Carolyn Wells

“ There’s a lot you ought to know, well, never mind it now—but when the time comes, we’ll work it out together.”
“Very well,” and Barham looked stern. “I am ready to do anything to shield my wife’s name or reputation. I can’t take up the matter now, I’ve pressing engagements—but I will do just as you advise, Nick, except as to sending Mrs. Selden away. That I can’t do, unless she’s willing to go. If you can persuade her—for Heaven’s sake, do!” ”

“ Barham told her she would be here at eleven or shortly after. But, as I say, no one ever depended on Mrs. Barham’s word in such matters. She came and went, when and where she would.”
“Did you ever hear her speak of Mr. Locke?”
“Never! It’s the queerest thing. I should as soon have thought of hearing she had gone to the Battery as to Washington Square! I never knew her to go any place south of Fiftieth Street before! To a party, I mean. Who is the man?”
“An artist—apparently a gentleman.” ”

“ If he’s in love with her, he’ll communicate with her, sure as shooting. But, as I see it, she’s a hero worshiper and he’s her hero. Which is a very different matter.”
“But she must be kept in view,” Hutchins persisted.
“Keep her, then. I incline more to the idea that Locke is somehow mixed up with Mrs, Barham’s affairs. It may be indirectly—but she never went to that party without some big vital reason for going. ”

“ Nelson brought him the report of what had been done at the police inquiry, and Barham listened gravely to his recital.
“I’ve so many things on my mind, Nick,” he said, “that I can’t remember all you’re telling me. But that doesn’t matter, for I sent a stenographer down there, and I shall have the full account whenever I get ready to read it over. But you give me the salient points. I suppose they’ve no word from or of Mr. Locke?”
“No, they haven’t, and that of course is not surprising. Of course, Drew, the artist is either responsible for the deed—or he knows who is. ”

“ Nelson went off, and Barham fell into one of the brown studies which were frequent with him of late.
And not the least of his quandaries was the fact that people were acting queer. His own most intimate friends stood by him loyally. Men called or wrote or telephoned with sincere offers of help, sympathy and understanding. ”

“ Gardner, did you not?”
“Oh, yes, she was due here at eleven.”
“And when she failed to come, did you telephone or make any inquiry?”
“Oh, no; Madeleine was a law unto herself. If she chose to break an engagement at the last minute, she did so without a word. And it didn’t matter that way. It isn’t a club, or anything like that. We just have a friendly game now and then, and if any one doesn’t come, there are plenty of others.”
“You think Mrs. Barham expected to come on here after she had made a stay at the Locke party?” ”

“ A confab with Inspector Dickson took place soon after, and the two men agreed that if the mystery was to be cleared up it would be done through investigations starting at the Barham end and not from the Locke house.
“She’s the one to run down,” Dickson said, though Hutchins’ more sensitive nature winced at this way of putting it. “The wrong begins with her—wherever it leads to. Maybe Locke is entirely innocent. ”

“ Oh, rather! She insists on enough pomp and ceremony for a Queen of England, at least. And, I’m glad for her to have her way—it’s her own daughter, you know, but she changes all the details every few hours. ”