“There—that’s him,” he exclaimed; Latimer’s excitement, though subdued, had communicated itself to him and his grammar went astray. “There, he’s going out of the front door.”
And Latimer, looking eagerly across the office, was just in time to recognize the clear-cut features and the straight soldierly figure. Joseph Richards had disposed of the ten bonds owned by his wife—which Judith desired to sell—to cover his margins in stock speculations.
Latimer sat down in the nearest chair conscious of a feeling of faintness for the first time in his life.
CHAPTER VII
THE KNAVE OF HEARTS
The death of Austin Hale under mysterious circumstances had created a veritable sensation in Washington, and the residents of the National Capital read with avidity every newspaper account. To the indignation of the city editors and the staffs of newspaper men few details were forthcoming from either Police Headquarters or the Hale residence. Thus thrown upon their own resources, imagination played a large part in their “write-ups” of the tragedy which, headed by display type of the most sensational character, had but served to whet the appetite of the reading public.
Robert Hale and his family occupied a prominent position, both in the scientific world and in society, and young Austin Hale, who had been petted and indulged by his hosts of friends, was genuinely mourned, and Anna, the waitress, detailed Maud, the parlor maid, to remain at the front door and receive the visiting cards bearing the message, “With sincere sympathy,” or perfumed notes of condolence addressed to Mrs. Hale, Judith, and John Hale.
Mrs. Hale looked with dismay at the formidable pile of notes which Maud had handed to her with a flourish at the close of dinner.
“I shall have to borrow Polly Davis to acknowledge these messages of sympathy for me, Robert,” she remarked, laying aside her lorgnette and addressing her husband who, occupied with a game of solitaire, sat at a near-by table in the library.
Robert Hale considered the Knave of Hearts before discarding it.
“Very well, if you need Polly’s services you can have her,” he said, drawing another card from the pack. “But it is for a limited time only, recollect Polly is behind in my work.”