/
Left to her own resources, Mrs. Hale diligently
searched the room. She had about decided to
stop, disgusted with her lack of results when on
feeling about in the depths of the top drawer of
Austin's bureau she touched a small book, and
pulled it out. On its leather cover she saw
221
The Unseen Ear
stamped in gold the insignia of a Senior secret
society at Yale.
Mrs. Hale turned over several of the leaves and
glanced down the pages, hesitated a moment then,
placing the book in her convenient knitting bag,
she proceeded to the dining room to make certain
that Maud had properly set the luncheon table.
She was particular about small household details.
As she passed the door of Judith's boudoir she
failed to see Richards standing somewhat in its
shadow regarding her. Richards was still gazing
after her retreating figure when Judith, who was
in their bedroom dressing for luncheon, called to
him.
" Please ring for Maud," she asked as he ap-
peared, and obediently he returned to the boudoir
and reached for the push button. The act was
mechanical, and it was not until he had made three
attempts to ring the bell that he realized that the
small object he was fingering was not the push
button.
Richards stepped back and surveyed the bou
doir walls. The bell he sought was on the other
side of the door leading into their bedroom. Af-
ter pressing the button he walked back and exam-
ined the little object on the opposite wall. To all
intents and purposes it resembled an electric push
222
The Push Button
button, hanging just below an enlarged photo-
graph of Mrs. Hale.
.Richards' strong sensitive fingers felt behind
the framed photograph until they encountered a
tiny wire. It wound in and out along the picture
wire until it encountered the wires of the branch
telephone. He stood in deep thought for some
minutes, then walked into the bedroom.
"Can I be of service, dear?" he asked his
wife. " Maud hasn't answered the bell."
Judith, wrestling with a refractory hook, shook
her head. " Thanks, but Maud's clever fingers
are needed to disentangle this mess," she said.
" Do you mind running downstairs and telling
her to come to me? The bell must be out of
order."
" I'll have her here in a jiffy," Richards an-
swered, but, once in the hall, his footsteps lagged.
No one was in sight, and getting down on his
knees he felt along the telephone wire which ran
on top of the wall board. The same fine wire was
fastened in place alongside it. Step by step
Richards traced the two wires running side by side
until they crossed the door-jamb of Mr. and Mrs.
Robert Hale's bedroom. They were old-fash-
ioned in their ideas and occupied the same room.
Richards tapped, first gently, then more loudly,
223
The Unseen Ear
on the partly opened door and getting no response,
he walked inside. It was a large room filled with
handsome mahogany furniture, the carved four-
post bedstead taking up the greater space. But
Richards had eyes for but one object standing on
a table in an obscure corner of the room, with a
soft typewriter cover partly concealing the re-
ceivers and earpieces from view. Walking over
to it, Richards lifted the cover and examined the
instrument. When he laid the cover down his
expression indicated incredulity and a dawning
horror.
With what object had Robert Hale or his wife,
or both, placed a dictagraph in Judith's boudoir?
CHAPTER XVI
LINKS IN THE CHAIN
ANNA, the waitress, answered Robert
Hale's persistent ring of the front bell
with all the speed her strained ankle
would permit. At sight of her, Hale restrained
an outburst of temper and with a mumbled,
" Thanks," stamped past her into the central hall
of his home.
"Is my brother in the house, Anna?" he in-
quired, tossing down his overcoat and hat on the
first chair he came to.
" Yes, sir, I believe so." Anna closed the front
door as an icy current of air blew her becoming
cap at right angles. " His hat and cane are here
on the coat stand, and I heard him ask Mr. Lati-
mer to go to his room with him as they left the
dining room after luncheon."
Hale paused on his way to the library. " Who
lunched here? "
" Mrs. Hale, Miss Judith, Major Richards, Mr.
Latimer, and Mr. John, sir," Anna explained in
detail. " Mrs. Hale complained of a headache
225
The Unseen Ear
and the Major volunteered to take her for a run
in Miss Judith's electric."
" Did Miss Judith accompany them ? "
" Yes, sir."
Hale looked at the pretty waitress. It was the
first time that he had seen her since her injury to
her ankle. Contrary to expectations, he had not
returned for luncheon but had remained at the
club.
"How are you feeling, Anna?" he asked
kindly. " Not overdoing it by being about too
soon, are you ? "
" No, sir." Anna flushed with pleasure. Hale
seldom addressed her, much less took an interest
in her welfare, and she had some ado to conceal
her surprise. " I'm feeling fine, sir. Is there
anything I can do for you, sir, before I go up-
stairs?"
"You are going upstairs?" Hale halted.
" Then please stop at Mr. John's room and
tell him that I would like to see him alone in the
den."
" Very good, sir," and Anna sought the back
stairs and limped her way to the third floor.
John Hale's bedroom was almost directly op-
posite that occupied by his stepson Austin. As
Anna came down the hall she was greeted by
226
Links in the Chain
tobacco smoke which drifted through the open
transom over John Hale's door. In response to
her knock he came into the hall.
"If you please, Mr. John, your brother wishes
to see you alone in the den," she said.
"Now?"
"Yes, sir, I suppose so. Mr. Hale just said
that he would like to see you," and having de-
livered her message, Anna executed her bob of a
courtesy and went her way.
John Hale walked back into his bedroom with
a scowling face, and over to the divan where
Frank Latimer lounged, smoking his inevitable
cigarette.
" Robert's sent for me," he stated. " What do
you suppose he is up to ? "
Latimer dropped his cigarette in the smoking
stand and stood up.
" Mrs. Davis told me, you recollect, that Polly
had resigned her position as his secretary," he
reminded him. " Probably your brother has just
received a note from her."
" By Jove ! " John Hale's scowl vanished.
" The note may give Polly's address. Come on,
Frank," and he made for the door, followed in a
more leisurely fashion by his companion.
" Didn't your brother send word that he wished
227
The Unseen Ear
to see you alone ? " he asked. " I thought I heard
Anna tell you so."
" She did, that's true " John Hale paused at
the head of the staircase. " Wait for me, will
you? I won't be long. And then, if there is no
address on Polly's note, we'll motor to Markham
and see for ourselves if Polly is there or not."
" But, look here "
" No ' buts,' ' John Hale slapped him on the
back. The prospect of action had brought back
his spirits. " You've got to see me through this,
Frank, for the sake of ' auld lang syne.' You've
kept me out of trouble before, remember that "
and he gripped Latimer's hand and wrung it.
" It looks as if I had contracted for a big job,'*
groaned Latimer, expanding his fingers which
tingled from John Hale's pressure. " I'll gladly
turn you over to Polly with my blessings. I'll
wait for you in the library, but don't be long."
" All right," and the two friends parted on the
second floor.
John Hale did not go at once to his brother's
den. Instead, he watched Latimer disappear
down the circular staircase, then very slowly
crossed the hall and looked inside Judith's bou-
doir. It was empty. With indecision written
plainly on his face, he turned about and sought
228
Links in the Chain
the den. Robert Hale looked up from his desk,
where he was writing with feverish speed, as his
brother entered.
" Close the door, John," he directed, and waited
in silence until his brother had crossed the room
and stood by the fireplace, in which a gas log
burned. " Sit down."
John Hale regarded his brother with no
friendly eyes. He had always resented what he
termed " Robert's elder brother act," and his dic-
tatorial manner generally grated, besides which
their natures were too diametrically opposed ever
to agree on any subject. John's height and com-
manding figure had always been a source of envy
to his delicate brother, while the latter's scientific
achievements and financial prosperity had served
to widen the breach between them.
" I can stay only a minute," John announced,
lounging against the mantel. " What do you
wish to see me about? "
Hale's thin lips tightened into a straight line.
" Sit down first," his manner was a bit more
courteous " and I will explain. No, take that
chair where you can face me," and John, against
his wishes, dropped into a seat facing not only his
brother but the full glare of light from the win-
dow.
229
The Unseen Ear
"Well, what is it?" he asked, as his brother
volunteered no remark.
" Can you tell me the present whereabouts of
my secretary, Polly Davis?" asked Hale.
"Why do you ask?"
" Because she has sent me her resignation, and
I desire to find out where she has gone and why
she has skipped."
" Skipped ? " There was instant anger in
John's loud tone. " What d'ye mean,
'skipped'?"
" Run away, if you like it better." It was im-
possible to mistake Hale's sneering manner.
With a curse, John started from his chair.
"You" he began.
" Quiet, John," cautioned Hale suavely.
" Hear what I have to say before you lose your
temper."
John dropped back in his chair. " Go on," he
shouted, " but don't try me too far; keep a civil
tongue when you speak of Polly she is
pure and sweet and I'll not have her character
defiled."
" And she met Austin here on Tuesday night,"
Hale commented dryly. " You know Austin's
reputation sit down ! " as John again started to
his feet. " Either hear me to the end or leave
230
Links in the Chain
now," and Hale threw himself back in his seat.
" I will not be interrupted every second."
With difficulty the younger brother mastered
his rage. At all cost he felt that he must get
information about Polly, and he could do so only
by maintaining self-control. He knew his
brother too well to doubt that if Hale awoke
to the fact that John desired such information he
would withhold it from sheer deviltry.
" I am listening," he said sullenly. " Only re-
member, my time is valuable."
Hale smiled with his lips only. " Let us face
the situation," he remarked. " Polly met Austin
here on Tuesday night "
" How do you know she did? " John demanded
hotly.
" I saw her," calmly.
" You " John stared at him. " You were
ill in bed."
" I was ill but not in bed," corrected Hale.
" Anna had forgotten to put a glass of ice water
on my bed table and, becoming thirsty, I got up,
walked down the hall and helped myself from
the pitcher and glasses which always stand there
at night." He paused. " I started to return
when I thought I heard a woman crying and I
took several steps down the circular staircase "
231
The Unseen Ear
" Well ? " prompted John, as his brother
stopped to take breath. " Continue."
" You are interested ? " A mocking gleam
shone for an instant in Hale's deep-set eyes. " I
glanced over the bannister into the central hall and
saw Polly Davis come out of the library."
The silence in the den grew oppressive. Sud-
denly John Hale raised both hands and tugged at
his collar as if for air v Then, just as suddenly,
his hands fell to his sides.
"What followed?" he asked, and Hale won-
dered at the moderation of his tone. He had ex-
pected a tongue-lashing at the least, if not a
physical encounter his taut muscles relaxed and
he assumed an easier position.
" Polly stood clinging to the portieres for an
instant, then before I could call to her, she ran to
the front door and dashed outside," Hale con-
tinued.
" Did you go downstairs ? " questioned John.
" No, I did not feel equal to the exertion," Hale
explained. " I returned to bed."
" What ? Without going to see what Polly was
doing here and why she should be crying ? " asked
John incredulously.
Hale smiled cynically. " I have been brought
up on woman's tears," he remarked. " Agatha
232
Links in the Chain
has let loose the floodgates so often that I am
schooled to indifference. I supposed Polly had
been with Judith in the library, and it was not
until I was told of Austin's death that I ascribed
another reason for her presence here after mid-
night."
John looked at him with bloodshot eyes.
" Don't try me too far," he warned. " It
wouldn't take much to kill you," and he extended
his powerful hands, fingers distended as if to grip
their prey.
His brother watched him unmoved.
" It is easy to kill a man witness Austin's
murder," he commented. " But it is unpleasant
to swing for the crime. I am glad Polly has
bolted."
" You jump to conclusions," retorted John.
" Because TOM saw Polly coming out of the library
it does not prove that she killed Austin, nor does
it prove that she knew he was here, nor that she
talked with him,"
" That is true," agreed Hale ; " but in addition
to seeing her leave the library I know that she
had borrowed Agatha's latchkey. I know she
expected to see Austin "
" Prove it," John shouted. " I demand proof."
Hale unlocked his desk drawer, took out a
233
The Unseen Ear
crumpled sheet of typewriting, and, still retaining
a firm hold on the sheet, extended it so that his
brother could read the words. " This is a page
copied from my manuscript," he explained.
" Polly spoiled the sheet by reversing the carbon,"
he turned it over and showed the impression on
the other side " but before she did so she indi-
cated where her thoughts were straying by this "
and his finger pointed to the typed lines, re-
peated several times at the bottom of the sheet:
" Saw Austin io-t-b-53-76c."
" What gibberish is that ? " asked John scorn-
fully.
" Not gibberish," calmly, " but the combina-
tion of my safe."
The striking of the clock as the hands registered
three sounded like a knell in John Hale's ears.
His brother was the first to speak.
" These links in the chain of evidence consid-
ered separately are weak," he admitted candidly,
" but taken together, they are strong. ' K
" I don't believe it," protested John. " It is
all circumstantial evidence "
" To which Polly has lent substance by her dis-
appearance," retorted Hale: "Had she stayed
here and continued as my secretary, attention
would not have been attracted to her."
234
Links in the Chain
John did not reply at once and Hale, watching
him, noted his changed expression with bated
interest.
" To sum up," Male's voice cut the silence
and scraped afresh John's raw nerves " Polly
was engaged to Austin can you deny it ? "
Receiving no reply, he went on, " Polly knew he
would be here Tuesday night, witness her pres-
ence in the house at midnight; she supplied him
with the combination of my safe; she was seen
leaving the library at the very time he must have
been murdered, and his body was found lying near
the open safe "
" Hold on, she may have been here and all
that," John broke in with rough vehemence, " but
some one else may have killed Austin even in her
presence "
"Then why has she not told the police?"
John remained silent, and his brother continued
speaking. " I hoped Polly would brave it out
here, and to reduce her anxieties for I know
how pushed she is for money I increased her
salary and held my tongue."
John stared at him long and intently before
again addressing him.
" Why have you kept silent and not informed
the police of your suspicions?" he asked, curi-
235
The Unseen Ear
ously. " Charity is not usually one of your
virtues."
" Austin deserved what he got," Hale answered
slowly. " And I was always fond of a sport-
ing chance. Therefore, John, find Polly and I
will aid you to finance a trip to a country where
extradition is not enforced."
John's face flamed scarlet. Slowly his color
ebbed and his hands unclenched, and when he
spoke his voice was low and measured.
" Where am I to find Polly? "
Hale took a letter from his desk. " Polly
writes that she is called out of town and, not
knowing the date of her return, fears that she
will be unable to continue as my secretary, and
with every good wish, begs to remain faithfully
mine." Hale shrugged his shoulders by way of
comment, and added : " The letter is dated this
morning, has no street address on it, and was
sent to my club. See for yourself," and he tossed
the letter to him.
John read the familiar writing several times,
then folding the sheet, tucked it in his pocket and
rose.
" Is there anything else you wish to see me
about? " he asked.
" No." Hale turned carelessly back to his
236
Links in the Chain
desk. " Take a fool's advice and do not pro-
crastinate in your search for Polly."
John walked in silence to the door. Once there,
he looked back and addressed his brother.
" Some day I'll wring your damn neck ! " he
exclaimed, and his brother's mocking laughter was
still ringing in his ears as he went down the circu-
lar staircase.
The sound of voices at the front door aroused
him from his thoughts, and, looking in that direc-
tion, he saw Maud, the parlor maid, conversing
with a District messenger boy. She was in the
act of signing a receipt when an oblong package
on which she was trying to write, slipped from
her awkward fingers and struck with a resound-
ing thud on the marble floor of the vestibule.
There was a tinkle of broken glass as the tissue
paper covering burst. The messenger, scenting
trouble, snatched the receipt out of her hand and
bolted down the steps, while Maud, with a loud
exclamation, stooped and picked up the package.
"Look at that, now!" she gasped in tragic
tones, as John Hale stopped beside her.
" What'll I do? I>e broken the crystal of Major
Richards' watch." And tearing off the remains
of the tissue paper, she held the piece of jewelry
before him.
237
The Unseen Ear
John Hale scarcely heard her words, his atten-
tion was entirely centered on the open-faced
watch. Small bits of crystal still clung to its
face, but the dial had not been injured and the
hands were intact.
" Where did the watch come from? " he asked,
and at the eagerness in his voice Maud looked up.
" It's Major Richards' ! " she explained.
" Jennings, the watchmaker on Fourteenth Street,
sent word by the boy that he couldn't get it over
last night as promised, so he sent it this after-
noon. What will the Major say to me?" and
Maud's distress found vent in a subdued sniff
presaging a burst of tears.
" Don't worry, Maud; I'll explain to Major
Richards that the accident was unavoidable. Let
me have the watch," and as Maud expressed vol-
uble thanks, he sped into the library, the watch
dangling from its chain.
" Frank," he cried. " Hurry, man, I've
found " he checked himself at sight of Judith
sitting on the lounge talking to Latimer.
Judith turned her head at his abrupt entrance
and looked at him, then her eyes wandered from
his excited face to the watch which he held at
arm's length as he advanced toward them.
" See! " he exclaimed, and rested the watch on
238
Links in the Chain
the tufted side of the lounge, where both Judith
and Latimer had a close view of its antique
beauty. Judith bent closer and when she straight-
ened up her face was flushed.
" It is Austin's watch! " she declared. " I can
swear to it."
" You need not swear it is Austin's watch,"
John Hale's tone was cold and cutting. " But
yon can explain how the watch came in the pos-
session of your husband, Major Richards."
Judith's bright color faded. " It is in your
possession, and not in the possession of my hus-
band," she retorted. " Had you not better do
the explaining? "
" Willingly the watch has been in my hands
just about four minutes." John lifted the paper
tag attached to the chain. " Listen, Judith
' Major J. C. Richards repair broken link in
chain and return immediately.' Your husband
left the watch and chain with Jennings and he
has returned it." John Hale moderated his rapid
speech and spoke with impressiveness. " Austin
was murdered and his watch stolen that watch
has turned up ticketed with your husband's name.
Kindly explain it."
Judith was conscious of the intent watchfulness
of her uncle and Frank Latimer as they waited
2 39
The Unseen Ear
for her reply, and with all her will power she
strove to steady her voice.
" My husband is out just now," she stated
clearly. " When he returns he will explain every-
thing to our satisfaction."
"Will he?" John Kale's high temper had
slipped control. " I see it all now. Your father
knows your husband killed Austin, and to save
family scandal has plotted evidence against Polly
Davis, even buying her silence and providing
funds to have her disappear."
"Have you taken leave of your senses?" de-
manded Judith, breaking into his torrent of
words.
" No, on the contrary, every faculty is on the
alert," retorted John Hale. " By God, to think
of Robert's trying to shield Richards by making
an innocent girl appear guilty. It's an outrage
and I'll expose every rotten one of you "
" Steady, John ! " Latimer stepped in front
of him. " Go easy ! You shan't insult Judith
in my presence."
" Don't you interfere. Judith shall learn the
truth about her rascally husband" he waved
the watch in front of the white-faced girl.
" Richards took this watch from Austin as he
took your Valve bonds from your father's safe.
240
Links in the Chain
I've got the goods on him, and he'll swing for
Austin's murder."
" He will not ! " Judith's voice rose, clear and
strong, and silenced even her overwrought uncle.
Her eyes glowed with passionate anger as she
faced him. " You dare to threaten me, Uncle
John?"
" I dare to protect Polly Davis from under-
hand, blackguardly treatment," he replied. " It
is a frame-up."
" Is it ? " Judith's smile was dangerous.
" Go back to Polly and take her that watch. Tell
her there is a link missing in the chain you are
trying to forge and I have it, although she may
have the Mizpah locket. Go, both of you ! "
John Hale started as if stung. Then, without
a word he pocketed the watch and, seizing Lati-
mer's arm, dragged him out of the room.
CHAPTER XVII
THE DANCING SILHOUETTES
ON hearing the slam of the front door
behind her uncle and Frank Latimer,
Judith went to the windowed alcove of
the library overlooking the street on which their
house faced and, concealed from the view of
passers-by, she watched John Hale and his com-
panion enter the former's touring car and drive
off. Not until the car had turned the corner did
she relax her vigilant attitude, then, turning, she
paced up and down the floor. She could not keep
still. Her nerves were aquiver, her brain on fire.
How had Austin's antique watch come into her
husband's possession? Again and again her lips
framed the same question with but the one an-
swer. Richards must have taken it from Austin's
dead body. But why why ? Austin was
wearing the watch when murdered ; that she could
swear to. Had she not taken the Mizpah locket
from its chain in that awful moment when she
had first discovered his body and left the watch
with its dangling broken chain in his pocket?
242
The Dancing Silhouettes
What was it her husband had told her? She
pressed her fingers against her throbbing temples
in an effort to remember. He had returned just
as she reached the hall, had carried her uncon-
scious to their boudoir, revived her, gone down-
stairs for a bottle of bromides and discovered
Austin lying murdered in the library. She whit-
ened to the lips. Had he seized the opportunity
to rifle her father's safe, the door of which
was open, before sending for the coroner and
police ?
He had sold Valve bonds belonging to her which
had disappeared that night from the safe, and
now Judith raised her hands in silent, passion-
ate protest if Joe, in dire need of money, had
yielded to sudden overwhelming temptation and
taken her bonds, why why had he stolen Aus-
tin's watch? It could bring him no money re-
turn, for the first attempt to sell it would focus
suspicion upon him.
If he had been so mad as to steal the watch as
well as the bonds, why had he been so foolhardy
as to send it to a watchmaker to have the chain
repaired, trusting to any messenger to return it
to him unknown, to others ?
Judith stopped short in her restless walk as a