath. Could she possibly have—have taken it?” “No,” Mrs. Wolfe answered coldly. “Mrs. Wolfe,” Mrs. Hepburn interrupted, no longer able to keep silence, “you must admit that your maid is a very unusual sort of person, with an air of—you might say r—mystery about her. Is it not possible that she may not be at all the person you take her to be ? I must say that I have reasons for believing that the suspicion for this theft must be laid upon that girl.” “You will please be so kind as to leave this matter be tween Mrs. Rabinock and ourselves, Mrs. Hepburn.” Her voice was icy, and she turned to the other woman,/‘Would you mind waiting until I have an opportunity to see my hus band when he comes home this evening ?” The two women soon took their departure, and before they were out of sight of the house, Mrs. Hepburn burst out angrily, “You can easily see the little vixen has that woman completely duped. And, Sue Rabinock, this mat ter goes into the hands of the law before another twenty- four hours. I know a lawyer, a good friend of my hus band’s and I am going to go to him and tell him the whole thing. I will tell him all I know about this precious Lilli. He will soon have a detective on the case, and you will know in short order what became of your diamonds.” She telephoned from a drug store, found the lawyer in, asked him to have a detective in his office when she ar rived, and ordered the taxi to take them there. Mrs. Wolfe seemed so troubled and nervous the morn ing after the visit of the women that her husband an nounced his intention of remaining at home all day. They might come back, and he did not intend that she should be there to meet them alone. Early in the afternoon, the doorbell rang, and as Marian was busy upstairs, Mr. Wolfe himself opened the door. His jaw stiffened at the sight of Mrs. Rabinock and the woman with her. They were accompanied by a man with a hard, sharp, de termined face. There were several minutes of conversation, and then the man, whom Mrs. Hepburn had introduced as a detec tive, asked, very suavely, if he might be permitted to ques tion the maid. As Mr. Wolfe was leaving the room, the man stopped him.
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