The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1895-10-11
CHAPTER V.

ment that she was not the only person
who was aware Of the money being in
the house, flung herself into II chair and
again burst into a passionate tit Of weep
ing.
Excuse me, miss said the cOnsta-
BILE. Il must leave you for the present
to yourself. No doubt this is my inspect
or
He folded his notebook and put it
into the breast of his tunic. Then he
left the room, closing the door quietly
after him.
In the hall he saw four men-Consta-
BILE Young, who, hearing the knock and
learning there wa no servant in the
house, had decided to make himself use
full as we'll as ornamental. Albert Stein
worth and Bernard Vickery, who did
not like his fellow lodger and preferred
not to be left alone with him ON the
landing, were we'll known to Constable
Metcalf-but the fourth man, for whom
the hall door had just been opened, was
a stranger to the constable, though he
fancied he had a memory of his face.
The first impression was that this was a
gentleman from Scotland Yard, but a
swift glance at his carriage and bearing,
as he passed into the hall, convinced
Metcaf that he was not a man who had
passed through the force.
Your business, sir?" demanded
Young as the newcomer stood in the
hall
Constable Young was a burly man of
about 8 feet 10 inches in height. His
name was brusque and h~ectoring, his
voice a deep, rasping bass. Every hand
that did not WELD a policeman's staff
was against him. 1t is most likely he
would have felt kindly disposed toward
n who welded the magical wand of
the musical conductor, and probably he
would lave gaZed at a marshal in full
fig with a benignant eye. But 'the
force'-its honor and glory, its unlim-
tied power, its dignity, its infallibility
was all in all to Constable Young.
When he wore his helmet or other head
gear, there was nothing very remarkable
in the SNUG, shaven, fat face or in the
great round chin. But when Constable
Young slowly lifted his helmet or when
you encountered him bareheaded you
were at nee startled by his head. The
shape of his head was that of an invert-
ed fir cone, the bald top Of the skull
making the apex of the cone more star
Ting than if it were clothed with hair.
The base Of the cone-that is to say, his
chin and the lower portions of his skull
was pulled out with fat and seemed
as if it might at any moment melt and
run. down his enormous chest. Indeed,
you felt-if you were Of q kindly dispo-
sition-that it would be agreat relief to
Constable Young if his flesh would
''thaw and resolve itself into a dew"
The newcomer glanced sco~rnfully at
his challenger.
II wish to see Miss Rodney" he
said.
Constable Metcalf stepped forward.
Would you kindly walk this way
with me, SIR stepping toward the
door of the room which lay behind the
front parlOr-a room used chiefly as a
dining room. "Our inspector is taking
his time Of it, addressing himself to
Young.
May be sure he has good reasons for
being Slow said Young. Seems
rather awkward to have these gentlemen
standing about, pointing to Stenworth
and Vickery.
Very sorry, but we can't help that
Just o Our inspector won't be long,
I'm sure, and he'll settle everything.
Now, sir to the stranger, will you
follow me-
The two men walked into the dining
room.
"You wish to see Miss Rodney. Your
name, sir, please. suppose you heard
what happened here this morning.
"Yes; l heard that Mrs. D&vOrn was
found dead in her bed, and already
there is a rumor abroad that there has
been foul play \
Reports will travel, sir. You did
not give your name!'
Maurice Leclerc."
"Ah, l thought I remembered You.
DR.. Leclerc, Of course. You used to be
with DR.. Percival-pardon my famil-
iarity."
This is awful exclaimed DR.. Lee
clerc, tearing off his glove and appar-
emily forgetting the existence of the po-
lice constable. 1T will drive Ethel
crazy. Where is Miss Rodney" he
asked, in a q~uieter tone, CHANGING at
the policeman. lis she in the house.
and can l see her: 1 suppose you are i'll
charge here's
A lot Of questions to answer all a,
once.
eyes, sir; she is in the house, but
she is greatly upset. To tell you the can
did truth l did not think it would bt
fair on her to let strangers intrude but
Of course, it is different with you, sir. ;
"What do you mean:' inquired LIE
clerc angrily. He knew the constabl,
was abiding to the relations that ex
listed between Ethel and himself-a lib
erty he could not tolerate in this med
dlesome policeman. Where Is Mis-
Rodney" he inquired again abruptly
II must see her at once"
"She is in the next room-the iron
room"
ssru..x I'LL Jo\ uuho-1-.- D~-I.-