The Circular Staircase

gloom behind the lamps. "What i

't think the answer struck either of us as being ridi

nt. I could see the car plainly now, and Warner was at the wheel-Warner in an ulster and a pair of slippers,

both men to get the Dragon Fly up the last grade. Only when we had closed the front door and stood facing each other in t

arly wept again. "I-I must see Gertrude,

rlier in the evening, and she limped somewhat. During her slow progress down the stairs I had time to notice one thing: Mr. Jamieson

without tears. Halsey kissed her tenderly, and I notic

ing-right?"

be," with forc

very room, listening while he overtly accused both Gertrude and Halsey of at least a knowledge of the death

e was saying. "It knocked me dumb. When I think of thi

she said. "You and-and Jack left almost at the time it happened.

rly starting from his head. "I beg your par

e you went that night, or rather morning, and why you went as yo

could see the horror of the

s to why, you will learn that soon enough. But Gertrude knows that Jac

e said drearily. "Halsey, if the worst come

to leave that night. I can not tell you why-just yet. As to where we went, if I have to depend on that as an

ck to the city," I dema

t the present moment I d

n who killed Arnold Armstrong? The police think he was admitted from within,

fancied I caught a sudden glance at Gertrud

y and I had been alone up to the strange experience of Rosie and her pursuer. The

, I have never told this even to Gertrude, but the morning after the

t Halsey stared at me. T

laimed. "Why, Jack took my r

ored. "The detective thinks possibly Jack Bail

e, when you brought down a revolver that night for J

was def

of what Jack might do. I gave him one I

up both hands

th an empty gun, and throw mine in a tulip bed, of all places on earth! Mine was a thirty-eight caliber. The i

hat I have the revolver, and

de had ris

cried. "Halsey, I did not throw your revolver

e, with young eyes all at once hard, suspicious. And

so much at stake, it-is shameful. I know you are

it. Some things were clear to him that were dark to me. He knew, and Gertrude, too, why Jack Bailey and he had gone away that night, as they did. He knew where they had been for the last forty-eigh

ay wrapper before Gertrude came back from school-I let him in. He stood in the doorway a moment, and then he went into agonies o

ok me by the elbow and pull

my wrinkle eradicators, and I presume my appearance was odd. I believe that it is a woman's duty to care for her looks, but it is much like

a long time ago. If you had known it, you would not have suspected me for a moment of-of having anything to do with the attack on Arnold Armstrong. Goodness knows what I might do to a fellow like that, if ther

of course, it isn't likely, or poss

re two reasons,

had a girl already

t myself growing red. I had, in

pursued, "was that the Armst

pright at th

r Armstrong driving a stage across the mount

matrimonial market," Halsey interrupted. "And the present

se, you are taken at your own valuation. The

y. She's willing to take me, war governor or no, provided her mother consents. She isn't overly-fond of her stepf

sides, Gertrude's sworn statement that you left be

e the room, and the air of che

ent, but she didn't tell everything. Arnold Armstrong came here at two-thirty-ca

Every time I see a way for you to escape you block it

y had started for here, and the messenger had gone back to the city. The steward gave it to Arnold, who

e brou

es

in the t

things are made public. It is onl

story of a tel

Aunt Ray, there was no such message. No doubt your detecti

t back, it was to

Aunt Ray, it looks bad for all three of us, doesn't it? And yet-I wi

r into Gertrude's dressing

ude probably had your revolver: she must have examined it, anyhow, that night.

alsey stood looking

d thinking it was you, or Jack, she admitted him. When she saw her mistake she

nished, and in that position we stared each

wn perhaps from an upper window: you say it was buried deep. Her prostration ever s

my head in a hope