Vicky Van

Occasionally he would dart from the room, and return a few moments later, scribbling in hi

" he said, suddenly, "and then they'd better

t was back of the living-room. The sideboard was at the opposite end, back of

ear it. As always at Vicky Van's parties, the appointments were dainty and elaborate. Flowers decorated the table;

rprise," said Mrs. Ree

ely trinkets and littl

en's parties," observed Fenn, looking w

as part of her surprise. She didn't want it known, lest the guests should bring gifts. Sh

Allen look like?"

wfully pretty, but not a raving beauty.

dressed? Gi

resented the detective's off-hand manner. "A bea

, and all t

o answer. "Full evening costume, and a ne

t couldn't go very far in the streets without being noticed. We'll sur

"She wouldn't go to my home, I liv

ed Ariadne, "it's ov

e left the house,"

, "just where did the lady seem to g

pushed the door ajar, and I was so amazed at what I saw, that

commanded Fenn, "and lo

the door a few inches ajar, proved that he could see body

en," and Lowney stood over the bo

nd Luigi's earnestness and good faith w

to the hall. Is thi

ir, the

l, and it was clear that his further progre

ve gone out at the front door, passing the parlor, or, she could have gone down these basement stairs, which are just under the stairs to the second

aircase is so far back in the hall, that the guests in the parl

rs after leaving the dining-room, without being seen by any of us in the living-room, unless we were in

nd I don't believe she was in the dining-roo

ys I take her orders. She came even this afternoon, to make sure the great cake-the Jack Horner, was all right. And sh

is one of your r

n we serve her, and always

vide eve

ndles, flowers,

pays he

prom

cheq

s,

servants here bu

the house. Madame Julie superintends and directs us alway

e this woman, th

es all the evening. She admitted the guests, she acted as ladies' maid, and she arranged the favors in the

was Jul

pstairs, or maybe in the front of the hall,

ive about this maid's appea

othing especial about her. She ha

d Lowney noted it with

differentiated Julie from her sisters in

Allen get that knife

s, I suppose, in the pant

is its

one of our men used it in cutting cel

k t

t it in the butler's pantry an hour or so before the crime was committed. Any one could ha

ore it was used, as Luigi was in the pantry just previously," observed Fenn. "

laimed Mrs. Reeves triumphantly, "for Vicky had no reaso

," wailed Ariadne.

he will return herself. If guilty, we must find her. And we will. A householde

ut I know she gives a good deal in charity, and is always ready to subscribe to philanthropic causes. I tell you she is not the criminal, and I don't

u go with Mr. Lowney, and look over the house

ood-hearted woman, and a staunch friend of Vicky Van. I was glad she was on han

. Reeves. "There's no telling what we ma

ky had done the thing, she might have, i

ms and the small, city back yard. There was no sign of Vicky Van or of Julie, and next we came back to the first floor, hu

d Lowney, "we must make a t

ntments of silver, crystal and embroidered fabrics, and a bed fit for a princess. It seemed profanation for the little detective to poke and pry around

n order, and all just as a well-bred, r

and back of this, over the pantry ex

e personality of their owner. The walls were panelled in pale rose color, and a few fine pictures were in absolute h

an his arm among the gowns hanging in the w

ted flight or hiding. The dressing-table boxes held some bits of jewelry but nothing of really great val

s no harm done. And if the lady doesn

tractive, and showed a thoughtful mistress and an appreciative maid. Everything was in order. Several uniforms of black and of gray were in the cupb

n, under and behind every piece of furniture, and came, at last, to the unesca

son in the hall. They had let Doctor Remson go home, also G

minal to arrest, and nobody knows the victim! He must be from out of town. We'll nail Mr. Steele to-morrow, and begin to get somewhere. Also we'll look up Miss Van Allen's credits and business acquaintances. A woman

d the killing,"

m a lot before I let him go, and I'm sure he's telling what he saw. I'll see Fr

an came in at t

looking about in ama

ney? What

Ferrall, the of

the coroner. "Don't you

ing a crowd at a fire a couple blocks

end of hers named Some

? Kil

do you know of

ere. Quiet young lady. Nothin' to

cept named Some

him. Where's M

ipp

oroughbred can't be m

Stabbed. With

s see

the dining room, and, on an irresist

ight of the dead man's features. "That a

ha

aire. Lives on Fifth Avenue, not f

e you sure this is

house is on my beat. I see him

e got a big case o

eve Ferrall's statement, but real

No wonder the clubs didn't know of R. Somers! R. S. on his handkerchiefs and all that. He used a false name 'cause he didn't

we were making lists for bazar patrons and she said she would ask only people she knew, and we tried to find somebody who knew Randolph Sch

ome address again, and if he isn't there, go there and stick till he comes. Now, for some one to

and turn down. It's No.-only par

" said Fenn. "Ma

urse. Come

nd I was glad to go. But Mrs. Reeves declared her intention of s

e way. "And, too, I'd rather be here, in case-in case Miss Van Al