A PIECE OF ORIENTAL SILK
"I'm glad you could come back, Mr. Hunter," said Brett, as Joshua
opened the library door of the Carew residence and admitted Douglas.
"Can you stay here all night?"
"If necessary," replied Douglas, glancing at him in surprise.
"I think it would be best. Mrs. Winthrop is completely unstrung; her
niece, Miss Carew, prostrated from shock, and Mr. Philip Winthrop
in bed with a bad attack of delirium tremens. In such a household
your presence to-night might be invaluable if anything else were to
happen--not that I am anticipating any further trouble or tragedies."
"Very well, I will stay," agreed Douglas.
"'Deed I'se mighty glad ter hyar dat," volunteered Joshua, who hovered
just inside the door on the pretext of arranging some furniture. "But I
dunno whar I'll put yo', suh. Miss Eleanor, she's in de gues' chambah,
an' Annette's in de room back ob her's, and de nusses fo' Marse Philip
has der spar rooms in der third flo'."
"Never mind, Joshua, I can camp out in this room. That sofa looks very
comfortable," and Douglas pointed to the large upholstered davenport
which faced the empty fireplace.
"Just a moment, Joshua," exclaimed Brett, as the old butler moved
toward the door. "Did you see Senator Carew leave the house yesterday
afternoon?"
"No, suh."
"Did he take luncheon here?"
"No, suh; he cum in 'bout three o'clock; leastways dat was when he rung
fo' me, an' I reckon he'd only jes' arrived, 'cause he had his hat an'
coat on his arm."
"What did he want with you?"
"He axed me why Hamilton hadn't called fo' him at de Capitol as
ordered, an' when I tole him dat Hamilton was a-sittin' in de stable
doin' nuffin, he said I was ter go right out an' send him to de
library--which I done."
"Did you see Senator Carew after that?"
"Yessir. After 'bout fifteen minutes Hamilton cum out lookin' mighty
black an' mutterin' under his breff. Den Marse James rung fo' me
ag'in, an' sent me to tell Marse Philip dat he wanted ter see him to
onst."
"Was there anything unusual in Senator Carew's manner?" inquired
Douglas, who had been listening attentively to the old darky's
statements.
"He seemed considerable put out, dat was all," responded Joshua, after
due reflection.
"Was Senator Carew irritable and quick-tempered?"
"Mostly he was real easy-going, but sometimes he had flare-ups, an' den
it was bes' ter keep outer his way."
"Did you find Mr. Winthrop?"
"Yessir. I gib him de message, an' he went right down to de lib'ary."
"Do you know how long Senator Carew and young Winthrop remained in this
room?"
"No, suh. I went ter de fron' doo', an' while in de hall I heard a
regular ruction goin' on inside dis room."
"Could you hear what was said?" demanded Brett eagerly.
Joshua shook his head. "I couldn't make out a word, but Marse James'
voice was powerful riz an' Marse Philip's, too."
"Was that the first time that Senator Carew and Mr. Winthrop have
quarreled?"
"Deys had words now and den," muttered Joshua, evasively.
"About what?" broke in Douglas, sharply.
"Oh, nuffin in particular. Marse James uster get mad with Marse Philip
'cause he wore so lazy, an' den he's been adrinkin' right smart, which
Marse James didn't like nuther."
"Is Mr. Winthrop a heavy drinker?"
"No, suh, but he's been adrinkin' pretty steady fo' de pas' three
months."
"Have you any idea, Joshua, what caused the quarrel yesterday
afternoon?"
"Well, it mighter started over Hamilton. Marse Philip persuaded Marse
James to keep him las' fall when he was 'bout to discharge him fo'
bein' impertinent."
"Did Senator Carew give you a letter to mail yesterday afternoon, or a
note to deliver for him?" inquired Douglas thoughtfully.
"No, suh, he did not," Joshua declared with firmness.
"How long have you been with Senator Carew, Joshua?"
"Most thirty years, suh. I worked fust fo' his father, der ole
Gineral. Ef yo' doan want me fo' nuffin' mo', gen'man, I reckon I'll go
an' close up de house fo' de night."
"All right, Joshua," and the butler beat a hasty retreat.
Douglas took out his cigarette case and handed it to Brett. "Formed
any new theory?" he asked, striking a match and applying it to the
cigarette between his lips.
Brett did not answer at once. "The inquest will make Winthrop and
Joshua talk. I am convinced neither of them has told all he knows of
this affair," he said finally.
Douglas nodded in agreement. "But the inquest will have to be postponed
now. Winthrop is in no shape to appear before it."
"And Miss Carew, who is an equally important witness, is still confined
to her bed," volunteered Brett. "Miss Thornton tells me that she cries
whenever the subject of the murder is mentioned, and that she is
completely unstrung by the tragedy."
"By the way, who is this Miss Thornton?" asked Douglas. "And what does
she look like?"
"She is a cousin of Mrs. Truxton, of Georgetown"--Douglas whistled in
surprise; Brett glanced at him sharply, then continued: "I am told she
is Miss Carew's most intimate friend, although about five years older.
Miss Thornton must be about twenty-three. She is tall and dark, and has
the most magnificent blue eyes I have ever seen in a woman's head."
Douglas drew in his breath sharply. "It must be the same girl whom
I knew in Paris, but I had no idea then that she was related to old
family friends of mine in Georgetown." He changed the conversation
abruptly. "Come, Brett, what theory have you formed?" he asked again
with more emphasis.
"I think both Winthrop and Hamilton have a guilty knowledge of Senator
Carew's death, but how deeply Winthrop is implicated we have yet to
learn."
"But the motive?" argued Douglas. "It is highly improbable that
Winthrop killed the Senator because he discharged a worthless servant."
"If we could find that letter which I am convinced the Senator was
writing when Winthrop entered the room yesterday afternoon, we would
know the motive fast enough," retorted Brett.
"Have you searched Carew's belongings?"
"Yes, all of them, and all the furniture in his bedroom, sitting-room,
and bath, as well as the rooms on this floor; but I couldn't find
a trace of it. I have also thoroughly searched his office at the
Capitol."
"Did you think to examine the landau? The Senator might possibly have
tucked it under the carriage seat."
"I thought of that, and examined the interior of the carriage, but
there is no possible place where a letter could be concealed. The
carriage has recently been reupholstered in leather and there's no
crack or tear where an envelope could slip through."
"Have you inquired at the different messenger services in town?"
"Yes, but there is no record at any of their offices that Senator Carew
sent for a messenger to deliver a note yesterday afternoon or night. I
also sent word to the post-office officials asking to have an outlook
kept, and a search made for a letter franked by Senator Carew and
postmarked yesterday."
"It's exceedingly doubtful if you get any results from that quarter,
when you don't know when or where such a letter was posted or to what
city it was addressed."
"The frank may help," Brett glanced at the clock. "Eleven-thirty--I
must be going." He rose. "Did you meet with any success, Mr. Hunter, in
the inquiries you said you would make this afternoon?"
"In a way, yes. Winthrop was at the Alibi Club, taking supper with
Captain Stanton. But Julian Wallace, who was one of the party, told me
that Winthrop left the club about twelve-thirty."
Brett whistled. "And he did not reach this house until three hours
later! I am afraid friend Winthrop will have much to explain when he
recovers his senses."
"Hold on; the Carew carriage returned here a few minutes before one
o'clock--when the Senator was found dead inside it. That only left
Winthrop less than half an hour to get from the club to Mrs. Owen's
residence, a considerable distance, and commit the murder."
"It's not impossible for a man in a motor," declared Brett sharply.
"I thought Senator Carew only kept horses," exclaimed Douglas.
"And so he did, but Winthrop owns an Oldsmobile roadster. I was here
at the house when he arrived this morning. The machine has a cover and
wind-shield, so he was fairly well protected from the rain. As I said
before, Winthrop will have much to explain. I hope you will have an
undisturbed night, Mr. Hunter; I told Joshua and the nurses to call you
if anything is needed."
"Don't worry about me," laughed Douglas, as the two men stepped into
the hall. "I've camped out in much worse places than this room."
"Well, good night. I'll be here the first thing in the morning," and
Brett pulled open the door and ran down the steps.
As Douglas replaced the night latch on the front door, Joshua joined
him.
"I brunged yo' dis 'comfort'," raising a soft eiderdown quilt, which he
carried tucked on his left arm. "I thought yo' might like it over yo'
on der sofa."
"Thanks very much," exclaimed Douglas, taking it from him.
Joshua followed him to the library door. "I ain't goin' ter bed," he
explained. "I couldn't sleep no-how," the soft, drawling voice held a
touch of pathos, "Marse James was mighty kind ter me--and thirty years
is a mighty long time ter be 'sociated in de fam'bly. So I jes' reckon
I'll sit on der window-seat in der hall. Ef yo' want anythin' jest let
me know, Marse Hunter."
"All right, Joshua. I'll leave this door open, so you can call me if I
am needed. Good night."
Douglas placed the door ajar, and walked over to the well-filled
bookcases, and, after some deliberation, selected a book and sat down
in the revolving chair. The book held his attention and he read on and
on. He finished the last chapter and tossed the volume on the table,
then glanced at the clock, the dial of which registered two-thirty.
The upholstered davenport, which stood with its back resting against
the length of the desk table, looked inviting, and Douglas rose,
extinguished the light, and walked over and lay down.
After placing several sofa cushions under his head he pulled the
eiderdown quilt over him, as he felt chilly. The added warmth and the
softness of the couch were most grateful to his tired body. He was
drowsily conscious of the clock striking; then his last thought was of
Eleanor Thornton--beautiful Eleanor Thornton--strange that they should
meet again; why, he had actually run away from her in Paris--a few
minutes more and he was sound asleep.
[Illustration: "He made out a shadowy form just ahead of him and darted
forward"]
Some time later Douglas opened his sleepy eyes, then closed them again
drowsily. The room was in total darkness. As he lay listening to the
tick-tock of the clock he became conscious that he was not alone in the
room. Instantly he was wide awake. He pulled out his matchbox, only to
find it empty. As he lay a moment debating what he should do, a soft,
small hand was laid on his forehead. He felt the sudden shock which
his presence gave the intruder, for the fingers tightened convulsively
on his forehead, then were hastily removed. He threw out his hands to
catch the intruder, but they closed on empty space.
Swiftly and noiselessly Douglas rose to his feet and stepped softly
around the end of the davenport, hands outstretched, groping for what
he could not see. Suddenly, his eyes grown accustomed to the darkness,
he made out a shadowy form just ahead of him and darted forward. His
foot caught in the long wire of the desk telephone and, dragging the
instrument clattering with him, he fell forward, striking his face and
forehead against the edge of the open door.
"Fo' de lub ob Hebben!" gasped Joshua, awakened out of a sound sleep,
and scared almost out of his wits. "Marse Hunter! Marse Hunter! Whar
yo' at?"
"Here," answered Douglas. "Turn on the hall light; then come to me."
Obediently Joshua groped his way to the button and switched on the
light, after which he hastened into the library and did the same there.
Douglas, who sat on the floor nursing a bleeding nose, blinked as the
strong light met his dazed eyes.
"Did you see anyone leave this room, Joshua?" he demanded.
"No, suh." The butler's eyes were rolling about to an alarming extent,
showing the whites against his black face, which had grown gray with
fright. "'Twarn't no one ter see--it must ter been a harnt."
"Nonsense," exclaimed Douglas heatedly. The telephone bell was keeping
up a dull clicking as the sleepy central tried to find out what was
wanted, and he leaned over and replaced the receiver on the hook as he
picked up the instrument. "No ghost put out your hall light, and no
ghost wears clothes. I caught the intruder's gown, and if it hadn't
ripped away I'd have caught her." As he spoke he opened his right hand
and disclosed a torn piece of oriental silk.