The Mansion of Mystery | Page 5

servant, see anybody?"
"She thinks she saw somebody near the river, but she is not sure; in fact,
she is so scared that she is all mixed up. She has told the police a
thousand times that she had nothing to do with the crime."
"Did Miss Langmore see anybody?"
"She saw a Doctor Bird pass in his buggy and a farmer named Carboy
go by on foot."
"When was this?"
"While she was at the piano. She doesn't know the exact time."
There was a pause and the detective gave a faraway look out of the
window and down the bustling thoroughfare.
"So far as you are aware, Mr. Case, did Mr. Langmore have any

personal enemies?"
"I never heard of any."
"He was rich?"
"Yes."
"What was his business?"
"He was a dealer in patents and a promoter. Some thought he was
rather eccentric, but I never found him so. He used to have an office
here in New York but gave that up a year ago."
"Well, what is your idea of this crime?"
"I haven't any. But I know Margaret Langmore is not guilty."
"Evidently if they suspect her they have concluded that Mrs. Langmore
was killed first."
"That is their idea, but it looks to me as if both were killed at about the
same time, although I know that couldn't very well be."
"No, not if one was upstairs and the other down. Do you think it
possible that one killed the other and then committed suicide?"
At this Raymond Case started back.
"I had not thought of that!" he cried. "If it is true then that clears
Margaret." Evidently he was thinking only of the girl he
loved--everything else concerning the mystery was of secondary
consideration.
"Such a thing is possible, although not probable, unless the two had a
bitter quarrel between themselves. Every crime must have a motive.
People do not commit murder unless there is a reason for it or unless
they are insane. Motives may be divided into three classes--jealousy,
revenge, or gain. In this instance I think we can throw out jealousy--"

"Mrs. Langmore was jealous of Margaret."
"And wasn't the young lady jealous of her stepmother in a way?"
"But she is not guilty--I'll stake my life on her innocence."
"Then let us come down to revenge or gain. You say nothing was stolen.
Was there a safe in the house?"
"Yes, and it is closed, and will remain so until the experts open it."
"Nobody knew the combination but Mr. Langmore?"
"That's it. Margaret did know, but her stepmother had her father change
the combination and keep it to himself."
"Had he much money in the house?"
"I think not. Margaret says her father was in the habit of depositing
cash in the bank as soon as he received it."
"What sort of promoting did he do?"
"He organized companies to manufacture his patents. He also
speculated in real estate and in mortgages. He owned two buildings in
this city and several in the country."
"Who are the other members of the family?"
"Margaret's married sister, Mrs. Andrew Wetherby, of Sanhope, and
Mrs. Langmore's two sons, Tom and Dick Ostrello."
"Where are these people located?"
"Mrs. Wetherby is traveling with her husband in South America. The
Ostrello brothers are commercial travelers and somewhere on the road."
"Then the Ostrellos are not rich?"

"No, they are poor, and Mrs. Ostrello was poor, too, before she married
Mr. Langmore."
There was another pause.
"Can you tell me anything else?" asked Adam Adams.
"Nothing of much importance. It's a deep mystery, isn't it?"
"Yes, it's very simplicity makes it deep." The detective drew a long
breath. "I was thinking of taking a vacation. My doctor says I need it."
"Oh!" There was a world of disappointment in the word. "Don't say that!
You must take hold of this. I planned it all out as I came to town. I
know you can clear Margaret if you will only try. Think of her
position--the disgrace--my position-- Oh, you can't refuse me, Mr.
Adams!" The young man came closer and caught the detective by the
shoulder. "If it's money, set your price."
"If I take hold, I'll charge you only what is fair, Mr. Case. But I never
take a case, unless--"
"Any request you have to make is already granted."
"Unless I can first interview the person who stands accused of the
crime."
"You can see Miss Langmore at any time. I told her that I was coming
to town to interview you, and that I would bring you back with me, if
you would come. I told her what a wonderful man you were and what
you had done for others. I think it cheered her a little, although she was
terribly cast