THE GOLF COURSE MYSTERY by Chester K. Steele

8/2/2019 THE GOLF COURSE MYSTERY by Chester K. Steele

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THEGOLFCOURSEMYSTERY

byChesterK.Steele

CONTENTS

IPUTTINGOUTIITHENINETEENTHHOLEIII"Why?"IVVIOLA'SDECISIONVHARRY'SMISSIONVIByAQUIETSTREAMVIITHEINQUESTVIIIONSUSPICIONIX58C.H--161*XAWATERHAZARDXIPOISONOUSPLANTSXIIBLOSSOM'SSUSPICIONSXIIICAPTAINPOLANDCONFESSES

XIVTHEPRIVATESAFEXVPOORFISHINGXVISOMELETTERSXVIIOVERTHETELEPHONEXVIIIALARGEBLONDELADYXIX"UNKNOWN"XXAMEETINGXXITHELIBRARYPOSTAXXIITHELARGEBLONDEAGAINXXIIIMOROCCOKATE,ALLYXXIVSTILLWATERS

CHAPTERI.PUTTINGOUT

Therewasnothinginthatclear,calmday,withitsblueskyanditsfloodingsunshine,tosuggestintheslightestdegreetheawfultragedysocloseathand--thattragedywhichsopuzzledtheauthoritiesandwhichcamesoclosetowreckingthehappinessofseveralinnocentpeople.

Thewatersoftheinletsparkledlikesilver,andoverthosewaterspoisedtheosprey,hisrapidlymovingwingsandfan-spreadtail

suspendinghimalmoststationaryinonespot,while,witheagerandfar-seeingeyes,hepeeredintothedepthsbelow.Thebirdwasadarkblotchagainsttheperfectblueskyforseveralseconds,andthen,suddenlyfoldinghispinionsandclosinghistail,hedarteddownwardlikeabombdroppedfromanaeroplane.

Therewasasplashinthewater,ashowerofsparklingdropsastheospreyarose,afishvainlystrugglinginitstalons,andfromadustygrayroadster,whichhadhaltedalongthehighwaywhiletheoccupantwatchedthehawk,therecameanexclamationofsatisfaction.


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"Didyouseethat,Harry?"calledtheoccupantofthegraycartoaslightlybuilt,bronzedcompanioninamachineofvividyellow,christenedbysomewhohadriddeninitthe"SpanishOmelet.""Didyouseethatkill?Ascleanasahound'stooth,andnotalostmotionofafeather.Somesport-thatfish-hawk!Gad!"

"Yes,itwasaneatbitofwork,Gerry.Butratheroutofkeepingwiththeday."

"Outofkeeping?Whatdoyoumean?"

"Well,outoftune,ifyoulikethatbetter.It'saltogethertooperfectadayforakillingofanysort,seemstome."

"Oh,you'regettingsentimentalallatonce,aren'tyou,Harry?"askedCaptainGerryPoland,withjustthetraceofacovertsneerinhisvoice."Isupposeyouwouldn'thaveevenafish-hawkgetamuchneededmealonabright,sunshinyday,when,ifever,hemusthaveawhaleofanappetite.You'dhavehimwaituntilitwasdarkandgloomyandrainy,withanorth-eastwindblowing,andallthatsortofthing.Nowforme,akillisakill,nomatterwhattheweather."

"Thebetterthedaytheworsethedeed,Isuppose,"andHarryBartlett

smiledasheleanedforwardpreparatorytothrowingtheswitchofhismachine'sself-starter,forbothautomobileshadcometoastoptowatchtheosprey.

"Oh,well,Idon'tknowthatthedayhasanythingtodowithit,"saidthecaptain--acourtesytitle,bestowedbecausehewaspresidentoftheMaraposaYachtClub."Iwasjustinterestedinthecleanwaythebeggardivedafterthatfish.Flounder,wasn'tit?"

"Yes,thoughusuallythebirdsaregladenoughtogetamoss-bunker.Well,thefishwillsoonbeadeadone,Isuppose."

"Yes,foodforthelittleospreys,Iimagine.Well,it'sagooddeathto

die--servingsomeusefulpurpose,evenifit'sonlytobeeaten.Gad!Ididn'texpecttogetonsuchagruesomesubjectwhenwestartedout.Bytheway,speakingofkillings,Iexpecttomakeaneatoneto-dayonthiscup-winners'match."

"How?Ididn'tknowtherewasmuchbetting."

"Oh,butthereis;andI'vepickedupsometidyoddsagainstourfriendCarwell.I'mtakinghisend,andIthinkhe'sgoingtowin."

"Betterbecareful,Gerry.Golfisanuncertaingame,especiallywhenthere'samatchonamongtheoldboyslikeHoraceCarwellandthecrowdofpast-performersandcup-winnershetrailsalongwith.He'sjustas

likelytopullorsliceastheveriestnovice,andoncehestartstoslidehe'sagoner.Noreservecomeback,youknow."

"Oh,I'mnotsosureaboutthat.He'llbeallrightifhe'llletthechampagnealonebeforehestartstoplay.I'mbankingonhim.AtthesametimeIhaven'tbetallmymoney.I'veatenspotleftthatsaysIcanbeatyoutotheclubhouse,evenifoneofmycylindershasbeenmissingthelasttwomiles.Howaboutit?"

"You'reon!"saidHarryBartlettshortly.


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Therewasathrobfromeachmachineastheelectricmotorsstartedtheengines,andthentheyshotdownthewideroadincloudsofdust--thesinistergraycarandthemoreshowyyellow--whileabovethem,drivingitstalonsdeeperintothesidesofthefishithadcaught,theospreycircledofftowarditsnestofroughsticksinadeadpinetreeontheedgeoftheforest.

Andonthewhiteoftheflounderappearedbrightredspotsofblood,someofwhichdrippedtothegroundasthecrueltalonscloseduntiltheymetinside.

Itwasonlyalittletragedy,suchaswentoneverydayintheinletandadjacentocean,andyet,somehow,HarryBartlett,ashedroveonwithever-increasingspeedinanendeavortogainalengthonhisopponent,couldnothelpthinkingofitincontrasttotheperfectblueofthesky,inwhichtherewasnotacloud.Wasitprophetic?

Ruddy-facedmen,bronze-facedmen,pale-facedmen;youngwomen,girls,matronsand"flappers";caddiesburdenedwithbagsofgolfclubsandpocketsbulgingwithcunninglyfoundballs;skillfulwaitershurryinghereandtherewithtraysonwhichglassesofvariousshapes,sizes,andofdiversifiedcontentstinkledmusically-suchwasthesceneattheMaraposaClubonthisJunemorningwhenCaptainGerryPolandandHarry

Bartlettwereracingtheircarstowardit.

ItwasthechiefdayoftheyearfortheMaraposaGolfClub,foronitweretobeplayedseveralmatches,nottheleastinimportancebeingthatofthecup-winners,openonlytosuchmembersashadwonprizesinhotlycontestedcontestsonthehomelinks.

Inspiteofthefactthatonthisdaythereweretobeplayedseveralmatches,inwhichvisitingandlocalchampionsweretotrytheirskillagainstoneanother,tothedelightofalargegallery,interestcenteredinthecup-winners'battle.Foritwasrumored,andnotwithoutsemblanceoftruth,thatlargesumsofmoneywouldchangehandsontheresult.

Notthatitwasgambling-oh,myno!Infactanylayingofwagerswasstrictlyprohibitedbytheclub'sconstitution.Buttherearewaysandmeansofgettingcattlethroughafencewithouttakingdownthebars,andtherewastalkthatHoraceCarwellhadmadeaprettystiffbetwithMajorTurpinWardellastotheoutcomeofthematch,themajorandMr.Carwellbeingrivalsoflongstandinginthematterofdrivesandputts.

"Beastlyfineday,eh,what?"exclaimedBruceGarrigan,ashesetdownonatrayawaiterheldouttohimaglasshehadjustemptiedwitheveryindicationofdelightinitscontents."Ifithadbeenmadetoordercouldn'tbeimprovedon,"andheflickedfromthelapelofTomSharwell'scoatsomeasheswhichhadblowntherefromthecigarette

whichGarriganhadlighted.

"You'rerightforonce,Bruce,oldman,"wasthelaughingresponse."Nevermindtheashesnow,you'llmakeaspotifyourubanyharder."

"Rightforonce?'malwaysright!"criedGarrigan"Anditmayinterestyoutoknowthatthetotalprecipitation,includingrainandmeltedsnowinYuma,Arizona,forthecalendaryear1917,wasthreeandonetenthinches,beingthesmallestintheUnitedStates."


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"Itdoesn'tinterestmeabit,Bruce!"laughedSharwell."Andtopreventyougettinganymoreofthosestatisticsoutofyoursystem,comeonoverandwe'lldoalittleprecipitatingonourownaccount.IcanstandanotherBronxcocktail."

"I'mwithyou!But,speakingofstatistics,didyouknowthatfromthenationalforestsoftheUnitedStatesinthelastyeartherewascut840,612,030boardfeetoflumber?WhatthethirtyfeetwereforIdon'tknow,but--"

"AndIdon'tcaretoknow,"interruptedTom."Ifyouspringanymoreofthosebeastlydryfigures--Say,therecomessomethingthatdoesinterestme,though!"hebrokeinwith."Lookatthosecarstakethatturn!"

"Somespeed,"murmuredGarrigan."It'sBartlettandPoland,"hewenton,asashiftofwindblewthedusttoonesideandrevealedthegrayroadsterandtheSpanishOmelet."Therivalsareatitagain."

BruceGarrigan,whohadanameamongthegolfclubmembersasahumanencyclopaedia,andwho,attimes,wouldinformhiscompanionsonalmostanysubjectthatchancedtocomeuppermost,tossedawayhiscigaretteand,withTomSharwell,watchedtheoncomingautomobileracers.

"They'rerivalsinmorewaysthanone,"remarkedSharwell."Andit

looks,now,asthoughthecaptainratherhadtheedgeonHarry,inspiteofthefastcolorofHarry'scar."

"That'sright,"admittedGarrigan."IsittruewhatI'veheardaboutbothofthem-thateachhopestoplacethediamondhoopofproprietorshiponthefairViola?"

"Iguessifyou'veheardthatthey'rebothtryingforher,it'strueenough,"answeredSharwell."Anditalsohappens,ifthatoldlady,Mrs.G.0.5.Sipp,istobebelieved,thatthere,also,thecaptainhastheadvantage."

"How'sthat?IthoughtHarryhadmadeatidysumonthatship-building

projectheputthrough."

"Hedid,butitseemsthatheandhisfamilyhaveapenchantfordoingthatsortofthing,and,someyearsago,inoneofthebigmergersinwhichhisfamilytookaprominentpart,they,orsomeoneconnectedwiththem,pinchedtheHonorableHoraceCarwellsothathesquealedformercylikealambledtotheWallstreetslaughterhouse."

"Sothat'sthegame,isit?"

"Yes.Andeversincethen,thoughViolaCarwellhasbeenjustasnicetoHarryasshehastoGerry--asfarasanyonecantell-therehasbeentalkthatHarryispersonanongrataasfarasherfathergoes.Henever

forgivesanybusinessbeat,Iunderstand."

"Wasitanythingserious?"askedGarrigan,astheywatchedtheracingautomobilesswingaroundtheturnoftheroadthatledtotheclubhouse.

"Idon'tknowtheparticulars.Itwasbeforemytime--ImeanbeforeIpaidmuchattentiontobusiness."

"Rot!Youdon'tnow.Youonlythinkyoudo.ButI'minterested.IexpecttohavesomebusinessdealingwithCarwellmyself,andifIcouldgeta


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line--"

"Sorry,butIcan'thelpyouout,oldman.BetterseeHarry.Heknowsthewholestory,andheinsiststhatitwasallstraightonhisrelatives'part.Butit'slikeshakingamincepieataThanksgivingturkeytomentionthemattertoCarwell.Hehasn'tgonesofarastoforbidHarrythehouse,butthere'sabitofcoldnessjustthesame."

"Isee.Andthat'swhythecaptainhastheinsideedgeonthelovegame.Well,MissCarwellhasamindofherown,Ifancy."

"Indeedshehas!She'smorelikehermotherusedtobe.IrememberMrs.CarwellwhenIwasaboy.Shewasadear,somewhatconventionallady.HowsheevercametotakeupwiththesportyHorace,orhewithher,wasaseven-days'wonder.Buttheylivedhappily,Ibelieve."

"ThenMrs.Carwellisdead?"

"Oh,yes-someyears.Mr.Carwell'ssister,MissMary,keepsTheHavenuptodateforhim.You'vebeenthere?"

"Once,atareception.I'mnotontheregularcallinglist,thoughMissViolaisprettyenoughto--"

"Lookout!"suddenlycriedSharwell,asthoughappealingtothetwoautomobilists,faroffastheywere.Fortheyellowcarmadeasuddenswerveandseemedabouttoturnturtle.

ButBartlettskillfullybroughttheSpanishOmeletbackontheroadagain,andswungupalongsidehisrivalforthehomestretch-thebroadhighwaythatraninfrontoftheclubhouse.

Theplayerswhoweresoontostartoutonthelinks;theguests,thegallery,andtheservantsgatheredtoseethefinishoftheimprompturace,murmursarisingasitwasseenhowcloseitwaslikelytobe.Andcloseitwas,forwhenthetwomachines,withdolefulwhiningsofbrakes,cametoastopinfrontofthehouse,thefrontwheelswerein

suchperfectalignmentthattherewasscarcelyaninchofdifference.

"Adeadheat!"exclaimedBartlett,asheleapedoutandmotionedforoneoftheservantstotakethecararoundtothegarage.

"Yes,youwin!"agreedCaptainPoland,ashepushedhisgogglesbackonhiscap.Heheldoutabill.

"What'sitfor?"askedBartlett,drawingback.

"Why,IputupatenspotthatI'dbeatyou.Ididn't,andyouwin."

"Buydrinkswithyourmoney!"laughedBartlett."Theracewastobefor

afinish,notadeadheat.We'lltryitagain,sometime."

"Allright-anytimeyoulike!"saidthecaptaincrisply,ashesatdownatatableaftergreetingsomefriends."Butyouwon'trefusetosplitaquartwithme?"

"No.Mythroatisasdustyasavacuumcleaner.Haveanyofthematchesstartedyet,Bruce?"heasked,turningtotheHumanEncyclopedia.

"Onlysomeofthenovices.And,speakingofnovices,doyouknowthatin


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Scotlandtherearefourteenthousand,sevenhundred--"

"Cutit,Bruce!Cutit!"beggedthecaptain."Sitin--youandTom--andwe'llmakeittwobottles.Anythingtochokeoffyourflowofuselessstatistics!"andhelaughedgood-naturedly.

"Whendoesthecup-winners'matchstart?"askedBartlett,asthefouryoungmensataboutthetableundertheveranda."That'stheoneI'minterestedin."

"Inaboutanhour,"announcedSharwell,asheconsultedacard."Hardlyanyoftheveteransarehereyet."

"HasMr.Carwellarrived?"askedCaptainPoland,asheraisedhisglassandseemedtobestudyingthebubblesthatspiraledupwardfromthehollowstem.

"You'llknowwhenhegetshere,"answeredBruceGarrigan.

"Howso?"askedthecaptain."Doeshehaveanofficialannouncer?"

"No,butyou'llhearhiscarbeforeyouseeit."

"Newhorn?"

"No,newcar-newcolor-neweverything!"saidGarrigan."He'sjustboughtanewtenthousanddollarFrenchcar,andit'spaintedred,whiteandblue,and-"

"Red,whiteandblue?"chorusedtheotherthreemen.

"Yes.Verypatriotic.Hisfriendsdon'tknowwhetherhe'shonoringUncleSamortheFrenchRepublic.However,it'sallthesame.Hiscarisawonder."

"Imusthaveabrushwithhim!"murmuredCaptainPoland.

"Don't.You'llloseout,"advisedGarrigan."Itcandoeightyonfourthspeed,andCarwellissportyenoughtoslipitintothatgearifheneededto."

"Um!GuessI'llwaituntilIgetmynewmachine,then,"decidedthecaptain.

Therewasmoretalk,butBartlettgraduallydroppedoutoftheconversationandwenttowalkabouttheclubgrounds.

Maraposawasasocial,aswellasagolfing,club,andthesceneofmanydancesandotheraffairs.ItlayafewmilesbackfromtheshorenearLakeside,inNewJersey.Theclubhousewaslargeandelaborate,andthe

groundsarounditwerespaciousandwelllaidout.

NotfarawaywasLochHarbor,wheretheyachtsoftheclubofwhichCaptainGerryPolandwaspresidentanchored,andamileorsointheoppositedirectionwasLakeTacoma,ontheshoreofwhichwasLakeside.Aratherexclusivecolonysummeredthere,thehotelnumberingmanywealthypersonsamongitspatrons.

HarryBartlett,ratherwishinghehadgoneinforgolfmoredevotedly,waswanderingabout,casuallygreetingfriendsandacquaintances,


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whenheheardhisnamecalledfromthecoolandshadydepthsofasummer-houseontheedgeofthegolflinks.

"Oh,Minnie!Howareyou?"hecordiallygreetedarathertallanddarkgirlwhoextendedherslimhandtohim."Ididn'texpecttoseeyoutoday."

"Oh,Itakeinallthebigmatches,thoughIdon'tplaymuchmyself,"answeredMinnieWebb."I'msurprisedtofindyouwithoutacaddy,though,Harry."

"Toolazy,I'mafraid.I'mgoingtojointhegalleryto-day.Meanwhile,ifyoudon'tmind,I'llsitinhereandhelpyoukeepcool."

"Itisn'tveryhardtodothatto-day,"andshemovedovertomakeroomforhim."Isn'titjustperfectweather!"

AtonetimeMinnieWebbandHarryBartletthadbeenveryclosefriends--engagedsomerumorshadit.Butnowtheywerejollygoodcompanions,thatwasall.

"SeentheCarwells'newmachine?"askedBartlett.

"No,butI'veheardaboutit.Ipresumethey'lldriveupinitto-day."

"DoesViolarunit?"

"Ihaven'theard.It'sapowerfulmachine,someonesaid-moreofaracerthanatouringcar,Mr.Blossomwasremarking."

"Well,heoughttoknow.Iunderstandhe'ssoontobetakenintopartnershipwithMr.Carwell."

"Idon'tknow,"murmuredMinnie,andsheseemedsuddenlyverymuchinterestedintheveinstructureofaleafshepulledfromavinethatcoveredthesummer-house.

Bartlettsmiled.GossiphaditthatMinnieWebbandLeGrandBlossom,Mr.Carwell'sprivatesecretary,wereengaged.Buttherehadbeennoformalannouncement,thoughthetwohadbeenseentogethermorefrequentlyoflatethanmerefriendshipwouldwarrant.

Therewasastirinfrontoftheclubhouse,followedbyamurmurofvoices,andMinnie,peeringthroughaspaceinthevines,announced:

"There'sthebigcarnow.Oh,Idon'tlikethatcoloratall!I'maspatrioticasanyone,buttodaubaperfectlygoodcaruplikethat--well,it's--"

"Sporty,IsupposeCarwellthinks,"finishedBartlett.Hehadrisenas

thoughtoleavethesummerhouse,butashesawCaptainPolandstepupandofferhishandtoViolaCarwell,hedrewbackandagainsatdownbesideMinnie.

AgroupgatheredaboutthebigFrenchcar,obviouslytothedelightofMr.Carwell,whowasproudofthefurorcreatedbyhislatestpurchase.

ThoughhekeptuphistalkwithMinnieinthesummer-house,HarryBartlett'sattentionwasveryplainlynotonhispresentcompanionnortheconversation.AtanyothertimeMinnieWebbwouldhavenoticedit


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andtaxedhimwithit,butnow,she,too,hadherattentioncenteredelsewhere.Shewatchedeagerlythegroupaboutthebigmachine,andhereyesfollowedthefigureofamanwhodescendedfromtherearseatandmadehiswayoutalongapaththatledtoaquietspot.

"IthinkI'llgoinnow,"murmuredMinnieWebb."Ihavetosee--"Bartlettwasnotlistening.Infacthewasgladofthediversion,forhesawViolaCarwellturnwithwhathethoughtwasimpatienceasidefromCaptainPoland,andthatwastheverychancetheotheryoungmanhadbeenwaitingfor.

HefollowedMinnieWebbfromthelittlepavilion,payingnoattentiontowhereshedrifted.ButhemadehiswaythroughthepressofpersonstowhereViolastood,andhesawhereyeslightupasheapproached.His,too,seemedbrighter.

"Iwaswonderingifyouwouldcometoseedadwin,"shemurmuredtohim,ashetookherhand,andCaptainPoland,withalittlebow,steppedback.

"YouknewI'dcome,didn'tyou?"Bartlettaskedinalowvoice.

"Ihopedso,"shemurmured."Now,Harry,"shewentoninalowvoice,astheymovedaside,"thiswillbeagoodtimeforyoutosmooth

thingsoverwithfather.Ifhewins,ashefeelssurehewill,youmustcongratulatehimveryheartily--exceptionallyso.Makeafussoverhim,sotospeak.He'llbeclubchampion,anditwillseemnaturalforyoutobubbleoveraboutit."

"ButwhyshouldI,Viola?Ihaven'tdoneanythingtomerithisdispleasure."

"Iknow.Butyourememberwhatatouch-fireheis.He'salwaysheldthatbusinessmatteragainstyou,thoughI'msureyouhadnothingtodowithit.Now,ifhewins,andIhopehewill,youcantakeadvantageofittogetonbettertermswithhim,and--"

"Well,I'mwillingtobefriends,youknowthat,Viola.ButIcan'tpretend--Inevercould!"

"You'restubborn,Harry!"andViolapouted.

"Well,perhapsIam.WhenIknowI'mright--"

"Couldn'tyouforgetitjustonce?"

"Idon'tseehow!"

"Oh,youprovokeme!Butifyouwon'tyouwon't,Isuppose.Onlyitwouldbesuchagoodchance--"

"Well,I'llseehimafterthematch,Viola.I'lldomybesttobedecent."

"Youmustgoalittlefartherthanthat,Harry.Dadwillbeallworkedupifhewins,andhe'llwantafussmadeoverhim.Itwillbetheverychanceforyou."

"Allright-I'lldomybest,"murmuredBartlett.Andthenaservantcameuptosummonhimtothetelephone.


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Violawasnotleftlongalone,forCaptainPolandwaswatchingherfromthetailofhiseye,andhewasathersidebeforeHarryBartlettwasoutofsight.

"Perhapsyou'dliketocomeforalittlespinwithme,MissCarwell,"saidthecaptain."Ijustheardthatthey'vepostponedthecup-winners'matchanhour;andunlessyouwanttositaroundhere--"

"Comeon!"criedViola,impulsively."It'stooperfectadaytositaround,andI'monlyinterestedinmyfather'smatch."

TherewasanotherreasonwhyViolaCarwellwasgladofthechancetogoridingwithCaptainPolandjustthen.ShereallywasalittleprovokedwithBartlett'sstubbornness,orwhatshecalledthat,andshethoughtitmight"wakehimup,"asshetermedit,toseeherwiththeonlymanwhomightbeclassedashisrival.

Asforherself,ViolawasnotsurewhetherornotshewouldadmitCaptainPolandtothatclass.Therewastimeenoughyet.

Andso,asBartlettwentintothetelephone,toansweracallthathadcomemostinopportunelyforhim,ViolaCarwellandCaptainPolandsweptoffalongthepleasantlyshadedcountryroad.

Lefttoherself,forwhichjustthenshewasthankful,MinnieWebbdriftedarounduntilshemetLeGrandBlossom.

"What'sthematter,Lee?"sheaskedhiminalowvoice,andhesmiledwithhiseyesather,thoughhisfaceshowednogreatamountofjollity."You'reassolemnasthougheveryrailroadstocklistedhaddroppedtenpointsjustafteryouboughtit."

"No,itisn'tquiteasbadasthat,"hesaid,ashefellintostepbesideher,andtheystrolledoffononeoftheless-frequentedwalks.

"Ithoughteverythingwasgoingsowellwithyou.Hastherebeenany

hitchinthepartnershiparrangement?"askedMinnie.

"No,notexactly."

"Haveyoulostmoney?"

"No,Ican'tsaythatIhave."

"Thenforgoodness'sakewhatisit?DoIhavetopumpyoulikeanewspaperreporter?"andMinnieWebblaughed,showingaperfectsetofteeththatcontrastedwellagainstthedarkredandtanofhercheeks.

"Oh,Idon'tknowthatit'sanythingmuch,"repliedLeGrandBlossom.

"It'ssomething!"insistedMinnie.

"Well,yes,itis.Andasit'llcomeout,soonerorlater,Imightaswelltellyounow,"hesaid,withratheranairofdesperation,andasthoughdriventoit."HaveyouheardanyrumorsthatMr.Carwellisinfinancialdifficulties?"

"Why,no!Theidea!Ialwaysthoughthehadplentyofmoney.Notamulti-millionaire,ofcourse,butbetterofffinanciallythananyone


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elseinLakeside."

"Hewasonce;buthewon'tbesoon,ifhekeepsupthepacehe'ssetoflate,"wentonLeGrandBlossom,andhisvoicewasgloomy.

"Whatdoyoumean?"

"Well,thingsdon'tlooksowellastheydid.Hewasveryfoolishtobuythatten-thousand-dollaryachtsosoonafterspendingevenmorethanthatonthisred,whiteandbluemonstrosityofhis!"

"Youdon'tmeantotellmehe'sboughtayacht,too?"

"Yes,theOspreythatColonelBlakesonusedtosportupanddownthecoastin.Paidacooltenthousandforit,thoughifhehadleftittomeIcouldhavegotitforeight,I'msure."

"Well,twentythousanddollarsoughtn'ttoworryMr.Carwell,Ishouldthink,"returnedMinnie.

"Itwouldn'thave,ayearago,"answeredLeGrand."Buthe'sbeenonthewrongsideofthemarketforsometime.Then,too,somethingnewhascroppedupaboutthatoldBartlettdeal."

"YoumeantheoneoverwhichHarry'suncleandMr.Carwellhadsuchafuss?"

"Yes.Mr.Carwell'snevergotoverthat.AndtherearerumorsthathelostquiteasuminabusinesstransactionwithCaptainPoland."

"Oh,dear!"sighedthegirl."Isn'tbusinesshorrid!I'mgladI'mnotaman.ButwhatisthisaboutCaptainPoland?"

"Idon'tknow?haven'thearditallyet,asMr.Carwelldoesn'ttellmeeverything,evenifhehasplannedtotakemeintopartnershipwithhim.ButnowI'mnotsokeenonit."

"Keenonwhat,Lee?"andMinnieWebbleanedjusttheleastbitnearertohisside.

"Ongoingintopartnershipwithamanwhospendsmoneysolavishlywhenheneedsallthereadycashhecanlayhishandson.Butdon'tmentionthistoanyone,Minnie.Ifitgotoutitmightprecipitatematters,andthenthewholebusinesswouldtumbledownlikeahouseofcards.Asitis,Imaybeabletopullhimout.ButI'veputthesoftpedalonthepartnershiptalk."

"HasMr.Carwellmentioneditoflate?"

"No.Allheseemstobeinterestedinisthisgolfgamethatmaymake

himclubchampion.ButkeepsecretwhatIhavetoldyou."

MinnieWebbnoddedassent,andtheyturnedbacktowardtheclubhouse,fortheyhadreachedatoosecludedpartofthegrounds.

Meanwhile,ViolaCarwellwasnotenjoyingherridewithCaptainPolandasmuchasshehadexpectedshewould.AsamatteroffactithadbeenundertakenlargelytocauseBartlettalittleuneasiness;andasthecarspunonshepaidlessandlessattentiontothecaptain.


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Seeingthis,thelatterchangedhismindconcerningsomethinghehadfullyexpectedtospeaktoViolaaboutthatday,ifhegotthechance.

CaptainPolandwasgenuinelyinlovewithViola,andhehadreasontofeelthatshecaredforhim,thoughwhetherenoughtowarrantadeclarationofloveonhispartwashardtounderstand.

"ButIwon'ttakeachancenow,"musedthecaptain,rathermoodily;andthetalkdescendedtomeremonosyllablesonthepartofbothofthem."ImustseeCarwellandhaveitoutwithhimaboutthatinsurancedeal.Maybeheholdsthatagainstme,thoughthelasttimeItalkedwithhimhegavemetounderstandthatI'dstandabettershowthanHarry.Imustseehimafterthegame.Ifhewinshe'llbeinamellowhumor,particularlyafterabottleorso.That'swhatI'lldo."

ThecaptainspunhiscarupinfrontoftheclubhouseandhelpedViolaout."Ithinkweareinplentyoftimeforyourfather'smatch,"heremarked.

"Yes,"sheassented."Idon'tseeanyoftheveteransonthefieldyet,"andshelookedacrosstheperfectcourse."I'llgotolookfordadandwishhimluck.Healwayswantsmetodothatbeforehestartshismedalplay.Seeyouagain,Captain;"andwithafriendlynodsheleftthesomewhatchagrinedyachtsman.

WhenCaptainPolandhadparkedhiscarhetookashortcutalongapaththatledthroughalittleclumpofbushes.Midwayheheardvoices.InaninstantherecognizedthemasthoseofHoraceCarwellandHarryBartlett.HeheardBartlettsay:

"Butdon'tyouseehowmuchbetteritwouldbetodropitall--tohavenothingmoretodowithher?"

"Lookhere,youngman,youmindyourownbusiness!"snappedMr.Carwell."IknowwhatI'mdoing!"

"Ihaven'tanydoubtofit,Mr.Carwell;butIventuredtosuggest?"

wentonBartlett.

"Keepyoursuggestionstoyourself,ifyouplease.I'vehadaboutallIwantfromyouandyourfamily.AndifIhearanymoreofyourimpudenttalk--"

ThenCaptainPolandmovedaway,forhedidnotwanttohearanymore.

InthemeantimeViolahurriedbacktotheclubhouse,andforcedherselftobegay.But,somehow,acloudseemedtohavecomeoverherday.

Thethronghadincreased,andshecaughtsight,amongthepress,ofJeanForette,theirchauffeur.

"Haveyouseenmyfathersincehearrived,Jean?"askedViola.

"Oh,heissomewhereabout,Isuppose,"wastheanswer,anditwasgiveninsuchasurlytonewithsuchachurlishmannerthatViolaflushedwithangerandbitherlipstokeepbackasharpretort.

AtthatmomentMinnieWebbstrolledpast.Shehadheardthequestionandtheanswer.


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"Ijustsawyourfathergoingoutwiththeothercontestants,Viola,"saidMinnieWebb,"fortheywerefriendsofsomeyears'standing.Ithinktheyaregoingtostarttoplay.IwonderwhytheysaytheFrencharesuchapoliterace,"shewenton,speakinglightlytocoverViola'sconfusioncausedbythechauffeur'smanner."Hewaspositivelyinsulting."

"Hewas,"agreedViola."ButIshouldn'tmindhim,Isuppose.Hedoesnotlikethenewmachine,andfatherhastoldhimtofindanotherplacebytheendofthemonth.Isupposethathaspiquedhim."

WhilethereweremanymatchestobeplayedattheMaraposaClubthatday,interest,asfarastheoldermembersandtheirfriendswereconcerned,wascenteredinthatforcup-winners.Theseconstitutedthebestplayers--theveteransofthegame--andthecontestwassuretobeinterestingandclose.

HoraceCarwellwasa"sport,"ineverymeaningoftheterm.Thoughamanwellalonginhisforties,hewasaslitheandactiveasonetenyearsyounger.Hemotored,fished,playedgolf,hunted,andoflatehadaddedyachtingtohisamusements.Hewaswealthy,ashisfatherhadbeenbeforehim,andownedafinehomeinNewYork,buthespentalargepartofeveryyearatLakeside,wherehemightenjoythetwosportshelovedbest-golfingandyachting.

Violawasanonlychild,hermotherhavingdiedwhenshewasaboutsixteen,andsincethenMr.Carwell'smaidensisterhadkeptwatchandwardoverthehandsomehome,TheHaven.Viola,thoughlovingherfatherwiththenaturalaffectionofadaughterandsomeoftheloveshehadlavishedonhermother,wasnotaltogetherinsympathywiththesportingproclivitiesofMr.Carwell.

True,sheaccompaniedhimtohisgolfgamesandsailedwithhimorrodeinhisbigcaralmostasoftenasheaskedher.Andshethoroughlyenjoyedthesethings.Butwhatshedidnotenjoywastherathertoojovialcomradeshipthatfollowedonthepartofthemenandwomenherfatherassociatedwith.Hewasagoodliverandagoodspender,andhe

likedtohaveabouthimsuchpersons-men"sleekandfat,"whoiftheydidnot"sleepo'nights,"atleasthadthehappyfacultyofturningnightintodayfortheirownamusement.

So,inameasure,Violaandherfatherwereoutofsympathy,ashadbeenhusbandandwifebeforeher;thoughtherehadneverbeenawhisperofrealincompatibility;norwastherenow,betweenfatheranddaughter.

"Fore!"

Itwasthewarningcryfromthefirstteetoclearthecourseforthestartofthecup-winners'match.Inanticipationofsomeremarkableplaying,anunusuallylargegallerywouldfollowthecontestantsaround.

Thebestcaddieshadbeenselected,clubshadbeenlookedtowithcareandtested,newballsweregotout,andtherewasmuchsubduedexcitement,asbefittedtheoccasion.

Mr.Carwell,hisalwaysflushedfaceperhapsatriflemorelikeamildsunsetthanever,strolledtothefirsttee.Heswunghisdriverwithfreedomandeasetomakesureitwastheonethatbestsuitedhim,andthenturnedtoMajorWardell,hischiefrival."Doyouwanttotakeanymore?"heaskedmeaningly.


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"No,thankyou,"wasthelaughingresponse."I'vegotallIcancarry.NotthatI'mgoingtoletyoubeatme,butI'malwaysastrokeortwooffinmyplaywhenthesun'stoobright,asitisnow.However,I'mnotcrawling."

"You'dbetternot!"declaredhisrival."Asforme,thebrighterthesunthebetterIlikeit.Well,areweallready?"

Theofficialsheldalastconsultationandannouncedthatplaymightstart.Mr.Carwellwastolead.

Thefirstholewasnotthelongestinthecourse,buttoplaceone'sballonfairgroundmeantdrivingverysurely,andforalongerdistancethanmostplayerslikedtothinkabout.Alsoashortdistancefromtheteewasadeepravine,andunlessoneclearedthatitwasahandicaphardtoovercome.

Mr.Carwellmadehislittleteeofsandwithcare,andplacedtheballontheapex.ThenhetookhisplaceandglancedbackforamomenttowhereViolastoodbetweenCaptainPolandandHarryBartlett.SomethinglikealittlefrowngatheredonthefaceofHoraceCarwellashenotedthepresenceofBartlett,butitpassedalmostatonce.

"Well,heregoes,ladiesandgentlemen!"exclaimedMr.Carwellinrather

loudtonesandwithafreeandeasymannerhedidnotoftenassume."Here'swhereIbringhomethebaconandmakemyfriend,themajor,eathumblepie."

Violaflushed.Itwasnotlikeherfathertothusboast.OnthecontraryhewasusuallywhattheScotchcalla"canny"player.Heneverpredictedthathewasgoingtowin,except,perhaps,tohisclosefriends.Buthewasnowboastingliketheveriestschoolboy.

"HereIgo!"heexclaimedagain,andthenheswungattheballwithhiswell-knownskill.

Itwasamarvelousdrive,andthemurmursofapprobationthatgreetedit

seemedtopleaseMr.Carwell.

"Let'sseeanybodybeatthat!"hecriedashesteppedofftheteetogiveplacetoMajorWardell.

Mr.Carwell'swhiteballhadsailedwellupontheputtinggreenofthefirsthole,ashotseldommadeatMaraposa.

"Afewmorestrokeslikethatandhe'llwinthematch,"murmuredBartlett.

"Andwhenhedoes,don'tforgetwhatItoldyou,"whisperedViolatohim.

Hefoundherhand,hiddenathersideinthefoldsofherdress,andpressedit.Shesmiledupathim,andthentheywatchedthemajorswingathisball.

"It'sgoingtobeacorkingmatch,"murmuredmorethanonememberofthegallery,astheyfollowedtheplayersdownthefield.

"Ifanyoneaskedme,IshouldsaythatCarwellhadtakenjustalittletoomuchchampagnetomakehisstrokestruetowardthelasthole,"said


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TomSharwelltoBruceGarrigan.

"Perhaps,"wastheadmission."ButI'dliketoseehimwin.And,forthesakeofsayingsomething,letmeinformyouthatinAfricalastyeartherewereusedinnoseringsaloneforthenativesseventeenthousandfourhundredandtwenty-onepoundsofcopperwire.Whileforanklets--"

"I'llbuyyouadrinkifyouchopitoffshort!"offeredSharwell.

"Taken!"exclaimedGarrigan,withagrin.

Thecupplaywenton,thefourcontestantsbeingwellmatched,andtheshotsdulyapplaudedfromholetohole.

Theturnwasmadeandthehomewardcoursebegan,withtheexcitementincreasingasitwasseenthattherewouldbetheclosestpossiblefinish,betweenthemajorandMr.Carwellatleast.

"What'stherowoverthere?"askedBartlettsuddenly,ashewalkedalongwithViolaandCaptainPoland.

"Where?"inquiredthecaptain.

"Amongthoseautos.Looksasifonewasonfire."

"Itdoes,"agreedViola."ButIcanseeourpatrioticpalfrey,soIguessit'sallright.Thereareenoughpeopleoverthere,anyhow.Butitissomething!"

Therewasadensecloudofsmokehoveringovertheplacewheresomeofthemanyautomobileswereparkedatonecornerofthecourse.Stillitmightbesomeonestartinghismachine,withtoomuchoilbeingburnedinthecylinders.

"Nowforthelasthole!"exultedMr.Carwell,astheyapproachedtheeighteenth."I'vegotyoutwostrokesnow,Major,andI'llhaveyoufourbytheendofthematch."

"I'mnotsosureofthat,"wasthelaughingandgood-naturedreply.

Therewassilenceinthegallerywhiletheplayersmadereadyforthelasthole.

TherewasasharpimpactasMr.Carwell'sdriverstruckthelittlewhiteballandsentitsailinginagracefulcurvewelltowardthelasthole.

"Amarvelousshot!"exclaimedCaptainPoland."Onthegreenagain!Anotherlikethatandhe'llwinthegame!"

"AndIcandoit,too!"boastedCarwell,whooverheardwhatwassaid.

Theothersdroveoffinturn,andtheplayreachedthefinalstageofputting.Violaturnedasthoughtogooverandseewhatthetroublewasamongtheautomobiles.Shelookedbackasshesawherfatherstooptosendtheballintothelittledepressedcup.Shefeltsurethathewouldwin,forshehadkeptarecordofhisstrokesandthoseofhisopponents.Thegamewasallbutover.

"Iwonderiftherecanbeanythingthematterwithourcar?"musedViola,asshesawthesmokegrowingdenser."Dad'swon,soI'mgoing


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overtosee.Perhapsthatchauffeur--"

Shedidnotfinishthesentence.Sheturnedtolookbackatherfatheroncemore,andsawhimmaketheputtthatwonthegameatthelasthole.Then,toherhorrorshesawhimreel,throwuphishands,andfallheavilyinaheap,whilestartledcriesreachedherears.

"Oh!Oh!Whathashappened?"sheexclaimed,anddeadlyfearclutchedatherheart--andnotwithoutgoodcause.

CHAPTERII.THENINETEENTHHOLE

ForseveralsecondsafterMr.Carwellfellsoheavilyontheputtinggreen,havingcompletedthelaststrokethatsentthewhiteballintothecupandmadehimclubchampion,therewasnotastiramongtheotherplayersgroupedabouthim;nordidthegallery,groupedsomedistanceback,rushup.Themostnaturalthought,andonethatwasinthemindsofthemajority,wasthattheclubmanhadoverbalancedhimselfinmakinghisstancefortheputtshot,andhadfallen.Therewasevenalittlethoughtlesslaughterfromsomeinthegallery.Butitwasalmostinstantlyhushed,foritneededbutasecondglancetotellthat

somethingmoreseriousthanasimplefallhadoccurred.

Orifitwasafallcausedbyanunsteadyposition,takenwhenhemadehislastshot,ithadbeensuchaheavyonethatMr.Carwellwasoverlonginrecoveringfromit.Heremainedinahuddledheapontheshort-cropped,velvetyturfoftheputtinggreen.

Thenthemurmursofwondercame,surgingfrommanythroats,andthefriendsofMr.Carwellclosedaroundtohelphimtohisfeet-torenderwhataidwasneeded.AmongthemwereCaptainPolandandHarryBartlett,andasthelattersteppedforwardheglancedup,foraninstant,atthebluesky.

FarabovetheMaraposagolflinkscircledaloneospreyonitswaytotheinletorocean.RatheridlyBartlettwonderedifitwasthesameoneheandCaptainPolandhadseendartdownandkillthefishjustbeforethebeginningofthebigmatch.

"What'sthematter,Horace?Suntoomuchforyou?"askedMajorWardell,asheleanedoverhisfriendandrival."Itisabithot;Ifeelitmyself.ButIdidn'tthinkitwouldknockyouout.Orareyoudoneupbecauseyoubeatme?Come--"

Heceasedhisratherrailingtalk,andalookcameoverhisfacethattoldthosenearhimsomethingserioushadhappened.Therewasarushtowardtheprostrateman.

"Keepback,please!"exclaimedthemajor."Heseemstohavefainted.Heneedsair.IsDr.Rowlandhere?IthoughtIsawhimattheclubhouseawhileago.Someonegethim,please.Ifnot--"

"I'llgethim!"someoneoffered

"Here,givehimasipofthis--it'sbrandy!"andanautomobilist,whohadcomeacrossthelinksfromthenearestpointtothehighway,offeredhisflask.


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Themajorunscrewedthesilvertop,whichformedatinycup,andtriedtoletsomeofthepotentliquortricklebetweenthepurplishlipsoftheunconsciousvictorinthecup-winners'match.Butmoreoftheliquidwasspilledonhisfaceandneckthanwentintohismouth.Theairreekedwiththeodorofit.

"Whathashappened?Ishehurt?"gaspedViola,whomadeherwaythroughthepressofpeople,whichopenedforher,tillshestoodclosebesideherfather."Whatisit?Oh,ishe--?"

"Hefell,"someonesaid.

"Justashemadehiswinningstroke,"addedanother.

"Oh!"andViolaherselfreeledunsteadily.

"It'sallright,"avoicesaidinherear,andthoughitwasintheordinarytonesofCaptainPoland,tothealarmedgirlitseemedasthoughitcamefromthedistantpeaksofthehills."He'llbeallrightpresently,"wentonthecaptain,ashesupportedViolaandledheroutofthethrong.

"It'sjustatouchofthesun,Ifancy.They'vegoneforadoctor."

"Oh,but,CaptainPoland--fatherwasneverlikethisbefore--hewasalwayssostrongandwell--Ineverknewhimtocomplainoftheheat.Andasforfainting--whyIbelieveIalmostdiditmyself,justnow,didn'tI?"

"Almost,yes."

"Butfatherneverdid.Oh,Imustgotohim!"

Shestruggledalittleandmovedawayfromhishalfencirclingarm,forhehadseenthatherstrengthwasfailingherandhadsupportedherasheledheraway."Imustgotohim!"

"Betternotjustnow,"saidCaptainPolandgently."Harryistherewithhim,themajorandotherfriends.Theywilllookafterhim.Youhadbettercomewithmetotheclubhouseandliedown.Iwillgetyouacupoftea."

"No!Imustbewithmyfather!"sheinsisted."Hewillneedmewhenhe--whenherevives.Pleaseletmegotohim!"

Thecaptainsawthatitwasoflittleusetoopposehersoheledherbacktowardthethrongthatwasstillabouttheprostrateplayer.Aclubmanwashurryingbackwithayoungmanwhocarriedasmallblackbag.

"They'vegotadoctor,Ithink,"saidGerry."NotDr.Rowland,though.However,Idaresayitwillbeallright."

AfitoftremblingseizedViola,anditwassoviolentthat,foramoment,CaptainPolandthoughtshewouldfall.Hehadtoholdherclose,andhewishedtherewassomeplacenearathandtowhichhemighttakeher.Buttheclubhousewassomedistanceaway,andtherewerenoconveyanceswithincall.


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However,Violasoonrecoveredhercomposure,oratleastseemedto,andsmiledupathim,thoughtherewasnomirthinit.

"I'llbeallrightnow,"shesaid."Pleasetakemetohim.Hewillaskformeassoonasherecovers."

Theyoungdoctorhadmadehiswaythroughthethrongandnowkneltbesidetheprostrateman.Theexaminationwasbrief--araisingoftheeyelids,anearpressedovertheheart,supplementedbytheuseofthestethoscope,andthentheyoungmedicalmanlookedup,searchingtheringoffacesabouthimasthoughseekingforsomeoneinauthoritytowhominformationmightbeimparted.Thenheannounced,generally:

"Heisdead."

"Dead!"exclaimedseveral.

"Hush!"cautionedHarryBartlett"She'llhearyou!"

HelookedinthedirectionwhenceViolaandCaptainPolandwereapproachingthescene.

"Areyousure,Dr.Baird?"heasked.

"Positive.Theheartactionhasentirelystopped."

"Butmightthatnotbefromsomecause--sometemporarycause?"

"Yes,butnotinthiscase.Mr.Carwellisdead.Icandonothingforhim."

Itsoundedbrutal,butitwasonlyamedicalman'splainstatementofthecase.

"Someonemusttellher,"murmuredMinnieWebb,whohadbeenattractedtothecrowd,thoughshewasnotmuchofagolfenthusiast."PoorViola!Someonemusttellher."

"Iwill,"offeredBartlett,andhemadehiswaythroughalivinglanethatopenedforhim.Thenitclosedagain,hidingthebodyfromsight.Someoneplacedasweateroverthefacethathadbeensoruddy,andwasnowsopale.

CaptainPoland,stillsupportingViolaonhisarm,sawBartlettapproaching.Somehowhesurmisedwhathisfellowclubmanwasgoingtosay.

"Oh,Harry!"exclaimedViola,impulsivelyholdingoutherhandstohim."Isheallright?Ishebetter?"

"Iamsorry,"beganHarry,andthensheseemedtosensewhathewasgoingtoadd.

"Heisn't--Oh,don'ttellmeheis--"

"Thedoctorsaysheisdead,Viola,"answeredBartlettgently."Hepassedawaywithoutpainorsuffering.Itmusthavebeenheartdisease."

ButViolaCarwellneverheardthelastwords,forshereallyfaintedthistime,andCaptainPolandlaidhergentlydownonthesoft,green


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grass.

"Bettergetthedoctorforher,"headvisedBartlett."She'llneedhim,ifherfatherdoesn't."AsHarryBartlettturnedaside,wavingbackthecuriosityseekersthatwerealreadyleavingtheformersceneofexcitementforthelatest,LeGrandBlossomcameup.Heseemedverycoolandnotatallexcited,consideringwhathadhappened.

"IwilllookafterMissCarwell,"hesaid.

"PerhapsyouhadbetterseetoMr.Carwell--Mr.Carwell'sremains,Blossom,"suggestedCaptainPoland."MissCarwellwillbeherselfverysoon.Shehasonlyfainted.Herfatherisdead.

"Dead?Areyousure?"askedLeGrandBlossom,andhismannerseemedatriflemorenaturallyexcited.

"Dr.Bairdsaysso.You'dbettergotohim.Hemaywanttoasksomequestions,andyouweremorecloselyassociatedwithCarwellthananyoftherestofus."

"Verywell,I'lllookafterthebody,"saidthesecretary."Didthedoctorsaywhatkilledhim?"

"No.Thatwillbegoneintolater,Idaresay.Probablyheartdisease;thoughIneverknewhehadit,"saidBartlett.

"NorI,"addedBlossom."I'dbemoreinclinedtosuspectapoplexy.ButareyousureMissCarwellwillbeallright?"

"Yes,"answeredCaptainPoland,whohadraisedherheadaftersprinklinginherfacesomewateracaddybroughtinhiscap."Sheisreviving."

Dr.Bairdcameupjustthenandgavehersomearomaticspiritsofammonia.

Violaopenedhereyes.Therewasnocomprehensioninthem,andshe

lookedaboutinwonder.Then,asherbenumbedbrainagaintookupitswork,sheexclaimed:

"Oh,itisn'ttrue!Itcan'tbetrue!Tellmeitisn't!"

"Iamsorry,butitseemstobebuttootrue,"saidCaptainPolandgently."Didheeverspeakoftroublewithhisheart,Viola?"

"Never,Gerry.Hewasalwayssowellandstrong."

"Youhadbettercometotheclubhouse,"suggestedBartlett,andshewentwiththemboth.

AlittlelaterthebodyofHoraceCarwellwascarriedtothe"nineteenthhole"--thatplacewhereallgamesareplayedoveragainindetailasthecontestantsputawaytheirclubs.

Athrongfollowedthesilentfigure,borneontheshouldersofsomegroundsworkmen,butonlyclubmemberswereadmittedtothehouse.Andamongthembuzzedtalkofthetragedythathadsosuddenlyendedthedayofsports.

"Helookedallrightwhenhestartedtoplay,"saidone."Neversawhim


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inbetterform,andsomeofhisshotsweremarvelous."

"He'dbeendrinkingalittletoomuchforamantoplayhisbest,especiallyonahotday,"venturedanother."Hemusthavebeentakenillfromthat,andtheexcitementoftryingtowinoverthemajor,anditaffectedhisheart."

"Neverknewhimtohaveheartdisease,"declaredBruceGarrigan.

"Lotsofushaveitanddon'tknowit,"commentedTomSharwell."Isupposeitwilltakeanautopsytodecide."

"RathertoughonMissCarwell,"wasanothercomment.

"That'strue!"severalagreed.

ThebodyofHoraceCarwellwasplacedinoneofthesmallcardrooms,andthedoorlocked.ThenfollowedsomequicktelephoningonthepartofDr.Baird,whohadrecentlyjoinedthegolfclub,andwhohadarrivedattheclubhouseshortlybeforeMr.Carwelldroppeddead.

ItwasatthesuggestionofHarryBartlettthatDr.AddisonLambert,theCarwellfamilyphysician,wassentfor,andthatratheragedpractitionerarrivedassoonaspossible.

Hewastakenintoviewthebody,togetherwithDr.Baird,whowasalmostpatheticallydeferentialtohisseniorcolleague.Thetwomedicalmenweretogetherintheroomwiththebodyforsometime,andwhentheycameoutViolaCarwellwastheretomeetthem.Dr.Lambertputhisarmsabouther.Hehadknownherallherlife--sinceshefirstventuredintothisworld,infact--andhismannerwasmostfatherly.

"Oh,UncleAdd!"shemurmuredtohim--forshehadlongcalledhimbythisendearingtitle--Oh,UncleAdd!Whatisit?Ismyfather--ishereally--"

"Mydearlittlegirl,yourfatherisdead,Iamsorrytosay.Youmust

beverybrave,andbearup.Bethebravewomanhewouldwantyoutobe."

"Iwill,UncleAdd.But,oh,itissohard!HewasallIhad!Oh,whatmadehimdie?"

Shequestionedalmostasalittlechildmighthavedone.

"ThatIdon'tknow,mydear,"answeredDr.Lambertgently."Weshallhavetofindthatoutlaterby--Well,we'llfindoutlater,Dr.BairdandI.Youhadbettergohomenow.I'llhaveyourcarbroughtaround.Isthat--thatFrenchmanhere--yourchauffeur?"

"Yes,hewasherealittlewhileago.ButIhadrathernotgohomewith

him--atleast,unlesssomeoneelsecomeswithme.Idon'tlike--Idon'tlikethatbig,newcar.

"Ifyouwillcomewithme,Viola--"beganBartlett.

"Yes,Harry,I'llgowithyou.Oh,poorAuntMary!Thiswillbeaterribleshocktoher.I--"

"I'lltelephone,"offeredDr.Lambert."She'llknowwhenyouarrive.AndI'llbeovertoseeyou,Viola,assoonasImakesomearrangements."


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"Andwillyoulookafter--afterpoorfather?"

"Yes,youmayleaveitalltome."

Andso,whilethebodyofthedeadclubmanremainedatthenineteenthhole,ViolaCarwellwastakento'TheHaven'byHarryBartlett,whileCaptainPoland,noddingfarewelltoLeGrandBlossomandsomeofhisotherfriends,leftthegroundsinhisgraycar.

Andasherodedownpasttheinletwherethetidewasnowrunningouttothesea,hesawanospreydartdownandstrikeatanunseenfish.

Butthebirdrosewithdrippingpinions,itstalonsempty.

"Youdidn'tgetanyonethattime!"murmuredthecaptain.

CHAPTERIII."WHY?"

Throughthesilenthouseechoedthevibrationoftheelectricbell,

soundingunnecessarilyloud,itseemed.Themaidwhoansweredtookthecaller'scardtoMissMaryCarwell,Viola'saunt.

"HewantstoseeMissViola,"theservantreported."ShallItellher?"

"Youhadbetter,yes.Shewenttoliedown,butshewillwanttoseeCaptainPoland.Wait,I'lltellhermyself.Whereishe?"

"Inthelibrary,maam.

"Verywell.I'llseehim."

Mr.Carwell'ssisterliterallysweptdownthestairs,herblacksilk

dressrustlingsomberlyandimportantly.Shewasalargewoman,andherbearingandairwereinkeeping.

"Itwasverygoodofyoutocome,"shemurmured,asshesank,withmorerustlingandshimmerings,intoachair,whilethecaptainwaitedforhertobesettled,likeaboatatanchor,beforeheagaintookhisplace."Violawillbedownpresently.Igaveherapowderthedoctorleftforher,andsheslept,Ihope,sincewewerebothawakenearlyalloflastnight."

"Ishouldimagineso.Thestrainandshockmusthavebeenintense.Butpleasedon'tdisturbherifsheisresting.ImerelycalledtoseeifIcoulddoanything."

"Thankyousomuch.Wearewaitingforthedoctors'report.Itwasnecessarytohaveanautopsy,Iunderstand?"shequestioned.

"Yes.Thelawrequiresitinallcasesofsuddenandmysteriousdeath."

"Mysteriousdeath,CaptainPoland!"

MaryCarwellseemedtoswelluplikeafretfulturkey.


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"Well,bythatImeanunexplained.Mr.Carwelldroppeddeadsuddenlyandfromnoapparentcause."

"Butitwasheartdisease--orapoplexy--ofcourse!Whatelsecoulditbe?"

"Itmusthavebeenoneortheotherofthose,MissCarwell,Iamsure,"thecaptainmurmuredsympathetically."Butthelawrequiresthatsuchafactbeestablishedtothesatisfactionofthecountyphysician."

"Andwhoishe?"

"Dr.Rowland."

"Willtherebeacoroner'sinquest,suchasIhavereadabout?Icouldn'tbearanythinglikethat."

"Itisnotatallnecessary,MissCarwell,"wentonthecaptain."ThelawofNewJerseydoesnotdemandthatincasesofsuddenandunexplaineddeath,unlessthecountyphysicianisnotsatisfiedwithhisinvestigation.InthatmatterNewJerseydiffersfromsomeoftheotherstates.Thecountyphysicianwillmakeanautopsytodeterminethecauseofdeath.Ifheissatisfiedthatitwasfromnaturalcauseshegivesacertificatetothateffect,andthatendsthematter."

"Oh,thenitwillbeverysimple."

"Yes,Iimagineso.Dr.Rowlandwillstatethatyourbrothercametohisdeathfromheartdisease,orfromapoplexy,orwhateveritwas,andthenyoumayproceedwiththefuneralarrangements.IshallbegladtohelpyouinanywayIcan."

"Itisverykindofyou.Thishasbeensoterrible--sosuddenandunexpected.IthasperfectlyunnervedbothpoorViolaandmyself,andwearetheonlyonestolookaftermatters."

"Then,letmehelp,"urgedCaptainPoland."Ishallonlybetooglad.

Themembersofthegolfclub,too,willdoallintheirpower.Wehadameetingthismorningandpassedresolutionsofsympathy.Ihavealsocalledameetingofouryachtclub,ofwhichyourbrotherwasamember.Wewilltakesuitableaction."

"Thankyou.AndwhendoyouthinkwemayexpectthecertificatefromDr.Rowland?"

"Verysoon.Heisperformingtheautopsynow,attheclub.Dr.LambertandDr.Bairdarewithhim.Itwasthoughtbesttohaveitthere,ratherthanattheundertakingrooms."

"Ishallbegladwhenmatterscanproceedastheyoughttoproceed.This

publicityisverydistastefultome."

"Icanreadilybelievethat,MissCarwell.Andnow,ifyouwillaskMissViolaifImaybeofanyservicetoher,Ishall--"

"BeforeIcallher,thereisonematterIwishtoaskyouabout,"saidMr.Carwell'ssister."Youarefamiliarwithbusiness,Iknow.IwasgoingtoaskMr.Bartlett,asthisseemedmoreinhisline,butperhapsyoucanadviseme."


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"Ishalldomybest,MissCarwell.Whatisit?"

"Oneoftheclerkscamefrommybrother'sofficethismorningwithanotefromthebank.ItseemsthatHoraceborrowedalargesumforsomebusinesstransaction,andputupascollateralcertainbonds.Heoftendoesthat,asIhaveheardhimmentionheretimeandagaintoMr.Blossom,whentheysatinconsultationinthelibrary.

"Butnowitappears,accordingtothenotefromthebank,thatmoresecuritiesareneeded.Therehasbeenadepreciation,orsomething--Iamnotfamiliarwiththeterms.Atanyratethebanksendswordthatitwantsmorebonds.IwaswonderingwhatIhadbetterdo.OfcourseIhavesecuritiesinmyownprivateboxthatImightsend,but--"

"Whydidn'tMr.Blossomattendtothis?"askedCaptainPoland,abitsharply,itwouldhaveseemedtoacasuallistener."Thatwashisplace.HeknowsallaboutMr.Carwell'saffairs."

"IaskedtheclerkfromtheofficewhyMr.Blossom--didyoueverhearsuchanabsurdnameashehas?--LeGrandBlossom--Iaskedtheclerkwhythematterwasnotattendedto,"wentonMissCarwell,"andhesaidMr.Blossommusthaveforgottenit."

"Ratherodd,"commentedthecaptain."However,I'lllookafteritfor

you.Ifnecessary,I'llloanthebankenoughadditionalsecuritiesascollateraltocovertheloan.Don'tletitdisturbyou,MissCarwell.Itismerelyasmalldetailofbusinessthatoftencropsup.Securitiesinthesedayssooftenfluctuatethatbanksareforcedtocallformore,anddifferentones,tocoverloanssecuredbythem.I'llattendtothematterforyou."

"Thankyousomuch.AndnowIbelieveImaysafelycallViola.Shewouldnotforgivemeifsheknewyouhadbeenhereandshehadnotseenyoutothankyouforyourcareofheryesterday."

"Oh,thatwasnothing.Iwasveryglad--"

CaptainPolandwasinterruptedbyaringatthedoor.

"Perhapsthatisamessagefromthedoctorsnow,"suggestedMissCarwell.

"ItisDr.Lamberthimself,"announcedthecaptain,lookingfromawindowthatgaveaviewofthefrontporch."Dr.Bairdiswithhim.Theymusthavecompletedtheautopsy.ShallIseethemforyou?"

"Pleasedo.Andpleasetellmeatoncethateverythingisallright,andthatwemayproceedwiththefuneralarrangements,"beggedthesisterofthedeadman.

"Iwilldoso,MissCarwell."

CaptainPoland,anticipatingthemaid,wentintothehallandhimselfopenedthedoorforthemedicalmen.

"Oh!I'mgladyou'rehere!"exclaimedtherathergruffvoiceofDr.Lambert."Yes,I'mgladyou'rehere."

Thecaptainwasonthepointofaskingwhy,whenDr.Lambertmotionedtohimtostepintoalittlereceptionroomoffthemainhall.Somewhat


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wonderingly,CaptainPolandobeyed,andwhenthedoorhadclosed,shuttinghiminwiththetwodoctors,heturnedtotheolderphysicianandasked:

"Isanythingthematter?"

"Well,wehavecompletedtheautopsy,"saidDr.Lambert.

"That'sgood.Thenyouarereadytosignacertificate,oratleastgetDr.Rowlandto,sothatwecanproceedwiththearrangements.MissMaryCarwellisanxioustohave--"

"Well,Isupposethefuneralwillhavetobeheld,"saidDr.Lambertslowly."Thatcan'tbeheldupverylong,evenifitwasworsethanitis."

"Worsethanitis!Whatdoyoumean?"criedCaptainPolandsharply."Isthereanysuspicion--"

"Thereismorethansuspicion,mydearsir,"wentonDr.Lambert,ashesankintoachairasthoughvery,verytired."Thereis,Iregrettosay,certainty."

"Certaintyofwhat?"

"Certaintythatmyoldfriend,HoraceCarwell,committedsuicide!"

"Suicide!"

"Bypoisoning,"addedDr.Baird,whohadbeenanxioustogetinaword."Wefoundveryplainevidencesofitwhenweexaminedthestomachandviscera."

"Poison!"criedCaptainPoland."Asuicide?Idon'tbelieveit!WhyshouldHoraceCarwellkillhimself?Hehadn'tareasonintheworldforit!Theremustbesomemistake!Whydidhedoit?Why?Why?"

Andthensuddenlyhebecamestrangelythoughtful.

CHAPTERIV.VIOLA'SDECISION

"Thatistheveryquestionwehavebeenaskingourselves,mydearCaptain,"saidDr.Lambertwearily."Andwearenonearerananswernowthan,apparently,youare.Whydidhedoit?"

Thethreemen,twogravelyprofessional,one,theyounger,moresothanhiseldercolleague,andthethirdplainlyupsetoverthesurprising

news,lookedatoneanotherbehindthecloseddoorofthelittleroomofftheimposingreceptionhallatTheHaven.Theywereinthehouseofdeath,andtheyhadtodowithmorethandeath,fortherewas,inthereputedactionofHoraceCarwell,thehintofdisgracewhichsuicidealwaysengenders.

"Isuppose,"beganCaptainPoland,ratherweakly,"thattherecanbenochanceoferrorHelookedfromonemedicalmantotheother.

"Nottheleastintheworld!"quicklyexclaimedBaird."Wemadeamost


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carefulexaminationofthedeceased'sorgans.Theyplainlyshowtracesofaviolentpoison,thoughwhetheritwasirritantoroneoftheneurotics,wearenotyetpreparedtosay."

"Itcouldn'thavebeenanirritant,"saidDr.Lambertgently.Itwasasthoughhehadcorrectedatoozealousstudentrecitinginclass.Dr.Bairdwaspainfullyyoung,thoughmuchinearnest.

"Perhapsnotanirritant,"heagreed."ThoughIknowofnoneuroticthatwouldproducesucheffectsaswesaw.

"Youarerightthere,"saidDr.Lambert."WhateverpoisonwasuseditwasonetheeffectsofwhichIhaveneverseenbefore.Butwehavenotyetfinishedouranalysis.Wehaveonlyreachedacertainconclusionthatmayultimatelybechanged."

"Youmeanastowhetherornotitwassuicide?"askedCaptainPolandeagerly.

"No,Idon'tseehowwecangetawayfromthat,"saidDr.Lambert."Thatfactremains.Butifweestablishthekindofpoisonuseditmayleadustothemotive.Thatiswhatwemustfind."

"Andwewillfindthekindofpoison!"declaredDr.Baird.

Theoldermedicalmanshookhishead.

"Therearesomeanimalandvegetablepoisonsforwhichthereisnoknowntest,"hesaidgently."Itmayturnouttobeoneofthese."

"ThenmayitnotdevelopthatMr.Carwell,assumingthathedidtakepoison,diditbymistake?"askedthecaptain.

"Ihopeso,"murmuredDr.Lambert.

"Butfromtheactionofthepoison,asshownbytheconditionofthemucouscoatofthealimentarycanal,IhardlyseehowMr.Carwellcould

nothaveknownthathetookpoison,"declaredDr.Baird.

"Yetheseemedallrightexceptforalittlepardonableexhilarationduringthegameofgolf,"remarkedCaptainPoland."Hewasfeeling'prettygood'aswesay.Idon'tseehowhecouldhavetakenpoisonknowinglyorunknowingly."

"Therearesomepoisonswhich,takenincombination,mightmixandformacomparativelyharmlessmixture,"saidDr.Lambert."ThoughIconfessthisisaveryremotepossibility.Somepoisonsareneutralizedbyanalcoholiccondition.Andsomepersons,whomayhavebeenhabitualusersofadrug,maytakeadoseofitthatwouldkillseveralpersonsnotsoaddicted."

"DoyoumeanthatMr.Carwellwasadruguser?"demandedthecaptain.

"Iwouldhesitateverylongbeforesayingso,"answeredDr.Lambert,"andIhaveknownhimmanyyears."

"Thenwhatwasit?Whatintheworlddoesitallmean?"askedCaptainPoland."What'stheanswersinotherwords?"

"IwishIknew,"repliedDr.Lambert,andheshookhishead.Something


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morethantheweightofyearsseemedbowinghimdown.Dr.Bairdseemeddulyimpressedbythecircumstancesthathadbroughthim--ayoungandasyetunestablishedphysician--toaconnectionwithsuchastartlingcaseinthewellknownandwealthyCarwellfamily.

AsforCaptainGerryPoland,hewasclearlystartledbythenewsthephysicianshadbrought.Helookedtowardthecloseddoorasthoughseekingtoseebeyondit--intotheroomwhereViolawaswaiting.Toher,soonerorlater,thetragicverdictmustbetold.

"Can'tyousayanything?"heasked,abitsharply,lookingfromonephysiciantotheother"Isthisallyoucametotell--thatMr.Carwellwasasuicide?Isn'tthereanymitigatingcircumstance?"

"Ibelievehepoisonedhimselfbeforehebeganhischampionshipgame,"saidDr.Baird,withstartlingfrankness--almostbrutalitseemed.

"Butwhyshouldhedosuchathing?"demandedthecaptain,ratherpetulantly.

"Hemayhavetakensomedope,thinkingitwouldbracehimup,"wentontheyoungmedicalman,"andithadtheoppositeeffect--adepressingactionontheheart.Or,hemayhavetakenaoverdoseofhisfavoritedrug.Thatiswhatweshallhavetofindoutbymakingsuitableinquiriesof

membersofthefamily."

"Oh,mustwetellthem,"exclaimedCaptainPolandinstartledtones.Anditwaseasytodeterminebyhisvoicethatby"them"hemeantViola."Mustwetell?"herepeated.

"Imustdomydutyasaphysicianbothtothepublicandtothefamily,"saidDr.Lambert,andhestraightenedupasthoughreadytoassumetheburdenheknewwouldfallheavilyonhisshoulders."ImustalsothinkofViola.Ifeellikeanotherfathertohernow.Ihavealways,moreorless,regardedherasmylittlegirl,thoughsheisayoungladynow.Butthefactsmustcomeout.EvenifIweredisposedtoaidinaconcealment--whichIamfarfromdoing--Dr.Rowland,thecounty

physician,waspresentattheautopsy.Heknows."

"Doesheknowthepoisonused?"askedCaptainPolandquickly,andthen,almostassoonasthewordshadlefthislips,heseemedsorryhehadutteredthem.

"No,nomorethanwe,"saidDr.Baird."Itwillrequiresomeniceworkinmedicaljurisprudence,andalsoaverydelicateanalysis,todeterminethat.Iaminclinedtothink--"

Butwhathethoughtnooneheardorcaredtohearatthatmoment,for,evenashespoke,thedoorofthelittleroomwasthrownhastilyandsomewhatviolentlyopen,andViolaCarwellconfrontedthethreemen.Her

faceshowedtracesofgrief,butithadlostlittleofthebeautyforwhichshewasnoted.

Tallanddark,withhairofthatblue--blacksheensorarelyobserved,withvioleteyesandapoiseandgracethatmadehermuchobserved,ViolaCarwellwasattheheightofherbeauty.Inasenseshehadthegentlegraceofhermotherandwiththattheverveandsprightlinessofherfathermingledperfectly.ItwasnowonderthatCaptainPolandandHarryBartlettandmanyothers,forthatmatter,wererivalsforherfavors.


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"Ithoughtyouwerehere,"shesaidquietlytoDr.Lambert."Oh,UncleAdd,whatisit?Tellmethetruth!"shebeggedassheplacedahandonhisarm,ahandthattrembledinspiteofherdeterminationtoremaincalm."Pleasetellmethetruth!"

"Thetruth,Viola?"hequestionedgently.

"Yes.I'mafraidyouaretryingtokeepsomethingbackfromme.Thislookslikeit--youmeninheretalking--consultingastowhatisbesttodo.Tellme.Myfatherisdead.Butthat,Iknow,isnottheworstthatcanhappen.Tellme!Isthere-isthereanydisgrace?Iknow--"

Violastoppedasthoughsheherselffearedthewordsshewasabouttoutter.Dr.Lambertquicklyspoke.

"Therehasbeennodisgrace,mydearViola,"hesaid,gently."Wehavejustcomefromthe--fromhavingmadeaninvestigation--Dr.BairdandmyselfandDr.Rowland.Wediscoveredthatyourfatherwaspoisoned,and--"

"Poisoned?"shegasped,andstartedbackasthoughstruck,whileherrapidglanceswentfromfacetoface,restinglongestonthecountenanceofCaptainPoland.Itwasasthough,inthisgreatemergency,shelooked

tohimforcomfortmorethantotheolddoctorwhohadusheredherintotheworld.

"Iamsorrytohavetosayit,Viola,butsuchisthecase,"wentonthefamilyphysician."Yourfatherwaspoisoned.Butthekindofpoisonwehavenotyetdetermined."

"Butwhogaveittohim?"shecried."Oh,itdoesn'tseemthatanyonewouldhatehimso,notevenhisworstenemy.Andhehadsomanyfriends-toomany,perhaps."

"Wedon'tknowthatanyonegavehimthepoison,Viola,"saidDr.Lambert,gently."Infact,itdoesnotseemthatanyonedid,oryour

fatherwouldhaveknownit.Certainlyifanyonehadtriedtomakehimtakepoisontherewouldhavebeenastrugglethathewouldhavementioned.Buthediedofpoison,nevertheless."

"Thentherecanbebutoneotherexplanation,"shemurmured,andhervoicewastenseandstrained."Hemusthave--"

"Wefearhetookithimself,"blurtedoutDr.Baird,inspiteofthewarninglookcastathimbyhiscolleague.

"Oh,Iwon'tbelievethat!Itcan'tbetrue!"criedViola,andsheburstintoastormofsobs.Dr.Lambertplacedhisarmsabouther.

"Tellmeitisn'ttrue,UncleAdd!Tellmeitisn'ttrue!"shesobbed.

Thethreemen,lookingatoneanother--Dr.Lambert'sglancecomingoverthebowedheadofViola--saidnothingforafewmoments.Thenashersobsdiedaway,andshebecamecalmer,theoldphysiciansaid:

"Youmustnottakeonso,Vi.Iknowitishard,butyoumustmeettheissuesquarely.Atthesametimeyoumustrealizethateventhemostsuspiciouscircumstancesmaybeexplainedaway.Whileitdoeslookasthoughyourfatherhaddeliberatelytakenthepoison,itmayeasilybe


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establishedbyaninvestigationthatitwasanaccident--anaccidentofwhichevenyourfatherwasignorant."

"Therearesomanypoisonsthatdonotmanifestthemselvesforalongtime--oftendays--aftertheyaretaken,thatthereiseverychanceofprovingthistohavebeenanaccident."

"Thentheremustbeaninvestigation!"wasViola'squickdecision.Therewerestilltearsinhereyes,butshelookedthroughthemnow,asthroughaveilthatmustbetornaside."Icannotbelievethatmyfatherwasa--asuicide--"shehaltedattheawfulword."Iwillnotbelieveit!"shewentonmorefirmly."Itcannotbetrue!"

Hardlyhadsheutteredthelastwordthanafigurepassedthroughthehall,flittingpastthehalf-openeddoorofthelittleroomwhereViolastoodwiththethreemen.

"Whoisthere?"shecalledsharply,forshehadspokenratherloudly,andshedidnotwantanyoftheservantstohear."Whoisthere?"

"ItisI--Minnie,"wastheanswer."DearViola,IhavecometoseeifIcoulddoanything.Irangandrang,butnooneansweredthebell,and,asthedoorwasopen,Iwalkedin."

"I'mafraidIdidn'tcloseitwhenIletyouin,"saidCaptainPolandtoDr.Lambert.

"DearViola!"saidMinnieWebb,assheplacedcheekagainstthatofherfriend."IsthereanythingIcandoinyourterribletrouble?Pleaseletmedosomething!"

"Thankyou,Minnie.Youareverykind.Idon'tknow.Weareinsuchdistress.Tellme--"andViolaseemedtonerveherselfforsomeeffort."Tellme!DidyouhearwhatIsaidjustnow--asyoupassedthedoor?"

"Doyoumeanaboutnotbelievingthatyourfatherwasasuicide?"askedMinnie,inalowvoice.

"Yes."

"I--Iheardyou."

"Thentheonlythingyoucandoistohelpmeproveotherwise,"saidViola."Thatwouldbethegreatesthelp.Itcan'tbetrue,andwewantthatmadeplain.Fatherneverkilledhimself.Hewasnotthatkindofman.Hedidnotfeardeath,buthewouldnotgodeliberatelytomeetit.Itisnottruethathekilledhimself!"andViola'svoiceseemedtoringout.

AstrangelookcameoverthefaceofMinnieWebb.Therewasagreatpity

shininginhereyesasshesaid:

"I--Iamsorry,Viola,but--butIamafraiditmaybetrue."

"What!Thatmyfathercommittedsuicide?"

"Yes,"whisperedMinnie."I--I'mafraiditmaybetrue!"


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CHAPTERV.HARRY'SMISSION

MinnieWebb'sannouncementaffectedherfourhearersinfourdifferentways.ItshockedViola--shockedhergreatly,forshehad,naturally,expectedkindlysympathyandagreementfromherfriend.

Dr.Baird,whohadinvoluntarilybeguntotwisthissmallmustacheattheentranceofMissWebb,lookedatherinadmirationofhergoodlooksandbecausesheupheldatheorytowhichhefelthimselfcommitted--atheorythatMr.Carwellwasaplainout-and-outsuicide.

Dr.LambertwasplainlyindignantatthebaldmannerinwhichMinnieWebbmadeherstatement,andatthesametimehehadpityfortheignoranceofthelaymindthatwillpronouncejudgmentagainstthemorecautiousopinionsofscience.Andthiswasnotthefirstpoisoningcasewithwhichtheagedpractitionerhaddealt.

AsforCaptainPoland,hegazedblanklyatMissWebbforamomentfollowingherstatement,andthenhelookedmorekeenlyattheyoungwoman,asthoughseekingtoknowwhenceherinformationcame.

AndwhenViolahadrecoveredfromherfirstshockthiswasthethoughtthatcametoher:

"WhatdidMinnieknow?"

AndViolaaskedthatveryquestion--askeditsharplyandwithanairwhichtoldofherdeterminationtoknow.

"Oh,pleasedon'taskme!"stammeredMinnieWebb."ButIhaveheardthatyourfather'saffairsareinvolved,Viola."

"Hisaffairs?Youmeananythinginhis--privatelife?"andthedaughterofHoraceCarwell--"Carwellthesport,"ashewasfrequentlycalled--seemedtofeelthisblowmorethantheshockofdeath.

"Oh,no,nothinglikethat!"exclaimedMinnie,asthoughabashedatthemeresuggestion."ButIdidhear--andIcannottellwhereIheardit--thathewasinvolvedfinancially,andthat,perhaps--well,youknowsomemenhaveahorroroffacingtheworldpoorand--"

"Thatcan'tbetrue!"declaredViolastoutly."WhileIdonotknowanythingaboutmyfather'sfinancialaffairs,Iknowhehadnofearoffailure--nofearofbecomingpoor."

"Idonotbelievehewouldhavefearedtofacepovertyiftherewasneed.Buttherewasnot,I'msure.Minnie,whotoldyouthis?"

"I--Icannottell!"saidMinnie,withamemoryoftheinsinuating

mannerinwhichLeGrandBlossomhadspoken.Bearinginmindherpromisetohimnottomentionthematter,shebegantowishthatshehadnotspoken.

"Butyoumusttell!"insistedDr.Lambert."Thisamountstoanaccusationagainstadeadman,andyouoweittoViolatogivethesourceofyourinformation."

"No,Doctor,Icannot!Pleasedon'taskme,Viola.Oh,Ishouldn'thavespoken,butIthoughtonlytohelpyousolvetheproblem."


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"Youhaveonlymadeitharder,unlessyoutellusmore,"saidDr.Lambertgently."Whycannotyoutellus,MissWebb?"

"BecauseI--Ipromisednotto.Oh,can'tyoufindoutforyourselves--inyourownway,abouthisaffairs?Surelyanexamination--"

"Yes,ofcourse,thatwouldbetheproperway,"saidDr.Lambertgravely."Anditmustbedone,Isuppose."

"Itwillleadtonothing--itwillprovenothing,"insistedViola."Iamsuremyfather'saffairswerenotinvolved.Wait,I'llcallAuntMary.Shewasinclosetouchwithallthemoneymattersofourhousehold.Fathertrustedherwithmanybusinessmatters.CallAuntMary!"

Hereyesredwithweeping,butbearingupbravelywithal,MissMaryCarwelljoinedtheconference.She,itseemed,hadguessedsomethingwhenDr.LambertandDr.BairdwereclosetedsolongwithCaptainPoland.

"Wemustfacethefacts,howeverunpleasanttheyare,"saidDr.Lambert,inalowvoice."Wemustrecognizethatthiswillbepublictalkinalittlewhile.Aman--sowell-knownacharacteraswasmyoldfriendHoraceCarwell--cannotdiesuddenlyinthemidstofachampionshipgolfgame,andletthematterrestthere."

"Thepaperswilltakeitup,"saidDr.Baird.

"Thepapers!"brokeinViola.

"Yes,evennowIhavebeenbesiegedbyreportersdemandingtoknowthecauseofdeath.Itwillhavetocomeout.Thereportofthecountyphysician,onwhichonlyaburialcertificatecanbeobtained,ispublicproperty.Thebureauofvitalstatisticsisopentothepublicandthereporters.Thereisboundtobeaninquiry,and,asIhavesaid,Dr.Rowlandhasalreadyannounceditasasuicide.Wemustfacetheissuebravely."

"Butevenifitshouldprovetrue,thathetookthepoison,Iamsureitwillturnouttobeamistake!"declaredViola."Asformyfather'saffairsbeingindangerfinancially--AuntMary,didyoueverhearofsuchathing?"

"Well,mydear,yourfatherkepthisaffairsprettymuchtohimself,"wastheanswerofheraunt."Hedidtellmesomethings,andonlyto-daysomethingcameupthatmakesmethink--Oh,Idon'tknowwhattothink--now!"

"Whatisit?"askedDr.Lambert,quietlybutfirmly."Itisbesttoknowtheworstatonce."

"Ican'tsaythatitisthe'worst,'"repliedMissCarwell;"buttherewassomethingaboutaloantothebank,andnotenoughcollateraltocover--Mr.Blossomshouldhaveattendedtoit,buthedidnot,itseems,and--Won'tyoutellthem?"sheappealedtoCaptainPoland.

"Certainly,"heresponded."Itisasimplematter,"hewenton."Mr.Carwell,asallofusdoattimes,borrowedmoneyfromhisbank,givingcertainsecuritiesascollateralfortheloan.

"Thebank,asallbanksdo,keptwatchonthissecurity,andwhenit


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fellinmarketvaluebelowacertainpoint,wheretherewasnolongersufficientmargintocovertheloansafely,demandedmorecollateral.

"This,forsomereason,Mr.Carwelldidnotputup,nordidhisclerk,Mr.Blossom.IknownothingmoreinthisrespectthanMissCarwelltoldme,"andhebowedtoindicatethedeadman'ssister."Iofferedtoseetothematterforher,puttingupsomecollateralofmyownuntilMr.Carwell'saffairscouldbestraightenedout.Itisameretechnicality,Iimagine,andcanhavenothingtodowith--withthepresentmatter,eventhoughMissWebbseemstothinkso."

"Oh,IamsosorryifIhavemadeamistake!"exclaimedMinnie,nowverypenitent."ButIonlythoughtitwouldbehelping--"

"Itwillbe--toknowthetruth,"saidDr.Lambert."Isthisallthatyouheard,MissWebb?"

"No,itwasnothinglikethat.Ithadnothingtodowithabankloan.Oh,pleasedon'taskme.Ipromisednottotell."

"Verywell,wewon'tforceyoutospeak,"saidthefamilyphysician."Butthismattermustbegoneinto.Whatonepersonknowsothersaresuretofindout.WemustseeBlossom.Heistheonewhowouldhavethemostcompleteknowledgeofyourfather'saffairs,Viola.DidIhear

somethingabouthisgoingintopartnershipwithyourfather?"

"Yes,therewassomesuchplan.Fatherdecidedthatheneededhelp,andhespokeoftakinginMr.Blossom.Iknownomorethanthat,"Violaanswered.

"ThenLeGrandBlossomisthepersontothrowmorelightonthatsubject,"saidDr.Lambert.

Tohimselfheaddedamentalreservationthathedidnotcountmuchonwhatinformationmightcomefromtheheadclerk.Blossom,inthemindofDr.Lambert,wasapersonofnotmuchstrengthofcharacter.Therehadbeencertainepisodesinhislife,informationastowhichhadcome

tothephysicianinaroundaboutway,thatdidnotreflectonhimverywell;though,intruth,hefeltthatthemanwasweakratherthanbad.

"Thenisittobebelievedthatmyfatherwasasuicide?"askedViola,asthoughseekingtoknowtheworst,thatshemightfighttomakeitbetter.

"Onthebarefactsinthecase--yes,"answeredDr.Lambert."Butthatisonlyastartingpoint.Wewillmakenohardandfastdecision."

"Indeedwewillnot,"declaredViola."Theremustbeamostrigidinvestigation."

Andwhentheothershadgone,Dr.Lamberttomakefuneralarrangementsforhisoldfriend,CaptainPolandtoseethebankofficials,Dr.Bairdtohisoffice,takingMinnieWebbhomeinhiscar,andMissGarwelltoherroomtoliedown,Viola,leftalone,gaveherselfuptogrief.Shefeltutterlydowncastandverymuchinneedofafriend.

Andperhapsthisfeelingmadeherwelcome,morecordiallythanwhenshehadlastseenhim,HarryBartlett,whowasannouncedsoonaftertheothersleft.


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"Oh,Harry,haveyouheardtheterriblenews?"falteredViola.

"Youmeanaboutyourfather?Yes,"hesaidgently."ButIdonotbelieveit.Imayaswellspeakplainly,Viola.Yourfather,forsomereasonbestknowntohimself,didnotcareforme.ButIrespectedhim,andinspiteofafeelingbetweenusIadmiredhim.Ifeelsurehedidnotcommitsuicide."

"Buttheysayitlooksverysuspicious,Harry!Oh,tellmewhattodo!"and,impulsively,Violaheldoutherhandstohim.Bartlettpressedthemwarmly.

"I'llserveyouinanywayIcan,"hesaid,gazingfondlyintohereyes."ButIconfessIampuzzled.Idon'tknowwhattodo.Perhapsitwouldbebetter,asDr.Lambertsays,tolookintoyourfather'saffairs."

"Yes.ButIwantmorethanthat!"declaredViola."Iwanthisnameclearedfromanysuspicionofsuicide.AndIwantyoutoundertakeit,Harry!"

"Youwantme?"heexclaimed,drawingback."Me?"

"Yes.Ifeelthatyouwilldobetterthananyoneelse.Oh,youwillhelpme,won'tyou?"shepleaded.

"Ofcourse,Viola.ButIdon'tknowhow."

"Thenletmetellyou,"andsheseemedtobeinbettercontrolofherselfthanatanytimethatday."Thismustbegoneintosystematically,andwecanbestdoitthroughadetective."

"Adetective!"criedHarryBartlett,andhestartedfromhischair."Why,mydearViola,adetectivewouldbetheworstpossiblepersontocallinonacaselikethis!Letmeinvestigate,ifyouthinkitwise,butadetective--"

"Iamnotspeakingofanordinarydetective,Harry.Ihaveinmind

anelderlymanwhowasafriendofmyfather.Hehasanextraordinaryreputationforsolvingmysteries."

"Well,ofcourse,ifyouknowthemanitmakesadifference."Bartletteyedthegirlcuriously."Ididn'tknowyouknewanydetectives."

"ThemanIhaveinmindwasinsomebusinessdealwithmyfatheronce,andtheybecameverywellacquainted.Imethimseveraltimes,andlikedhimimmensely.Heiswellalonginyears,butIthinksharperthanmanyyoungermen.Butthereisonedifficulty."

"Whatisthat?"

"Morethanlikelyhewillshyathavinganythingtodowiththecase.Hetoldmyfatherhewasgoingtoretireanddevotehisleisuretimetofishing--thatbeinghisgreatpastime."

"Humph!hecan'tbemuchofadetectiveifhewantstospendmostofhistimefishing,"wasBartlett'scomment.

"You'remistaken,Harry.Myfather,andothermentoo,consideredhimoneofthegreatestdetectivesintheworld,eventhoughhesometimesworksinaverypeculiarandapparentlyuninterestedmanner.""Allright


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then,Viola.Ifyousayso,I'lllookupthiswonderfuldetectiveforyouandgethimtotakeholdofthecase."

CHAPTERVI.BYAQUIETSTREAM

Droopingwillowsdippedtheirpendantbranchesinthestreamthatfoamedandrippledovergreen,mossystones.Inameadowthatstretchedfairandwideoneithersideofthewater,innumerablegrasshoppersweresingingtheirsongofsummer.Onaverdantbankreclinedaman,whoseadvancedagemightbeindicatedinhiswhiteninglocks,butwhosebrighteyes,andthequick,nervousmovementsasheleafedthepagesofasmall,green-coveredbook,madenegativethefirstanalysis.Alittledistancefromhim,wherethesunbeatdownwarmly,unhinderedbyanyshade,lolledacoloredmanwhoselooknowandthenstrayedtothereadingfigure.

Aglanceovertheshoulderofthereader,wereonesoimpoliteastotakethatliberty,wouldhavedisclosed,amongothers,thispassageontheprintedpage:

"Butyetyouaretonote,thatasyouseesomewillowsor

palmtreesbudandblossomsoonerthanothersdo,sosometroutsbe,inrivers,soonerinseason;andassomeholliesoroaksarelongerbeforetheycasttheirleaves,soaresometroutsinriverslongerbeforetheygooutofseason."

Thegray-hairedmanclosedthebook,therebyrevealingthetitle"Walton'sCompleatAngler,"andlookedacrossthestream.Thesunlightflickeredoveritsripplingsurface,andnowandthentherewasasplashintheotherwisequietwaters--asplashthattothereaderwasilluminatingindeed.

"Shag!"hesuddenlyexclaimed,therebygalvanizingintolifethesomnolentnegro.

"Yes,sah,Colonel!Yes,sah!"cametheresponse.

"Hum!Asleep,weren'tyou?"

"Well,no,sah.Notzactlyasleep,Colonel.Iwerejesttakin'thefustofmahfortywinks,an'--"

"Well,postponetherestforthisevening.IthinkI'llmakesomecastshere.Idon'texpectanytrout,myfriendWaltontothecontrary.Besidesthey'reoutofseasonnow.ButImaygetsomething.Getmetherod,Shag!"

"Yes,sah,Colonel!Yes,sah!"

Andwhilethefishingparaphernaliawasbeingputinreadinessbyhiscoloredservant,ColonelRobertLeeAshleyoncemoreopenedthelittlegreenbook,asthoughtodrawinspirationtherefrom.Andheread:

"Onlythusmuchisnecessaryforyoutoknow,andtobemindfulandcarefulof,thatifthepikeorperchdobreedinthatriver,theywillbesuretobitefirstandmustfirstbetaken.Andforthemostparttheyareverylarge."


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"Well,largeorsmall,itdoesn'tmuchmatter,soIcatchsome,"observedthecolonel.

Thenhecarefullybaitedthehook,afterhehadtakentherodandlinefromShag,whohandleditasthoughitwasarareobjectofart;which,indeed,itwastohismaster.

"Ithinkweshallgobackwithafinemessofperch,Shag,"observedthefisherman.

"Yes,sah,Colonel,dat'swhatwewill,"wasthecheerfulanswer.

"Andthistimewewon't,underanyconsideration,letanythinginterferewithourvacation,Shag."

"No,sah,Colonel.No,sah!"

"Ifyouseemebuyingapaper,Shag,mind,ifyoueverhearmeaskingifthelasteditionisout,stopmeatonce."

"Iwill,Colonel."

"Andifanyonetriestotellmeofamurdermystery,ofabigrobbery,

orofanythingexceptwherethefisharebitingbest,Shag,why,youjust--"

"I'lljestnatchullyknock'emdown,Colonel!Dat'swhatI'lldo!"exclaimedthecoloredman,ascheerfullyasthoughhewouldrelishsuch[Updater'snote:linemissing?]

"Well,Ican'tadvisethat,ofcourse,"saidthecolonelwithasmile,"butyoumayuseyourownjudgment.Icamehereforarest,andIdon'twanttorunintoanotherdiamondcrossmystery,oranythinglikeit."

"No,sah,Colonel.Butyo'suahdidelucidatedatonemostexpeditiouslike.Inevahsawsech--"

"Thatwilldonow,Shag.Idon'twanttoberemindedofit.Icameheretofish,nottowork,norholdanypost-mortemsonpastcases.Nowforit!"andtheelderlymancastinwherealittleeddy,underthegrassybank,indicateddeepwater,inwhichtheperchorotherfishmightlurkthissunnyday.

Andyet,inspiteofhisdeterminationnottorecallthedetailsofthediamondcrossmysterytowhichShaghadalluded,ColonelAshleycouldnothelpdwellingononeortwophasesofwhat,withjustifiablepride,heregardedasoneofthemostsuccessfulofhismanycases.

ColonelRobertLeeAshleywasadetectivebyinstinctandprofession,

thoughoflateyearshehadendeavored,butwithscantsuccess,toturnthemoreroutinemattersofhisprofessionovertohisableassistants.

Tothosewhohavereadofhismasterlysolutionofthediamondcrossmysterythecolonelneedsnointroduction.Hewasawellknowncharacterinpoliceandcriminalcircles,becauseofhissuccessincatchingmanyaslipperyrepresentativeofthelatter.

HehadservedinthesecretserviceduringtheSpanish-Americanwar,andlaterhadbecometheheadofthepolicedepartmentofalargeEastern


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city.Fromthathehadbuiltupaprivatebusinessofhisownthatassumedlargeproportions,untiladvancingageandadesiretofishandreflectcausedhimvirtuallytoretirefromactivework.Andnow,ashehadsooftendonebefore,hehadcometothisquietstreamtoangle.

Andyet,evenashedroppedhisbaitintothewater,hecouldnotkeephisactivemindfrompassinginrapidreviewoversomeoftheeventsofhiscareer--especiallythelateepisodeoftheDarcydiamondcross.

"Well,I'mgladIhelpedoutinthatcase,"musedthecolonel,ashesatupmorealertly,fortherecameatremortohislinethattoldmuchtohispracticedandsensitivehands.

Amomentlaterthereelclickeditssongofastrike,andthecolonelgotfirsttohiskneesandthentohisfeetashepreparedtoplayhisfish.

"I'vehookedone,Shag!"hecalledinalowbuttensevoice."I'vehookedone,andIthinkit'sabeauty!"

"Yes,sah,Colonel!Yes,sah!Dat'sfine!I'llbereadyassoonasyo'is!"

Shagcaughtupalandingnet,for,thoughthecolonelwasnot

anticipatinganygamyfishinthisquiet,countrystream,yetforsuchashecaughtheusedsuchlighttacklethatanetwasneededtobringevenahumbleperchtoshore.

"I'vegothim,Shag!I'vegothim!"thecolonelcried,asthefishbrokewater,ashimmeringshowerofsparklingdropsfallingfromhissides."I'vegothim,andit'sabass,too!Ididn'tthinktherewereanyhere!I'vegothim!"

"Yes,sah,Colonel!Yo'suahhas!"exclaimedthedelightedGeorgeWashingtonShag."Yousuahhasgotabeauty!"

AndasShagstartedforwardwiththelandingnet,whilethecolonel

wasplayingwiththeskilloflongyearsofpracticethefishwhichhaddevelopedunexpectedfightingpowers,therewasamovementamongthebushesthatlinedthestreambelowthewillows,andayoungman,showingeveryevidenceofeagerness,advancedtowardthefisherman.Shagsawhimandcalled:

"Keepback!Keepback,sah,ifyo'please!DeColonel,he'sdonegotabite,an'--"

"Bite!Youmeanthatsomething'sbittenhim?"askedtheyoungman,forhecouldnotseethefigureofthecolonel,who,justthen,inallowingthebasstohavearun,hadfollowedhimupstream.

"No,he'scatchin'afish--he'sgotastrike--abigone!Don'tisturbhim."

"ButImustseehim.I'vecomealongdistanceto--"

"Distanceorclosenessdon'tmakenomattahofdiffuncetodecolonelwhenhe'sgotabite,sah!I'msorry,butIcan'tletyo'goanycloser,an'I'segottogoan'landdefish.Aftahdat,ifyouwantstohabawordwifdecolonel,well,maybehe'llseeyo',sah,"andShag,withawarninggesture,likethatofatrafficpolicemanhaltingalineof


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automobiles,startedtowardthecolonel,whowasstillplayinghisfish.

HarryBartlett,forheitwaswhohadthussomewhatrudelyinterruptedthedetective'sfishing,stoppedintheshadeofthewillows,somewhatchagrined.Hehadcomealongwayforatalk,andnowtobethusheldbackbyacoloredmanwhoseemedtohavenoideaoftheimportanceofthemissionwasprovoking.

ButtherewassomethingauthoritativeinShag'smanner,and,beingabusinessman,HarryBartlettknewbetterthantomakeaninauspiciousapproach.Itwouldbeasbadasslicinghisgolfballonthedrive.

Sohewaitedbesidethesilentstream,notsosilentasithadbeen,foritwasdisturbedbythemovements,upanddown,ofColonelAshley,whowasplayinghisfishwithconsummateskill.

Seeingalittlegreenbookonthegrasswhereithadfallen,HarryBartlettpickeditup.Idlyopeningthepages,heread:

"Thereisalsoafishcalledasticklebag,afishwithoutscales,buthehathhisbodyfencedwithseveralprickles.Iknownotwherehedwellsinwinter,norwhatheisgoodforinsummer,butonlytomakesportforboysandwomenanglers,andtofeedotherfishthatbefishofprey,as

troutinparticular,whowillbiteathimasatapenk,andbetter,ifyourhookberightlybaitedwithhim;forhemaybesobaited,as,histailturninglikeasailofawindmill,willmakehimturnmorequickthananypenkorminnowcan."

"IguessI'vegottherightman,"saidHarryBartlettwithasmile.

CHAPTERVII.THEINQUEST

"Ready,now,Shag!Ready!"calledColonelAshley,intensetones."Readywiththenet!"

"Yes,sah!Allready!"

"I'vegothimaboutreadyforyou!Andhe'sbetterthanIthought!"

"Yes,sah,Colonel!Iwon'tmiss!"

"Ifyoudoyoumaylookforanotherplace!"AtthisdirethreatShagturnedaswhiteashewouldeverbecome,andtookafirmergriponthe"Readynow,Shag!"calledthecolonel,atthesametimedirectinghishelpertocomedownthebanktowardalittlepoolwhitherhewasleading

thenowwell-playedfish."Ready!"

Shagdidnotspeak,butwhilethecolonelslowlyreeledinandthetipoftheslenderpolebentlikeabow,heslippedthenetintothewater,underthefish,and,amomentlater,haditoutonthegrass.

"There!"exclaimedthefamousdetective,withasighofrelief."Thereheis,andasfineafishasI'veeverlandedintheseparts!Now,Shag--"


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Buttherecameaninterruption.Reasoningthatnowwasamostpropitioustimetomakehisappeal,HarryBartlettadvancedtowherethecolonelandShagwerebendingoverthepantingbass.Asthedetective,withasmartblowbackofitshead,puthiscatchoutofmisery,Bartlettspoke.

"Excuseme,"hesaid,deferentiallyenough,forhesawthetypeofmanwithwhomhehadtodeal,"butareyounotColonelAshley?"

"Iam,sir!"andthecolonellookedupasheslippedthefishintohisgrass-linedcreel.

"IamMr.Bartlett.IfollowedyouherefromNewYork,andIwishto--"

"Ifit'sanythingaboutbusiness,Mr.Bartlett,letmesaveyourtimeandmyown--bothvaluable,Itakeit--bystatingthatIcameheretofish,andnottotalkbusiness.Excusemeforputtingitthusbluntly,butIseenoreasonformanywords.Icannotconsideranybusiness.ThatisallattendedtoatmyNewYorkoffice,andIamsurprisedthattheyshouldevenhavegivenyoumyaddress.Itoldthemnotto."

"Itwasnoeasymattertogetit,Colonel,Iassureyou,"and--Bartlettsmiledgenially."Andpleasedon'tblameanyoneinyourofficefordisclosingyourwhereabouts.Ididnotgetyouraddressfromthem,I

assureyou."

"Fromwhom,then,ifImayask?"

"FromSpotty."AndagainBartlettsmiled.

"What?SpottyMorgan?"

"Yes."

"Areyou--doyouknowhim?"andthedetectivecouldnotkeeptheinterestoutofhisvoice.

"Ratherwell.Isavedhimfromdrowningoncesomeyearsago,andhehasn'tforgottenit.Itwasatasummerresort,andSpotty,thoughheisagoodswimmer,didn'testimatetheforceoftheundertow.Ipulledhimoutjustintime."

"Strange,"murmuredthecolonel."Astrangecoincidence."

"Ibegpardon,"saidHarrypolitely.

"Oh,nothing,"wentonthedetective."Only,asithappens,Spottysavedmylifesometimeago.It'sjustacoincidence,that'sall.SoSpottygaveyoumyaddress,didhe?"

"Yes.IhadcalledatyourNewYorkoffice,and,asyousay,yourclerkshadordersnottodiscloseyourwhereabouts.IusedeverycajoleryanddeviceofwhichIwasmaster,butitwasnoavail.Iurgedtheimportanceitwastomyselfandotherstoknowwhereyouwere,buttheywereobdurate.Iwascomingout,muchdisappointed,whenIsawSpottyemergingfromaninneroffice.Heknewmeatonce,thoughitisyearssincewemet,andgoingdownintheelevatorImentionedthatIwaslookingforyou.Itoldhimsomethingofthereasonforwantingtofindyouand--Well,hetoldmeyouwerehere."


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"AndheisabouttheonlypersoninNewYorkoutsideofmymostconfidentialmanwhocouldhavedonethat,"observedthecolonel,asheslowlyreeleduphisline."Onereasonwhytheclerksinmyofficecouldnotgiveyoumyaddresswasbecausetheydidnothaveit.SoSpotty,whomustjusthavefinishedhisbit,told."

"Butpleasedon'tholdthatagainsthim,"urgedBartlett."Ifheviolatedaconfidence--"

"Hedid,inaway,yes,"observedthediscipleofIzaakWalton."ButIshallhavetoforgivehim,Isuppose.ItmusthavebeenratherastrongreasonthatinducedhimtotellyouwhereIhadgone."

"Itwas,ColonelAshley,thestrongestreasonintheworld.Itistohelpclearupthemystery--"

"Stop!"fairlyshoutedthecolonel."Ifit'sadetectivecaseIdon'twanttohearit!Notaword!Shag,showthisgentlemanthedoor--Ibegyourpardon,Ididn'tmeantoberude,"wentonthecolonelwithhisusualpoliteness."ButIreallycannotlisten.Icameheretorestandfish,nottotakeupnewdetectivecases.Youknowwheremyofficeis.Theywillattendtoyouthere.Ihavegivenupbusinessforthetimebeing."

"Andyet,ColonelAshley,thepersonwhosentmewillhavenoonebutyou.Shesaysyouaretheonlyonewhocangetatthebottomofthepuzzlingcase."

Inspiteofhimselfthecolonel'sfacelightedupatthewords"puzzlingcase,"butashiseyesfellonthecreelcontaininghisfishheturnedaside."No,"hesaid,"Iamsorry,butIcannotlistentoyou.Shag,kindly--"

HarryBartlettwasnotasuccessfulbusinessmanfornothing.Heknewhowtomakeanappeal."IcametoseeyouattherequestofMissViolaCarwell,"hesaidslowly."Shesentmetofindyou--toldmenottocomebacktoherwithoutyou.Achangecameoverthecolonel'sfaceatthe

mentionofViola'sname.

"Youcamefromher--fromthedaughterofHoraceCarwell?"heaskedquickly.

"Idid,"answeredBartlett.

"Well,ofcourse,thatmightmakeadifference.Ihopemyoldfriendisnotintrouble--norhisdaughter,"andtherewasanewqualityinthevoice.

"Mr.Carwell'stroublesareallover--ifhehadany,"returnedBartlettsimply.

"Youmean--"

"Heisdead."

Thecolonelutteredanexclamation.

"Pardonmyratherbruskreceptionofyou,"heapologized."Ididnotknowthat.Wasitrecently--suddenly?"


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"Bothrecentlyandsuddenly."

"IdidnotknowthatIseldomreadthepapers,andhavenotlookedatonelately.Ihadnotheardthathewasill."

"'Hewasn't,ColonelAshley.Mr.CarwelldiedverysuddenlyontheMaraposaGolfClublinks,aftermakingastrokethatgavehimthechampionship."

"Heartdiseaseorapoplexy?"

"Neitherone.Itwaspoison."

"Youamazeme,Mr.--er--Mr.--"

"Bartlett.Yes,Mr.Carwelldiedofpoison,astheautopsyshowed."

"'Washe--didhe--"

"Thatiswhatwewanttofindout,"interruptedthemessengereagerly."ThecountyphysiciansaysMr.Carwellisasuicide.Hisdaughter,MissViola,cannotbelieveit.NorcanI.Therehasbeensometalkthathisaffairsareinvolved.Asyoumayhaveknown,hewassomewhatofa--"

"Hissportingproclivitiesweresomewhatdifferentfrommine,"saidtheolddetectivedryly."Youneedn'texplain.Everymanmustlivehisownlife.Buttellmemore."

ThereuponBartlettgavethedetailsasheknewthem,bearingonthedeathofthefatherofthegirlheloved.

"Andshesentyoutofindme?"askedthedetective.

"Yes.MissViolasaidyouwereanoldfriendofherfather's,andifanyonecouldsolvethemysteryofhisdeathyoucould.Forthatthereisamysteryaboutit,manyofusbelieve."

"Theremaybe.Poisonisalwaysmoreorlessofamystery.Butjustwhatdoyouwantmetodo?"

"Comebackwithmeifyouwill,ColonelAshley.MissCarwellwantsyoutoaidher--aidallofus,forweareallatsea.Willyou?Shesentmetopleadwithyou.IwenttoyourNewYorkoffice,andfromSpottyMorganlearnedyouwerehere.I--"

"IsupposeIshallhavetoforgiveSpotty,"murmuredthefisherman.

"Theytoldmeatthehotelyouhadcomehere,"wentonBartlett,"soIfollowed.Iwasluckyinfindingyou."

"Idon'tknowaboutthat,"murmuredthecolonel,smiling."Itmaybeunfortunate.Well,Iamdeeplyshockedatmyoldfriend'sdeath--andsuchatragictakingoff.HoraceCarwellwasmyverygoodfriend.Heoncedidmeagreatservice,whenIneededmoneybadly,byhelpingmemakeaninvestmentincopperthatturnedoutextremelywell.Ifeelmyselfunderobligationstohim;and,sinceheisnomore,Imusttransferthatobligationtohisdaughter."

"Thenyou'llcomewithmetoseeher,ColonelAshley?"


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"Yes.Shag,packup!We'regoingbacktocivilization."

Thecoloredman'sfacewasastudy.Helookedatthequietstream,atthedroopingwillows,atthefishrodinhismaster'shand,andatthecreel.Heopenedhismouthandspoke:

"But,Colonel,yo'donetolemet'--"

"NomatterwhatItoldyou,Shag,theseareneworders.Packup!"camethecrispcommand."We'regoingbacktotown.I'lldowhatIcaninthiscase,"hewentontoBartlett."Icamehereforsomequietfishing,andtogetmymindoffdetectivework.Iwasdraggedintoadiamondcrossmysterynotlongsince,sorelyagainstmywill,andnow--"

"Iamsorry--"beganBartlett.

"Oh,well,itcan'tbehelped,"thecolonelsaid."I'dgiveupmorethanafishingtripforadaughterofHoraceCarwell.YoumayletherknowthatI'llcome,ifitwillgiveheranycomfort.Though,mindyou,"thecolonel'smannerwasimpressive,"Ipromisenothing."

"Thatisunderstood,"saidBartletteagerly."I'llwireherthatyouarecoming.There'satrainthatleavesrightaftersupper.Wecangetthat--"

"I'lltakeit!"decidedthecolonel.Nowthathehadgivenuphischerishedfishinghewasallbusinessagain."Shag!"

"Yes,sah,Colonel!"

"Packupfortheeveningtrain.GivethatfishtothecookandhaveitservedforMr.Bartlettandmyself.You'lldinewithme,"hewenton.Itwasanorder,notaninvitation,butBartlettunderstood,andacceptedwithabow.

Afewhourslaterheandthecolonelleftthelittletownwherethedetectivehadgoneforsuchashortvacation,andwereontheirwayto

Lakeside,whichtheyreachedearlyinthemorning.

"Nowifyou'lltellmethebesthoteltostopathere,"saidthecolonel,astheyalightedfromthetrain,"I'llputupthereandseeMissCarwell."

"Sherequestedmetobringyouatoncetoherhome,"saidBartlett."Youaretobeherguest.Shethoughtperhapsyouwouldwanttoexaminethe--toseeMr.Carwell'sbody--before--"

"Oh,yes.IsupposeIhadbetter.Thenthefuneralhasnotbeenheld?"

"No,itwaspostponedattherequestofthecountyphysician."

"Hastherebeenacoroner'sinquest?"

"No.NonewasdeemednecessaryatthetimeIleft,atthesolicitationofMissCarwell,togetyou."

"Isee.InquestsarelessoftenheldinNewJerseythaninsomeoftheotherstates.Well,thenIsupposeImayaswellgototheCarwellhomewithyou."


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"Yes.Iwiredformycartomeetus.It'shereIsee.Rightoverhere."

Bartlettledtheway,thecolonelfollowing,andShagbringinguptherearwiththebags.

AsthemachinestartedfromthestationBartlettlookeduptothemorningsky.Therewasalittlespeckinit,nolargerthanaman'shand.Itgrewlarger,andbecameanospreyonitswaytotheseainsearchofafish.

AsthecardrewupinfrontoftheCarwellmansion,fromthebellofwhichflutteredadismallengthofcrepe,amansteppedfromtheshadowofthegatepostsandheldoutapapertoHarryBartlett.

"Whatisit?"askedBartlett.

"Asubpoena,"wastherathergruffanswer.

"Asubpoena?Whatfor?"

"Thecoroner'sinquest.You'llhavetoappearandgiveevidence.They'regoingtohaveaninquesttofindoutmoreaboutMr.Carwell'sdeath.That'sallIknow.I'mfrompoliceheadquarters.Iwastoldtowaitaroundhere,asyouwereexpected,andtoservethatonyou.Don't

forgettobethere.It'sacourtorder,"andthemanslunkaway.

"Aninquest,"murmuredBartlett,ashelookedatthepaperinhishand."Ithoughttheyweren'tgoingtohaveany,"andheglancedquicklyatColonelAshley.

CHAPTERVIII.ONSUSPICION

ColonelRobertLeeAshleywasusedtosurprises.Thiswasnatural,consideringhiscalling,andatsomeofthesurpriseshewasasilent

spectator,whileatothershefurnishedthesurprise.Inthiscaseheservedinhisformercapacity,merelynotingtheratherstartledlookonthefaceofHarryBartlettwhenhandedthesubpoenatothecoroner'sinquest.

"Ithoughttheyweren'tgoingtohaveany,"Bartlettrepeated,butwhethertohimselfinasortofdaze,toColonelAshley,ortothemanfromheadquarterswasnotclear.AtanyrateColonelAshleyansweredhimbysaying:

"YounevercantellwhatJerseyjust

THE GOLF COURSE MYSTERY by Chester K. Steele

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