“Yes, there is,” retorted Coroner Penfield. “The dose in this instance was administered in a cordial which in itself contains the same bitter flavor—cherry brandy.”
CHAPTER V
THE “ACE”
MARIAN VAN NESS detached herself from the stream of people moving slowly up Seventeenth Street and raced to the opposite curb, only arriving in time, however, to see the Mt. Pleasant car sail serenely by. A second, third, and fourth car, their passengers clinging like ants to steps and even fenders, rounded the curve without stopping and continued up Connecticut Avenue. In despair Marian turned about and tucking the papers she carried more securely under her arm, set out for the Burnham house. She had walked but a third of the way when a man fell into step with her and looking around she found René La Montagne by her side.
“Ah! Captain, good afternoon,” she exclaimed. “Did you receive my telephone message?”
“But yes, madame, and I hurried most quickly to the State Department only to find you gone.” The French officer reached over and took her small bundle of papers. “Permit that I carry them,” he said with a quick courtly bow, and taking possession of the papers he slipped them inside the pocket of his blue tunic. “Tell me, madame, you have seen Evelyn,” and Marian read in his eyes the passion even Evelyn’s name kindled in the gallant officer and her heart throbbed with the quick and ready sympathy every woman feels for true romance.
“Yes. I am on my way to join Evelyn now,” she answered. “Frankly, Captain, what has estranged you two?”
La Montagne’s expression grew troubled. “It is not of my making,” he protested. “My letters remain unanswered——”
“Are you quite certain, Captain, that Evelyn received your letters?”
“But yes,” and as she would have spoken he added rapidly: “When I cabled that I would arrive shortly in this country, having been detailed here to instruct in the aviation, and received no reply I questioned in my mind if Evelyn had received it. Getting leave, I went to Chelsea and called upon Mr. and Mrs. Burnham——”
“You did!”