CHAPTER XIX. THE MIDNIGHT TRAINThe enormity of suspecting Philip Crawford was so great, to my mind, that I went at once to the district attorney's office for consultation with him. Mr. Goodrich listened to what I had to say, and then, when I waited for comment, said quietly: "Do you know, Mr. Burroughs, I have thought all along that Philip Crawford was concealing something, but I didn't think, and don't think now, that he has any guilty secret of his own. I rather fancied he might know something that, if told, would be detrimental to Miss Lloyd's cause." "It may be...
Long Stories - Post by : wrayherring - Date : May 2012 - Author : Carolyn Wells - Read : 3162
CHAPTER XVIII. IN Mr. GOODRICH'S OFFICEAs was my duty I went next to the district attorney's office to tell him about Mrs. Cunningham and the gold bag, and to find out from him anything I could concerning Gregory Hall. I found Mr. Porter calling there, and both he and Mr. Goodrich welcomed me as a possible bringer of fresh news. When I said that I did know of new developments, Mr. Porter half rose from his chair. "I dare say I've no business here," he said; "but you know the deep interest I take in this whole matter. Joseph Crawford was...
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CHAPTER XVII. THE OWNER OF THE GOLD BAGThe next day I received a letter addressed in modish, angular penmanship, which, before I opened it, I felt sure had come from Mrs. Cunningham. It ran as follows, Mr. HERBERT Burroughs, Dear Sir: Yes, I have lost a gold bag, and I have known all along that it is the one the newspapers are talking so much about in connection with the Crawford case. I know, too, that you are the detective on the case, and though I can't imagine how you did it, I think it was awfully clever of you to...
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CHAPTER XVI. A CALL ON MRS. PURVISThe next morning I received information from headquarters. It was a long-code telegram, and I eagerly deciphered it, to learn that Mrs. Egerton Purvis was an English lady who was spending a few months in New York City. She was staying at the Albion Hotel, and seemed to be in every way above suspicion of any sort. Of course I started off at once to see Mrs. Purvis. Parmalee came just as I was leaving the inn, and was of course anxious and inquisitive to know where I was going, and what I was going...
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CHAPTER XV. THE PHOTOGRAPH EXPLAINEDThat evening I went to see Philip Crawford. As one of the executors of his late brother's estate, and as probable heir to the same, he was an important personage just now. He seemed glad to see me, and glad to discuss ways and means of running down the assassin. Like Mr. Porter, he attached little importance to the gold bag. "I can't help thinking it belongs to Florence," he said. "I know the girl so well, and I know that her horrified fear of being in any way connected with the tragedy might easily lead her...
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CHAPTER XIV. MR. PORTER'S VIEWSI began on a new tack. "Miss Lloyd, why did you tell an untruth, and say you did not come down-stairs again, after going up at ten o'clock?" Her hauteur disappeared. A frightened, appealing look came into her eyes, and she looked to me like a lovely child afraid of unseen dangers. "I was afraid," she confessed. "Yes, truly, I was afraid that they would think I had something to do with the--with Uncle Joseph's death. And as I didn't think it could do any good to tell of my little visit to him, I just said...
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CHAPTER XIII. MISS LLOYD'S CONFIDENCEAfter Louis left me, I felt as if a dead weight had fallen on my heart. Florence Lloyd had gone down to her uncle's office late that night, and yet at the inquest she had testified that she had not done so. And even to me, when talking quietly and alone, she had repeated her false assertion. This much I knew, but why she had done if, I did not know. Not until I was forced to do so, would I believe that even her falsehood in the matter meant that she herself was guilty. There must...
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CHAPTER IX. THE TWELFTH ROSEFor the next day or two the Crawford house presented the appearance usual in any home during the days immediately preceding a funeral. By tacit consent, all reference to the violence of Mr. Crawford's death was avoided, and a rigorous formality was the keynote of all the ceremonies. The servants were garbed in correct mourning, the ladies of the house refused to see anybody, and all personal callers were met by Philip Crawford or his wife, while business acquaintances were received by Gregory Hall. As private secretary, of course Mr. Hall was in full charge of Mr....
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CHAPTER VIII. FURTHER INQUIRY"Did you happen to notice, Mrs. Pierce, whether Miss Lloyd was wearing a yellow rose when you saw her in her room?" Mrs. Pierce hesitated. She looked decidedly embarrassed, and seemed disinclined to answer. But she might have known that to hesitate and show embarrassment was almost equivalent to an affirmative answer to the coroner's question. At last she replied, "I don't know; I didn't notice." This might have been a true statement, but I think no one in the room believed it. The coroner tried again. "Try to think, Mrs. Pierce. It is important that we should...
Long Stories - Post by : ayush - Date : May 2012 - Author : Carolyn Wells - Read : 1316
CHAPTER VII. YELLOW ROSESIf any one expected to see Miss Lloyd faint or collapse at this crisis he must have been disappointed, and as I had confidently expected such a scene, I was completely surprised at her quick recovery of self-possession. For an instant she had seemed stunned by my question, and her eyes had wandered vaguely round the room, as if in a vain search for help. Her glance returned to me, and in that instant I gave her an answering look, which, quite involuntarily on my part, meant a grave and serious offer of my best and bravest efforts...
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CHAPTER VI. THE GOLD BAG"Is this yours?" asked Mr. Monroe, suddenly whisking into sight the gold-mesh bag. Probably his intent had been to startle her, and thus catch her off her guard. If so, he succeeded, for the girl was certainly startled, if only at the suddenness of the query. "N-no," she stammered; "it's--it's not mine." "Are you sure?" the coroner went on, a little more gently, doubtless moved by her agitation. "I'm--I'm quite sure. Where did you find it?" "What size gloves do you wear, Miss Lloyd?" "Number six." She said this mechanically, as if thinking of something else, and...
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CHAPTER V. FLORENCE LLOYDA stir was perceptible all through the room as Miss Lloyd acknowledged by a bow of her beautiful head the summons of the coroner. The jurors looked at her with evident sympathy and admiration, and I remembered that as they were fellow-townsmen and neighbors they probably knew the young woman well, and she was doubtless a friend of their own daughters. It seemed as if such social acquaintance must prejudice them in her favor, and perhaps render them incapable of unbiased judgment, should her evidence be incriminating. But in my secret heart, I confess, I felt glad of...
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CHAPTER IV. THE INQUESTShortly before two o'clock I was back at the Crawford house and found the large library the inquest was to be held, already well filled with people. I took an inconspicuous seat, and turned my attention first to the group that comprised, without a doubt, the members of Mr. Crawford's household. Miss Lloyd--for I knew at a glance the black-robed young woman must be she--was of a striking personality. Tall, large, handsome, she could have posed as a model for Judith, Zenobia, or any of the great and powerful feminine characters in history. I was impressed not...
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CHAPTER III. THE CORONER'S JURYIt was just as the men came in at the door, that I chanced to notice a newspaper that lay on a small table. I picked it up with an apparent air of carelessness, and, watching my chance, unobserved by Parmalee, I put the paper away in a drawer, which I locked. The six men, whom Coroner Monroe named over to me, by way of a brief introduction, stepped silently as they filed past the body of their late friend and neighbor. For the jurymen had been gathered hastily from among the citizens of West Sedgwick who...
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CHAPTER XIX. IN THE RUNABOUTWhen they reached the house, Patty went straight up to Mr. Kenerley, and said in a low tone, "Jim, I want to ask a favour of you." "Anything at all, Patty Pink; anything, to the half of my kingdom!" "Well, I want the little car, the runabout; and I want to go off for a little while, all by myself." "Patty! You amaze me! Does this mean a clandestine meeting with a rustic swain? Oh, my child, I thought you were well brought up!" "Don't tease me, Jim," and Patty looked really serious. "If you must know,...
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CHAPTER XVIII. MOONLIGHTThe May party was over, but a few of the guests, besides those staying in the house, remained for dinner. "Shall I change my frock, Adele, or keep on this toggery for dinner?" said Patty. "Oh, keep that on. You may as well be Queen of May as long as you can." So Patty kept on her pretty, picturesque costume, and when dinner time came she made up her mind to ask Adele to seat her next to Farnsworth. But as the company paired off to go to dinner Big Bill was nowhere visible. "Where's Mr. Farnsworth?" asked Patty,...
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CHAPTER XVII. MAY-DAYMay-Day, contrary to its custom, was a perfectly beautiful, balmy, sunshiny day. Adele drew a long sigh of relief when she opened her eyes to this fact, for as the hostess of a large and elaborate garden party she had no care so great as the question of weather. And as all outdoors was a mass of warm sunshine, she felt sure of the success of her fete. After luncheon she ordained that Patty should go to her room for a nap, as she had worked hard all the morning, and must not look fagged at her coronation. "Make...
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CHAPTER XVI. BELLE HARCOURTAs quickly as possible the answer came back. It was a rainy day, and Adele sent the chauffeur to Maple Bank after it. The three gathered in Patty's room to hear it read, and were not surprised that it ran after this manner: "BELLE: How could you know the dearest way to sign yourself? Any other word would have spoiled it! But Belle! My beautiful one! I MUST see you! The picture is just what I anticipated, only more sweet and soulful. You are an angel, and I must see you or die. Do not make me wait....
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CHAPTER XV. AN INVITATIONNotwithstanding the experience of the evening, Patty slept dreamlessly all night, and was only awakened, when Jane came in the morning with her breakfast tray. "Hello, Jane," she said, sleepily, opening her eyes, "will you ask Mrs. Fairfield to come up here right away?" "What is it, Patty?" said Nan, appearing a moment later; "are you ill? Jane said you wanted me right away." "No, I'm not ill," and Patty gave her stepmother a quizzical glance. "Sit down, Nan, and brace yourself for a shock. In me you behold a charming young debutante who has received her first...
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CHAPTER XIV. KENNETHMrs. Homer and Marie were greeting the newcomers, and as yet had hardly realised the whole situation, but quick-witted Beatrice took it all in. "You Patty!" she cried, "oh, you Patty Fairfield!" Patty's beaming face left no doubts as to who it was that had circumvented their plan and carried off the honours of the day. "I'm so sorry you can't stay to luncheon," she said, turning to Kit; "must you really go now?" "You little rascal!" he cried, "but I'll get even with you for this!" "Please don't," and Patty spoke seriously. "Truly, Kit, I don't like these...
Long Stories - Post by : LindaCaroll - Date : May 2012 - Author : Carolyn Wells - Read : 2297
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The Gold Bag - Chapter 19. The Midnight Train
