May 27, 2025 • 21 mins
Get entranced with The Hemlock Avenue Mystery, a thrilling piece from the mystery series penned by Lily Augusta Long under the alias Roman Doubleday. A lawyer finds himself in the thick of a murder accusation, having allegedly killed a legal adversary. Amidst the tumult, a persistent newspaper reporter decides to delve into the mysterious case. Complicating the plot are two women under suspicion, and another seemingly oblivious to the crime. With limited clues at his disposal, the reporter transitions into a detective, unwinding one enigma at a time. This gripping narrative is brought to life by the compelling narration of Roger Melin.
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
Chapter sixteen of The Hemlock Avenue Mystery by Roman Doubleday.
This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Chapter sixteen.
The fact that Bede had put a seal on Fullerston's
door indicated that the detective had not yet made the
examination of the room, which unquestionably it was his intention
(00:23):
to make. That he should have deferred so important a
matter for twenty four hours could only be explained on
the theory that he had some still more important project
on hand which was occupying his personal attention. Lyon intended
to get into Fullerton's rooms if possible, before Bede did,
but the plan which he had hastily formed at the
(00:44):
Wellington required the cover of darkness. He could do nothing
along that line before night, and in the meantime he
felt that he could do nothing more interesting and possibly
important than to discover what Bede was engaged upon that
was so engrossing as to make him postpone the investigation
of Fullerton's rooms to another day. Lyon figured it out
(01:08):
like this. Bede had received from Hunt, and undoubtedly had
opened and read a letter from Fullerton addressed to Miss Wolcott.
He already knew, as had appeared at their first interview
that Fullerton had at one time been engaged to Miss Wolcott. Therefore,
the association of her name with his was not a
(01:29):
new idea. Yet he had been shadowing her yesterday afternoon.
Presumably therefore he had suddenly come to perceive a new
importance in her movements. Was his watchfulness over her the
occasion of his present preoccupation, Lyon would have given much
for a clairvoyant vision to tell him where Bede was
(01:52):
at that moment, Being obliged to trust instead to his
reasoning powers, he went to Hemlock Avenue and walked past
Miss Wolcott's house. The house wore its customary air of seclusion,
and there was no lounger in the street. He walked
a block farther and went into a drug store, where
(02:13):
as he happened to know, there was a public telephone
and a gossiping clerk. Has Bede been here today? He asked, carelessly, bead,
Who don't you know Bede, the detective, little gray man
with keen eyes and a voice that he keeps behind
(02:34):
his teeth. I expected to find him here. He was
here this morning, or a man like him, said the
clerk a detective, you say, gee, what's up? The clerk
was looking rather startled. Well, if I had known he
was a detective. He gave out that he was the
(02:55):
credit man for the new furniture store around the corner,
and asked about several people in the neighborhood that we
have accounts with. Our old man has some stock in
the furniture concern, so I gave him all the information
I could. What accounts did he ask about? Do you remember?
The clerk named half a dozen. Lion was not surprised
(03:18):
to hear Miss Woolcott's among them. He was both surprised
and startled to hear Miss Elliot's. What did you tell
him about these two? He asked thoughtfully, I let him
see their accounts in the ledger. I wish you'd let
me see those same accounts. The clerk demurred, and Lion,
(03:40):
who had noticed a college fraternity pin on the other scarf,
opened his coat. He wore the same pin. Oh all right,
said the easy going clerk, with a laugh. If I'm
going to be fired for giving anything away to a detective,
I'll have the satisfaction of helping a note tabina. Anyhow,
(04:00):
here are the account books come around here. He opened
a page with miss Edith Wolcott's name at the top.
The latest entry caught Lion's eye. At once November twenty fifth,
sulfonel six grams forty five. The date was the date
of Fullerton's murder. Lion pointed to the entry. Could you
(04:26):
tell me what time of the day that sale was made?
That's exactly what the other man asked. The clerk exclaimed
in a maze. And you told him it was half
past nine in the evening. I happened to remember, because
I leave at half past nine every evening and the
night clerk comes on. And just as I was going out,
(04:49):
Miss Wolcott came in and asked if I could give
her something to make her sleep. She said she was
too nervous to sleep. And I noticed she seemed all
out of a tremble. Her hands were shaking when she
took the packet. Did you tell Bede all that? I
guess I did. Did he ask you any other questions?
(05:13):
Not about miss Wolcott? He looked a long time at
Miss Eliot's account. Let me see it. Then the clerk
turned the pages. We charge everything that has prescribed for
any one at the school to miss Eliot's account and
show on our bill who it was for, said the clerk.
That's what these names mean. He pointed to the names
(05:37):
Miss Jones, Miss Beatley, et cetera, opposite each item. Lyon
was distinctly startled to catch the name Miss Tainter at
frequent intervals. Has she been ill? He asked, with quick concern,
and then added lamely, she's a sort of cousin of mine.
(05:58):
The clerk grinned Gunther's chocolates. Oh. Lion studied the entries
assiduously for the next few moments. Among the latest were
a number of charges for missus w B. Had that
meant anything to Bede? Did Bede ask about any of them?
(06:20):
In particular? He inquired by way of answering his own query.
He wanted to know who missus w B was? What
did you tell him? Told him they were doctor Barry's prescriptions.
They were marked that way. That's all I know. Remember
anything else, he asked about. No, that's about all. Lyon
(06:46):
went into the telephone booth and called up doctor Barry.
Hello Barry, this is Lion. I want to know how
missus w B is getting along? Now? See here, Lion
don't you think you are crowding things a little? There
really hasn't been time for any radical change since noon.
(07:08):
What do you mean I told you at noon she
was not to be disturbed for several days. Yet told me, well,
I told the boy who telephoned for you. I have
not authorized anyone to telephone for me. What why someone
(07:29):
telephoned in your name? And you have been such a
nuisance about the case that I thought, of course it
was you again. Did you happen to mention the lady's
name or only her initials? Asked lyon, Barry hesitated so
long in answering that Lion could only draw the most
serious conclusion. I can't say, Barry answered, with some constraint.
(07:56):
It's important I should know, Barry, you know she was
very desirous of keeping her visit here unknown, and if
you have been giving it away, I must at least
know the facts so as to head off trouble if possible.
He threw all his earnestness into his voice, and Barry
yielded a reluctant reply, saying, it is possible that I did.
(08:20):
I thought it was your message. Did he ask anything
else in particular? No excuse me, I'm very busy, and
the phone shut off Lyon walked out and back up
Hemlock Avenue. He was breathing quickly, as though he had
been running. If I were Bede, I think I should
(08:42):
be rather proud of myself, making two such halls as
that in one morning. At this rate, Bede will soon
know all that I know myself and a little more.
He said to himself. Is it possible that he will
attach any significance to miss Wolcott's purchase of a so
porific on the fatal twenty fifth? Good Lord, I wish
(09:05):
she had stayed at home that evening. That visit to
the druggist at half past nine brings her very close
to the scene of the murder. Did she go for
a sleeping powder before or after the murder? Is it possible?
After all? He shook his head impatiently at his own suggestion.
(09:26):
At any rate, I must let Howell know at once
that Bede has discovered missus Broughton. Something will come from that,
and soon I suspect we'll have to defy dear doctor Barry.
He deserves the limit of the law. He was within
half a block of Oldhun's He determined to go there
(09:47):
to telephone. It was the nearest place, and incidentally it
would enable him to get Kitty's latest report on Missus
Broughton's condition. As he entered the hall, Olden met him.
If indeed this wild eyed man whose goggles lay crushed
on the floor, and whose white wig sat askew upon
(10:08):
his own black hair, could be the sedate and decorus Oldham,
he fairly hurled himself at lyon, crushing his arm with
an iron grasp. The curtain is down. Have you seen?
What does it mean? Where is she? Has she gone away?
Can't you speak? What do you know about it? Where
(10:30):
has she gone? His questions piled one upon another, unintelligibly,
What in the world do you mean? Gasped lyon the curtain.
He tore himself away and rushed upstairs to his window.
Kitty's curtain was down to the very bottom in the
left hand window, gone, he exclaimed, in blank bewilderment. Olden
(10:56):
had followed close. She pulled the curtain down just now,
just before you came in. I was watching. I have
been watching all the time. I saw her come and
pull it down. How did you know about the curtains?
Asked Lyon, realizing for the first time that Oldin was
betraying knowledge that he was not supposed to have. I
(11:20):
heard what you said at the phone. I knew what
you came here for. Of course, that's why I let
you come. You were to help me watch without knowing it.
And now she is gone, slipped away from before our
very eyes. Who are you Woods Broughton? He pronounced the
(11:41):
name with careless impatience, as though he had never tried
to keep it a secret. What are you going to do?
We must find her, come downstairs, said Lyon, adjusting himself
to the new situation. We must telephone to Howell. Howell
was not an imagine of man, and it took some
(12:01):
time to make him grasp the double idea that missus
Broughton had disappeared and that Lyon's landlord had suddenly turned
out to be Broughton himself. The whole thing was irregular,
and he felt himself confused and embarrassed, but he agreed
that he must come at once for a consultation. I
(12:22):
think we shall get along better if we are quite frank,
said Lyon. While they were waiting for Howell. Will you
explain your object in disguising yourself so that we may
know just where we stand in relation to each other.
To find out what her secret was, Broughton answered passionately.
(12:43):
He clenched his hands till the knuckles were white, and
his heavy featured face, shaped by half a century of
business life into lines of impassive self control, was wrenched
by emotion that was half pitiful, half ludicrous. To find
out what hold this man Lawrence has upon her? To
(13:03):
kill him? Perhaps Lawrence? Good? Heavens? What nonsense? Cried Lyon.
What made you connect her with Lawrence in any way?
I told you that it was a letter that came
from Wayne Scott that first upset her. She had been
happy before that. I swear it. She was happy and
(13:25):
content as my wife. Then his letters came. What made
you think they were from him? Did you see any
of them? I found one partly burnt in the fireplace
in her bedroom. I could make out the signature plainly.
It was Arthur Lawrence. You could read nothing else. No,
(13:49):
But I found her unfinished answer in her writing desk.
What did she say? Asked Lyon, in a calm voice.
Broughton struggled to get keep his voice steady. She said,
that she was the most unhappy woman in the world. God,
I had been so happy that he had been right
(14:09):
in warning her against marrying me, and that she must
see him. I had no chance to read more, for
she was coming, and I could not let her suspect
I had seen anything. But I made my plans from
that moment. I told her that I was called away
on a sudden business trip, as I expected. As soon
(14:30):
as I was off, she started for Wainscott. I followed
her in this disguise. She went at once to Lawrence's office,
his law office in the Equity Building. Yes, then she
went to Miss Elliot's. That was on a Monday. Monday night,
(14:50):
you will remember Lawrence killed Fullerton and the next day
he was arrested. That stopped their plans. Whatever they were
up her room at Miss Elliott's, and I took this house,
which happened to be vacant, so that I could keep
a close watch on her. She has never gone out.
Doctor Barry has been to see her, as you know.
(15:13):
I have had Phillips get a daily report from Barry
under color of wiring to me. Then you came along,
mister Lyon. I had seen and heard enough to know
that you were a friend of Lawrence's. So I took
you in because I wanted to know everything about him
that I could, and I knew that for some reason,
(15:34):
you were watching Grace. Phillips had tracked you there several times,
and he followed you into the floors shop and got
possession of Grace's order for unlimited flowers to be sent
to Lawrence, her flowers for him. I wonder I have
kept my senses, but I could do nothing but wait
(15:54):
until Lawrence was released, as Grace was waiting over there
for his release, and pretend to be surprised. You know
yourself the connection between them. That's why you have been
keeping a watch on her. I saw that from the
room you selected. You are quite right as to that,
(16:14):
though I think you are quite wrong as to other things.
What other things about Lawrence? He isn't that sort of
a man. If anyone had a hold upon Missus Broughton,
it would seem to have been Fullerton. Fullerton. You have
been very frank, mister Broughton, and it is only fair
(16:37):
that I should be equally frank. We have been very
anxious to have an interview with Missus Broughton as soon
as her health would permit Howell and I because we
have reason to believe that she may be able to
throw some light upon the Fullerton murder. She may be
wanted as a witness. You are mad, utterly mad, gasped Broughton.
(17:00):
What could she possibly know about that she was with
Fullerton when he left the Wellington at eight o'clock. I
don't believe it. I don't think there can be much
question about that. She had obviously been to consult him
on some legal matters. But frankly, we only know enough
(17:22):
to make it very important. We should know more, and
we have been very anxious to avoid publicity if possible,
for her own sake and possibly for Lawrence's. Poor Broughton
looked dazed. I don't understand. Fullerton was her lawyer? Yes,
(17:43):
and do you think she was with him when Lawrence
killed him? We are in hopes that she may be
able to explain what did actually happen. She certainly was
with Fullerton earlier in the evening. Beyond that, we don't
know anything, and we really haven't even a coherent theory.
But it was Lawrence with whom she was corresponding. It
(18:07):
was Lawrence who had wanted to marry her, and who
would not go to her wedding. It was Lawrence who
came to see her. As soon as my back was turned,
Lyon shook his head. You don't know what lies under
all that Fullerton may have had some hold on her,
and Lawrence may have been acting as her friend. Merely, Ah,
(18:30):
here is Howell. He will tell us what to do. Now.
Howell had had time to adjust his mind to the facts.
Lyon had telephoned, and when he came in he seemed
more curious regarding the personality of the famous man before
him than anything else. Lyon explained briefly what he had
told Broughton about the situation. Well, now, mister Broughton, you
(18:55):
know as much as we do, said Howell. You see
that it is high important we should get at missus
Broughton's testimony. Barry has been keeping me off. So this
young man evolved a somewhat fantastic plan of getting inside
information as to her condition. I hope the code has
missed fire somehow, for it would be exceedingly unfortunate if
(19:18):
the prosecution should get hold of her before we do.
It is quite on the cards, mister Broughton, that we
may want you to take your wife away quite out
of reach as a witness. It depends on what she
has to tell us, and that we must find out
as soon as possible. How if she is gone, that
(19:41):
is the first thing for us to ascertain lyon. You
must take me over to miss Elliott's school at once.
We want to find out all we can and immediately.
If I may make a suggestion, mister Broughton, you will
await our return here instead of accompanying us. It may
possibly prove that your disguise should not be disclosed at
(20:02):
this juncture. Broughton did not demur. He was obviously too
much overwhelmed by the uncertainties of the situation to take
the initiative in any direction. Don't belong, he said, with
a wistfulness that sat strangely on his heavy features. If
she has really gone, I must know it. I must
(20:25):
have the police search the town for her at once.
Howell and Lyon walked away, leaving him standing in the
doorway looking after them in helpless impotence. That complicates things,
said Howell. Lyon nodded. If there is any connection between
Lawrence and missus Broughton, there isn't of the sort. He
(20:49):
thinks if there is any connection, it may supply the
motive for the assault on Fullerton. I'm afraid we aren't
going to get much help for our side from this interview,
but I'd rather know the worse than be tied up
in ignorance. If missus Broughton will talk, well, we shall
(21:10):
soon see, said Howell as he rang Miss Elliott's bell,
end of Chapter sixteen.
Chapter sixteen of The Hemlock Avenue Mystery by Roman Doubleday.
This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Chapter sixteen.
The fact that Bede had put a seal on Fullerston's
door indicated that the detective had not yet made the
examination of the room, which unquestionably it was his intention
(00:23):
to make. That he should have deferred so important a
matter for twenty four hours could only be explained on
the theory that he had some still more important project
on hand which was occupying his personal attention. Lyon intended
to get into Fullerton's rooms if possible, before Bede did,
but the plan which he had hastily formed at the
(00:44):
Wellington required the cover of darkness. He could do nothing
along that line before night, and in the meantime he
felt that he could do nothing more interesting and possibly
important than to discover what Bede was engaged upon that
was so engrossing as to make him postpone the investigation
of Fullerton's rooms to another day. Lyon figured it out
(01:08):
like this. Bede had received from Hunt, and undoubtedly had
opened and read a letter from Fullerton addressed to Miss Wolcott.
He already knew, as had appeared at their first interview
that Fullerton had at one time been engaged to Miss Wolcott. Therefore,
the association of her name with his was not a
(01:29):
new idea. Yet he had been shadowing her yesterday afternoon.
Presumably therefore he had suddenly come to perceive a new
importance in her movements. Was his watchfulness over her the
occasion of his present preoccupation, Lyon would have given much
for a clairvoyant vision to tell him where Bede was
(01:52):
at that moment, Being obliged to trust instead to his
reasoning powers, he went to Hemlock Avenue and walked past
Miss Wolcott's house. The house wore its customary air of seclusion,
and there was no lounger in the street. He walked
a block farther and went into a drug store, where
(02:13):
as he happened to know, there was a public telephone
and a gossiping clerk. Has Bede been here today? He asked, carelessly, bead,
Who don't you know Bede, the detective, little gray man
with keen eyes and a voice that he keeps behind
(02:34):
his teeth. I expected to find him here. He was
here this morning, or a man like him, said the
clerk a detective, you say, gee, what's up? The clerk
was looking rather startled. Well, if I had known he
was a detective. He gave out that he was the
(02:55):
credit man for the new furniture store around the corner,
and asked about several people in the neighborhood that we
have accounts with. Our old man has some stock in
the furniture concern, so I gave him all the information
I could. What accounts did he ask about? Do you remember?
The clerk named half a dozen. Lion was not surprised
(03:18):
to hear Miss Woolcott's among them. He was both surprised
and startled to hear Miss Elliot's. What did you tell
him about these two? He asked thoughtfully, I let him
see their accounts in the ledger. I wish you'd let
me see those same accounts. The clerk demurred, and Lion,
(03:40):
who had noticed a college fraternity pin on the other scarf,
opened his coat. He wore the same pin. Oh all right,
said the easy going clerk, with a laugh. If I'm
going to be fired for giving anything away to a detective,
I'll have the satisfaction of helping a note tabina. Anyhow,
(04:00):
here are the account books come around here. He opened
a page with miss Edith Wolcott's name at the top.
The latest entry caught Lion's eye. At once November twenty fifth,
sulfonel six grams forty five. The date was the date
of Fullerton's murder. Lion pointed to the entry. Could you
(04:26):
tell me what time of the day that sale was made?
That's exactly what the other man asked. The clerk exclaimed
in a maze. And you told him it was half
past nine in the evening. I happened to remember, because
I leave at half past nine every evening and the
night clerk comes on. And just as I was going out,
(04:49):
Miss Wolcott came in and asked if I could give
her something to make her sleep. She said she was
too nervous to sleep. And I noticed she seemed all
out of a tremble. Her hands were shaking when she
took the packet. Did you tell Bede all that? I
guess I did. Did he ask you any other questions?
(05:13):
Not about miss Wolcott? He looked a long time at
Miss Eliot's account. Let me see it. Then the clerk
turned the pages. We charge everything that has prescribed for
any one at the school to miss Eliot's account and
show on our bill who it was for, said the clerk.
That's what these names mean. He pointed to the names
(05:37):
Miss Jones, Miss Beatley, et cetera, opposite each item. Lyon
was distinctly startled to catch the name Miss Tainter at
frequent intervals. Has she been ill? He asked, with quick concern,
and then added lamely, she's a sort of cousin of mine.
(05:58):
The clerk grinned Gunther's chocolates. Oh. Lion studied the entries
assiduously for the next few moments. Among the latest were
a number of charges for missus w B. Had that
meant anything to Bede? Did Bede ask about any of them?
(06:20):
In particular? He inquired by way of answering his own query.
He wanted to know who missus w B was? What
did you tell him? Told him they were doctor Barry's prescriptions.
They were marked that way. That's all I know. Remember
anything else, he asked about. No, that's about all. Lyon
(06:46):
went into the telephone booth and called up doctor Barry.
Hello Barry, this is Lion. I want to know how
missus w B is getting along? Now? See here, Lion
don't you think you are crowding things a little? There
really hasn't been time for any radical change since noon.
(07:08):
What do you mean I told you at noon she
was not to be disturbed for several days. Yet told me, well,
I told the boy who telephoned for you. I have
not authorized anyone to telephone for me. What why someone
(07:29):
telephoned in your name? And you have been such a
nuisance about the case that I thought, of course it
was you again. Did you happen to mention the lady's
name or only her initials? Asked lyon, Barry hesitated so
long in answering that Lion could only draw the most
serious conclusion. I can't say, Barry answered, with some constraint.
(07:56):
It's important I should know, Barry, you know she was
very desirous of keeping her visit here unknown, and if
you have been giving it away, I must at least
know the facts so as to head off trouble if possible.
He threw all his earnestness into his voice, and Barry
yielded a reluctant reply, saying, it is possible that I did.
(08:20):
I thought it was your message. Did he ask anything
else in particular? No excuse me, I'm very busy, and
the phone shut off Lyon walked out and back up
Hemlock Avenue. He was breathing quickly, as though he had
been running. If I were Bede, I think I should
(08:42):
be rather proud of myself, making two such halls as
that in one morning. At this rate, Bede will soon
know all that I know myself and a little more.
He said to himself. Is it possible that he will
attach any significance to miss Wolcott's purchase of a so
porific on the fatal twenty fifth? Good Lord, I wish
(09:05):
she had stayed at home that evening. That visit to
the druggist at half past nine brings her very close
to the scene of the murder. Did she go for
a sleeping powder before or after the murder? Is it possible?
After all? He shook his head impatiently at his own suggestion.
(09:26):
At any rate, I must let Howell know at once
that Bede has discovered missus Broughton. Something will come from that,
and soon I suspect we'll have to defy dear doctor Barry.
He deserves the limit of the law. He was within
half a block of Oldhun's He determined to go there
(09:47):
to telephone. It was the nearest place, and incidentally it
would enable him to get Kitty's latest report on Missus
Broughton's condition. As he entered the hall, Olden met him.
If indeed this wild eyed man whose goggles lay crushed
on the floor, and whose white wig sat askew upon
(10:08):
his own black hair, could be the sedate and decorus Oldham,
he fairly hurled himself at lyon, crushing his arm with
an iron grasp. The curtain is down. Have you seen?
What does it mean? Where is she? Has she gone away?
Can't you speak? What do you know about it? Where
(10:30):
has she gone? His questions piled one upon another, unintelligibly,
What in the world do you mean? Gasped lyon the curtain.
He tore himself away and rushed upstairs to his window.
Kitty's curtain was down to the very bottom in the
left hand window, gone, he exclaimed, in blank bewilderment. Olden
(10:56):
had followed close. She pulled the curtain down just now,
just before you came in. I was watching. I have
been watching all the time. I saw her come and
pull it down. How did you know about the curtains?
Asked Lyon, realizing for the first time that Oldin was
betraying knowledge that he was not supposed to have. I
(11:20):
heard what you said at the phone. I knew what
you came here for. Of course, that's why I let
you come. You were to help me watch without knowing it.
And now she is gone, slipped away from before our
very eyes. Who are you Woods Broughton? He pronounced the
(11:41):
name with careless impatience, as though he had never tried
to keep it a secret. What are you going to do?
We must find her, come downstairs, said Lyon, adjusting himself
to the new situation. We must telephone to Howell. Howell
was not an imagine of man, and it took some
(12:01):
time to make him grasp the double idea that missus
Broughton had disappeared and that Lyon's landlord had suddenly turned
out to be Broughton himself. The whole thing was irregular,
and he felt himself confused and embarrassed, but he agreed
that he must come at once for a consultation. I
(12:22):
think we shall get along better if we are quite frank,
said Lyon. While they were waiting for Howell. Will you
explain your object in disguising yourself so that we may
know just where we stand in relation to each other.
To find out what her secret was, Broughton answered passionately.
(12:43):
He clenched his hands till the knuckles were white, and
his heavy featured face, shaped by half a century of
business life into lines of impassive self control, was wrenched
by emotion that was half pitiful, half ludicrous. To find
out what hold this man Lawrence has upon her? To
(13:03):
kill him? Perhaps Lawrence? Good? Heavens? What nonsense? Cried Lyon.
What made you connect her with Lawrence in any way?
I told you that it was a letter that came
from Wayne Scott that first upset her. She had been
happy before that. I swear it. She was happy and
(13:25):
content as my wife. Then his letters came. What made
you think they were from him? Did you see any
of them? I found one partly burnt in the fireplace
in her bedroom. I could make out the signature plainly.
It was Arthur Lawrence. You could read nothing else. No,
(13:49):
But I found her unfinished answer in her writing desk.
What did she say? Asked Lyon, in a calm voice.
Broughton struggled to get keep his voice steady. She said,
that she was the most unhappy woman in the world. God,
I had been so happy that he had been right
(14:09):
in warning her against marrying me, and that she must
see him. I had no chance to read more, for
she was coming, and I could not let her suspect
I had seen anything. But I made my plans from
that moment. I told her that I was called away
on a sudden business trip, as I expected. As soon
(14:30):
as I was off, she started for Wainscott. I followed
her in this disguise. She went at once to Lawrence's office,
his law office in the Equity Building. Yes, then she
went to Miss Elliot's. That was on a Monday. Monday night,
(14:50):
you will remember Lawrence killed Fullerton and the next day
he was arrested. That stopped their plans. Whatever they were
up her room at Miss Elliott's, and I took this house,
which happened to be vacant, so that I could keep
a close watch on her. She has never gone out.
Doctor Barry has been to see her, as you know.
(15:13):
I have had Phillips get a daily report from Barry
under color of wiring to me. Then you came along,
mister Lyon. I had seen and heard enough to know
that you were a friend of Lawrence's. So I took
you in because I wanted to know everything about him
that I could, and I knew that for some reason,
(15:34):
you were watching Grace. Phillips had tracked you there several times,
and he followed you into the floors shop and got
possession of Grace's order for unlimited flowers to be sent
to Lawrence, her flowers for him. I wonder I have
kept my senses, but I could do nothing but wait
(15:54):
until Lawrence was released, as Grace was waiting over there
for his release, and pretend to be surprised. You know
yourself the connection between them. That's why you have been
keeping a watch on her. I saw that from the
room you selected. You are quite right as to that,
(16:14):
though I think you are quite wrong as to other things.
What other things about Lawrence? He isn't that sort of
a man. If anyone had a hold upon Missus Broughton,
it would seem to have been Fullerton. Fullerton. You have
been very frank, mister Broughton, and it is only fair
(16:37):
that I should be equally frank. We have been very
anxious to have an interview with Missus Broughton as soon
as her health would permit Howell and I because we
have reason to believe that she may be able to
throw some light upon the Fullerton murder. She may be
wanted as a witness. You are mad, utterly mad, gasped Broughton.
(17:00):
What could she possibly know about that she was with
Fullerton when he left the Wellington at eight o'clock. I
don't believe it. I don't think there can be much
question about that. She had obviously been to consult him
on some legal matters. But frankly, we only know enough
(17:22):
to make it very important. We should know more, and
we have been very anxious to avoid publicity if possible,
for her own sake and possibly for Lawrence's. Poor Broughton
looked dazed. I don't understand. Fullerton was her lawyer? Yes,
(17:43):
and do you think she was with him when Lawrence
killed him? We are in hopes that she may be
able to explain what did actually happen. She certainly was
with Fullerton earlier in the evening. Beyond that, we don't
know anything, and we really haven't even a coherent theory.
But it was Lawrence with whom she was corresponding. It
(18:07):
was Lawrence who had wanted to marry her, and who
would not go to her wedding. It was Lawrence who
came to see her. As soon as my back was turned,
Lyon shook his head. You don't know what lies under
all that Fullerton may have had some hold on her,
and Lawrence may have been acting as her friend. Merely, Ah,
(18:30):
here is Howell. He will tell us what to do. Now.
Howell had had time to adjust his mind to the facts.
Lyon had telephoned, and when he came in he seemed
more curious regarding the personality of the famous man before
him than anything else. Lyon explained briefly what he had
told Broughton about the situation. Well, now, mister Broughton, you
(18:55):
know as much as we do, said Howell. You see
that it is high important we should get at missus
Broughton's testimony. Barry has been keeping me off. So this
young man evolved a somewhat fantastic plan of getting inside
information as to her condition. I hope the code has
missed fire somehow, for it would be exceedingly unfortunate if
(19:18):
the prosecution should get hold of her before we do.
It is quite on the cards, mister Broughton, that we
may want you to take your wife away quite out
of reach as a witness. It depends on what she
has to tell us, and that we must find out
as soon as possible. How if she is gone, that
(19:41):
is the first thing for us to ascertain lyon. You
must take me over to miss Elliott's school at once.
We want to find out all we can and immediately.
If I may make a suggestion, mister Broughton, you will
await our return here instead of accompanying us. It may
possibly prove that your disguise should not be disclosed at
(20:02):
this juncture. Broughton did not demur. He was obviously too
much overwhelmed by the uncertainties of the situation to take
the initiative in any direction. Don't belong, he said, with
a wistfulness that sat strangely on his heavy features. If
she has really gone, I must know it. I must
(20:25):
have the police search the town for her at once.
Howell and Lyon walked away, leaving him standing in the
doorway looking after them in helpless impotence. That complicates things,
said Howell. Lyon nodded. If there is any connection between
Lawrence and missus Broughton, there isn't of the sort. He
(20:49):
thinks if there is any connection, it may supply the
motive for the assault on Fullerton. I'm afraid we aren't
going to get much help for our side from this interview,
but I'd rather know the worse than be tied up
in ignorance. If missus Broughton will talk, well, we shall
(21:10):
soon see, said Howell as he rang Miss Elliott's bell,
end of Chapter sixteen.
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