Mary Roberts Rinehart

“ Synopsis—-For years old Hilary Kingston lived with his daughter, Elinor, in a beautiful home on a hill in the suburban village of Woffingham. The neighbors knew nothing about the establishment, except that the father was quite wealthy, and the daughter very good looking and gentle. In reality Kingston was head of an anarchist band, composed of Huff, Boroday, Talbot and Lethbridge, that robbed the rich and gave to the poor and oppressed. One day old Hilary was shot dead, and the course of life changed abruptly for his daughter. ”

“ By common consent, such gems, stripped of their settings, were put aside for Elinor. They meant nothing to her. Had anyone told her that for several years her share had been greater in actual value than all the money that had fallen to her father she would not have believed it....
Four days or so after the annual meeting, the rector of Saint Jude's was always asked to dinner. And although the reverend gentleman would under normal circumstances have been fishing in Canada, he never went until this function was over. For old Hilary, detesting his creed, respected the man. ”

“ Boroday met Ward in the hall. Old Hilary was upstairs by that time, lying in his great bed. All the doors and windows were open, and sunshine filled the rooms. Ward thought it an unusually sane house of mourning.
"I'm glad to see the sun," he said. "So many people close things up."
"Miss Kingston wished things undisturbed."
"I came to tell her—but I suppose she doesn't car© to see anyone—the rector is away on a holiday. I'll wire him, of course."
Boroday led the way into the library where the rector had so recently received his check. He turned and eyed Ward. ”

“ There are two direct routes to the clearing house: one along one of the great avenues, the other through the newspaper district. Here, at ten-thirty in the morning, things are rather quiet, and except for vans delivering rolls of paper, there is little traffic. ”