Marion Marlowe's Cleverness, or, Exposing a Bold Fraud — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

12 leading from the voom. Marion knew in- stinctively that he was looking for Gregg, and she wondered if the servant was in the habit of listening at keyholes. “Tl tell you how they know, Miss Mar- lowe,” said the young man in a whisper. “That woman Gregg is a peculiar creature. In spite of her sphinx-like face, she is no fool; and it is she who has given the police some secret information.” “And don’t you know what it is?” asked Marion, quickly. “| wish I did,” was the young man’s low answer. “I’ve done my best, but J am not very clever. Gregg knows more than she will tell, for some reason or other.” “Well, it’s very mysterious,” said Marion, soberly. “It just makes me wish that I had been born a detective. comfort in ferreting this thing out, for of course some one must be guilty, and they . should be brought to justice.” “The police say he could not have entered through the window,’ went on the young n:an, slowly; “but I was in the room myself by half-past seven. I.discovered uncle, stiff and cold in death, and of course the first thing I did was to exatne the window.” “And you found it “Locked,” was the young man’s answer in a lower tone. ‘Nevertheless, I am sure that the assassin could have entered through the window.” | “But the balcony, the court-yard, they have examined all those points, surely?’ cried Marion, sharply. She had suddenly thought of her Aunt Susan’s words—that Mr. Ever- eft’s and her uncle’s windows were opposite 39 each other. Mr. Stanton sank down in the chair that the widow had just vacated, and as he rested one elbow on the broad arm his head sank “into his hands dejectedly. “They have examined everything,” he said with a sigh, “the room, the window, the bal- cony and the court-y ard; yet their theory is the same—they say he did not enter by the window ; which, of course, points to one thing that is that the assassin lives in the build- ing.” “That ig what the servants were saying as * \og Marion’s reply; “still, [ fail } came in, _ Marion, thoughtfully. I would take solid: : MY QUEEN. - to see why he could not enter and then fede the window after him if he wished to.” “My idea exactly!” cuickly. “Oh, I see that you and I will be abie to ferret this thing out between us. Now, it we could only learn whether he has ever x om Pt © said young Stanton, — wd er < . had a quarrel—if any one has ever threatened | him for any reason whatever!” “That will be difficult to find out,” “Gregg Sav she knows of a quarrel, and a serious one,” said the young fellow, slowly. “The question is, will she be believed ?—she is such a curious creature.” | Marion opened her eyes wide and stared at the young man. She could not quite ouder" stand such apparent interest in a servant. She was about to speak, when she -heard her aunt’s voice. = : “She is coming and bringing Mr. Everett with her,” she said, with pleasure. see he knew uncle, and he may have a theory. Being right in the noueines he is bound to be interested.” “Of course,” said young Sta ntott as he shifted his position uneasily. The door opened just then and admitted the widow and the critic. CHAPTER Mil THE MYSTERIOUS NOTE. As Howard Everett entered the room he gave one quick, searching glance at Marion, and as his keen gaze met her eyes an ex- pression of relief passed over his features. He could see that the young girl was mys- tified and perplexed, but she was on her guard—of that he was certain. As his hand ‘clasped hers he gave her a bright smile, but his words were only the simplest form of: greeting. : Young Stanton and Mr. Everett had not spoken to each other until to-day, when they stood side by side at the coroner’s inquest, although they had frequently passed each other in the halls of the building. If they felt any special interest in each other now, they cid not exhibit it openly, yet it was not long before Marion's sharp eyes discovered that “T shall. be glad to hear Mr. Everett’s opinion—you said : 4 a furtive glances were being exchanged, and _ (eo) IOOKS AME (E(0)