him, a hand pressed against his arm, and he turned to face Marcia Wardrop. The girl had come from the living room.
She held her forefinger to her lips as Warren was about to speak. Then, in a quick whisper, she spoke. Her words seemed to be prompted by a strange intuition - a woman’s knowledge that something must be wrong.
“Be careful,” warned the girl. “You were here before when trouble occurred. When Winstead died - when Humphrey and Wellington were killed -“
Warren stared at the girl in real amazement. He had met Marcia the night that he had visited Winstead, but he had no idea that the girl knew of the visit on the night of double murder. Was this a trick to trap him? A look at Marcia’s face convinced him that it was not. The girl’s countenance was very pale and worried.
“Stay here,” she added. “Do not go up with Jasper. I am afraid - for you - because I believe in you -“
Marcia did not complete the sentence. She was watching the stairs as she spoke. Seeing Jasper turn to glance back, Marcia managed to smile as she spoke in a louder tone.
“I am certainly pleased to meet you,” said she. “You must come here often, Cousin Warren.”
Taking the cue, Warren responded in like tone. Jasper pounded down the stairs, grinning in pleased fashion as he witnessed the meeting.
“Our cousin,” he said to Warren. “Marcia Wardrop. I see that you have introduced yourselves. Marcia will be with us later, after Farman arrives. Let us go up to the study, Warren.”
“You will excuse me?” Warren asked Marcia.
The girl nodded; but in her eyes was a pleading look that urged Warren not to go with Jasper. The gaze turned to a positive warning as Warren gave a very slight negative shake of his head.
IN spite of Marcia’s plea, Warren was determined to go to the study. As he followed Jasper up the stairs, Warren shook off the first effects of Marcia’s warning. Somehow the girl had known that he had been here the second night; naturally, she was worried now.
But Warren could not help but wonder whether her concern was entirely for him. How could the girl know that he was innocent. Was it not logical for her to think that he might be the murderer; that he was stalking Jasper as new quarry?
These confusing thoughts made Warren weaken as he reached the landing. Although he was not superstitious, he felt a sense of awe as he neared the room where each of his visits had marked a prelude to sudden death.
The thought of Police Chief Gorson was the reassuring impression that made him continue on his way. He was going alone with a man whom he believed to be a murderer. But there were people in the house tonight - among them Newbury’s principal officer of the law. In addition, Warren was forewarned regarding Jasper Delthern; and he had heard Clark Brosset’s logical reasons why Jasper would attempt no crime tonight.
Warren’s qualms had vanished when Jasper closed and locked the door of the study. This room of death did not seem overly sinister tonight. Jasper, seating himself in the big chair behind the mammoth desk, looked entirely different from either of his elder brothers.
Warren Barringer took a chair and stared directly toward his cousin. He noticed a serious expression upon Jasper Delthern’s face. It was then that Warren sensed the importance of this conference.
The new proprietor of Delthern Manor had something startling to discuss. That was apparent from his first words; and as Warren Barringer listened, he began to realize that he should have heeded Marcia Wardrop’s warning.
CHAPTER XXI
A KILLER SPEAKS
“TONIGHT,” announced Jasper Delthern, “we are holding a meeting in the great reception hall. It will be the only conference before the final meeting at which the estate will be apportioned among the surviving heirs.”
He paused, placed his hands upon the edge of the desk, and glanced narrowly toward his cousin.
“Perhaps,” continued Jasper, “you have learned that there was some question regarding your claim upon the estate. That was due to your absence at the first meeting. You were sustained, by Farman and my brother Winstead.
“However, Warren, it will be essential for you to be at the final meeting if you wish to gain your share of our grandfather’s millions. Should you be unable to be present, you will not share - unless Marcia and I voluntarily waive our rights.”
“That’s clear enough,” returned Warren, as Jasper paused again. “I expect to be at the final meeting. We will all be there - all of us entitled to share in the estate.”
“My brother Winstead will not be there,” remarked Jasper sadly. “Nor will my brother Humphrey.”
Warren Barringer’s hands tightened upon the arms of the chair. He detected a ring of insincerity in Jasper Delthern’s sorrowful tone.
“They were murdered!” added Jasper suddenly. “Murdered - both of them!”
He looked squarely at Warren. Evidently, Jasper’s purpose was to test his cousin’s reaction. Remembering the need for discretion, Warren responded calmly.
“I understood,” he remarked, “that Winstead’s death was accidental.”
“It was not!” declared Jasper coldly. “The same person who stabbed Humphrey and shot Wellington flung Winstead from the head of the stairs. Have you any idea who that person was?”
Warren Barringer did not reply. He watched an evil, fiendish leer appear upon his cousin’s face.
“Can you name the murderer?” queried Jasper, in a persistent tone.
Warren could see no reason for refusing an answer now. He was completely baffled by Jasper’s attitude. The look on the fellow’s face was proof enough that he was gloating over memory of evil deeds.
“I can name the murderer!” retorted Warren, in a low, tense accusation. “I do not need to tell you his name, Jasper Delthern. You killed both your brothers and Wellington!”
“I did,” admitted Jasper coolly. “Nevertheless, there is no one living who will prove it. That includes you, Warren. On the contrary” - Jasper’s tone became thoughtful - “it would not be difficult to prove that Warren Barringer was the murderer!”
THE thrust was delivered with a villainous deliberation. Jasper’s cool admission of guilt had been astounding in itself; this nervy statement aroused Warren’s indignation.
“You can prove nothing!” he ejaculated. “You know well that I am innocent
-“
“Softly, softly,” interposed Jasper, with malicious calm. “Someone might be passing in the hallway; someone who would overhear you if you talk too loud.”
Warren settled back in his chair. Jasper grinned. The murderer was filled with confidence.
Warren began to realize his own difficult position. He remembered Clark Brosset’s admonition to give Jasper enough leeway to enmesh himself. Warren resolved to listen until Jasper had finished.
“The proofs are here,” remarked Jasper quietly. “Statements signed and sworn to by my brother Humphrey and his servant Wellington - statements that indicate you may have been concerned with Winstead’s death.
“There is proof also that you came here on the night that Humphrey and Wellington died. Your hat” - Jasper laughed - “remained in a downstairs closet. The police were negligent in their quiz that night. I rather fancy that if they questioned my cousin Marcia they could learn more concerning your movements on that evening.”
The warning!
It flashed back through Warren Barringer’s mind. Had Marcia Wardrop divined Jasper’s plan? Was she helpless also? Was this a hopeless trap?
Warren could rely only upon Clark Brosset. There was a friend who could help - yet well did Warren recall the need for caution that Brosset himself had expressed.
“You are thinking of my telephone call from the City Club?” questioned Jasper. “If so, let me inform you that I expected you to overhear it. I saw you approach the phone booths. I did not talk to Wellington that night. I faked the call to bring you here.
“Wellington dead was better than Wellington alive, after he had entered the room. In fact, he was a nuisance
