Carolyn Wells
Published: 2013-09
Total Pages: 64
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1914 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XV WHO WROTE THE LETTER? The next day was Sunday. As the inquest was not to be continued, I hoped for a quiet day; but aside from the necessary arrangements for funeral appointments, there seemed to be much going on in the way of investigations. Mr. Markham had developed a tendency to question everybody, right and left, and I continually ran against him interviewing a servant, a guest or a caller. I hung around somewhat listlessly, hoping to be permitted to see Anne; but Miss Fordyce informed me that Anne refused to see anyone except her two step-children. I strolled out on the terrace, hoping to have a talk with Archer, but instead, I met Mr. Markham and he proceeded briskly to interview me. I had no objection to this, as although there were a few things I knevv DEGREESthat I intended to keep from him, I was quite willing to give him freely any other information I possessed. But his talk after all, was a repetition of what I already knew, or a verbose disquisition on his own theories and plans. As we talked, Mrs. Carstairs came out on the terrace, and after a cautious glance about, she glided up to us, with a mysterious air. "May I speak to you a minute, Mr. Markham?" she said, and though I disliked and distrusted the woman, I could not help admiring her beauty and grace. She was truly unusual in her charm, and Markham beamed on her with a smile at once admiring and deferential. "Shall I remain? " I asked, --and for the life of me I couldn't help speaking kindly to her, --" or do I intrude?" "Not at all," she replied; " I should be glad, Mr. Sturgis, for you to hear what I have to say. I am in a dilemma, and I don't know exactly what I ought to do. I found this," and she produced a letter, which, with a hesitating air, she offered to Mr....