The Curved Blades

rooms whose windows looked out on equally beautiful scenes, both front and back. On the right of the hall, as one entered, was the long living room, and beyond it, the library and

present. Miss Carrington, herself, made a point of being on time partly from

g after the stormy bridge game, Pauline expr

went to bed in an awful tantrum

t especially appropriate garb for a secretary, but Miss Carrington preferred her household to be well-dressed, and really commanded pretty tints and fabrics for the two girls. Pauline was in white serge, of rather severe cu

moments more had passed, and the Lady Lucy had not

!" said Anita, her blue eyes full of

isappeared, "hold your breakfast nap

l, wonderingly, as

wn at you and kissed you! And I mustn't no

val of the muffin-laden Haskins saved the lovely

minutes passed, when Pauline called from

and unhurriedly left the room, pinchi

lamation from Haviland that made her rise f

entering, she saw Pauline and Haviland with ho

n an embroidered Oriental-looking gown, and wore many jewels. Her red-dyed hair, dressed elaborately, as she had worn it the night before, was still crowned with the enormous comb of carved tortoise-shell, but the comb was br

ispered Anita, shudderi

ly. He stood, hands in pockets,

s eyes riveted themse

Miss Lucy was,-ye

erself into Haviland's arms, but

put her hand across her eyes

nd, and the girl stopped just in time to save

d, "why, it's M

d heap of silver and broken china that had once been a costly Sevres set. Dainty white serviet

ank down on a couch in the hall just outsi

e, Pauline stared at it, with clenched hands.

alive?" gas

viland quietly. "A paper

deathly afraid of snakes! Did frig

een killed. But could it

gh the Japanese department of a shop, I've seen her turn white and

her? There is no wou

! Don't wait a minute

e. She is dead." Haviland

, we must call

I w

m,-use that telepho

adjoining room, the soft rugs givi

me here, Pauline; look, the night lights are burning,

s her hair as it was last eve

on the head,-don't touch her, Pauline! You mustn't! I'll ca

t the upset tray on the floor. She stooped, when Haviland's voice came sharply from the nex

ak into the instrument, she stooped swiftly and picking

hall, and speaking somewhat sharpl

blue eyes stared coldly. "How sho

t that tray an hour ago.

f I knew anything about this

e dark ones, flashing fire from their

ame hurriedly o

at once," he said; "and h

d Anita; and ran a

up to this thing. Don't you think we ought to-to put away the jewels? It's wrong

h nothing,-nothing at all. You s

t. But this is different, Gray. Doctor Stanton didn't know there are

ou know s

, and that corsage ornament she is wearing and her rings and ear-rings are easily worth the same s

ppeared in the doorway, "besides, Pauline, they are

e went swiftly to her aunt's side, and unfastened the long rope of pearls, the wonderful glittering sunburst, and a large diamond

to persuade herself, "these are too valuable t

sk?" said Anita, smiling unpl

ear-rings," said Pauline, steadily, "and

ost valuable antique th

"but Carr told me it was an imitation. Not one ex

doctor came. "What does it mean?" cried the bewild

e had ever before seen a murdered woman, sitting before her dressi

for the silent heart, and then turned his att

auburn tresses. "Killed by a sudden, swift blow on the head with

!" exclaim

bits of this broken shell stuff into the brain. But it was the force of the concussion that kill

night, she had on an evening gown. But this negligée is not unusual; it is on

s a pompous middle-aged man of fussy manner. He did not again touch the body, but he stepped about, noting

hatred,-even fear of snakes; I've never seen it before.

smiling. But the shattered comb and dented skull have but one exp

rloom, from a Colonial ancestor. It encircl

nd. He had stood, till now, a silent listener to

eight at least. Evidently she was preparing fo

m all a long time. But she must have been admiring herself

Dr. Stanton; "

lling to have a fortune in jewels here to tempt their cupidity. And I have a right. It is no secret that my cousin Carringt

stepped carefully about, "she was adorning herself; see, here is powder scatte

in amazement at the white dust on the floor. For where she had seen a distinct footprint, as of

ked the doct

f powder spilled,-I

at her. "Tell the tru

m quite equalling his own. "Must

nd detectives,-oh, it is a terrible case! Nothing must be touched, not

t a burglar who did it," said An

st hav

none of her j

exploded at his feet. "Sure enough! It cannot have been

ne, "and he was-he was frightened

nita, "with all thos

piring brow. "Never have I seen such an inexplicable state of affairs! Was-was Mi

es, she did! She said, 'You little know what's going t

she mean

a. Could it

ent on wilful murder! As there is no robbery, we must look for a d