The Mystery of the Hidden Room

d turned on the study lights, yet Ruth had been manifestly uneasy and had thought that she had heard his step in the hall. Where had he been

urned them for an instant my way I realized that he would do his very best to hurt me. My peremptory manner last night wo

he coroner was saying when I was on

of his business affairs," with a trace of c

u discharge

ad Street. I attend t

s-er-wealth-should introduce his secreta

n beside me grinned delightedly t

ly," answered Orton. "I-er-he asked me

have you been

two m

ainted with his pr

y those relating

about?" inquired the coroner ironically. In his op

ank," answered Orton, discomfite

n his domestic affairs?" continued the coroner with

he laughed feebly. "Yes, he was not on good terms with his wife, if t

de me with a sneer, but I was too much concerned with what

hot?" remarked the coroner, changing the subject a

aused on the lower step to count the strokes of the hall clock. Just as I finished counting twelve the shot r

id you

ed. But sometime previously I had heard a step in the hall and looking out had seen Mrs. Darwi

ncocting that piece of testimony-for one part of it at least was a decided fabrication. Ruth h

of you? Where did he come

irs, and so he reached the room first, but he paused at the door fo

e say to Mr

hand and fainted. While Mr. Davies picked her up I turned on the

have helped knowing who had been shot th

was in dark

table but it did not give sufficient light

the light how many per

vies, Mrs. D

one else who left by the window

n's request a half-hour before, and they w

ave escaped by

rson. Besides, Mr. Davies was at the door a

thing shiny in her hand. Were

he said, with a triumpha

f from the group of servants to shake a finger beneath Orton's nose. "It'

e remained to curse Orton roundly before he moved away. A servant's loyalty to a sweet and ge

retary was held by the servants, made the coroner a little doubtful of his

ther than the fact that she held the pistol i

table and she had quarreled with him an hour and a half before

im, you say? Tell me

ten-thirty, but of this I cannot be absolutely sure, since he ha

in the study?" inte

ers which Mr. Darwin had l

sually kept locked," continued the co

the door open for me and he unlocked it befo

ith your

hen he summoned me, to report them to him. After which he closed and locked the door. It was then that I heard Mrs. Darwin telling her maid to make haste. I hurried to the back stairs and followed Annie to the garage where I heard her instructions to the chauffeur. Coming back to the house I hung around the darkened hall and while I waited I heard voices in the study, but I was unable to distinguish whose they were. Then Mrs. Darwin came downstairs and I drew back into the little room next the study to await dev

hould know how to play fast and loose, eh? I'll make

t that odious man's remarks in that softly insinuating voice. "Stop!" I cried, springing to m

I believe he feared to antagonize me too far, for he said

n deference to his superio

k the windows and he was laughing w

rel between the husband and wife?" su

Mrs. Darwin had written t

its contents, for he interposed hurriedly, "Did anyone

rs. Darwin

in question?" poin

arwin and has his initial

nize this handkerchief?" holding up a dainty lace

rs. Darwin car

rwin the only member

way for two weeks on a vacation, and Lee Darwin, Mr.

do you

in tell Lee to get out and stay out, which he promptly di

Orton. Gregory," c

answered t

quire for Mr. Lee Darwin. I

good

oner turned to me. "Now, Mr. Davies