The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1895-07-25
CHATTER Y.

CHAPTER V.
MAURICE LECLERC.
There was q knock at the hall door as
Miss Rodney, having made the state
ment that she was not the only person
who was aware of the money being i'm
the house, flung herself into chair aud
again burst into passionate fit Of weep
ing.
Excuse me, miss" said the consta-
BILE 81 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 tupic. 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 was no servant in the
house, had decided to make himself use
full as well 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 well known to Constable
Metcalf-but the fourth man, for whom
the hall door had just been opened, was
stranger TO the constable, though he
fancied he had memory of his face
Tho first impression was that this was u
gentleman from Scotland Yard, but n
swift glance at his carriage and bearing.
as he passed into the hall, convinced
Metcalf 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 burly man of
about feet 1C inches in height His
manner was husque and hectoring, his
voice a deep, rasping bass. Every hand
that did not WELD policeman's 4 staff
was against him. 1t is most likely he
would have felt kindly disposed toward
one who welded the magical wand Of
the musical conductor, and probably he
would have gazed ut marshal in full
! fig with n bonignant eye. But "the
force its honor and glory, its unlim-
tied power, its dignity, its infallihility
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 on in the
/ great round chin. But when Constable
Young slowly lifted his helmet or when
/ you encountered him bareheaded you
/ were at once startled by his head The
shape of his head was that Of an invert-
cd 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 kindly dispo-
sition-that it would DC great relief To
! Constable Young if his flesh would
"thaw and resolve itself into a dew.
Tho newcomer glanced scornfully at
his challenger.
Il wish to see Miss Rodney" he
said.
Constable Metcalf stopped forward,
Would you kindly walk this way
with me. sirg" stepping toward the
door cf the room which lay behind tho
front parlOr-a room used chiefly as q
dining room. "Our inspector is taking
his time Of it, addressing himself tc
| Young
MAY be sure he has good reasons foi
being slow" said Young Seems
rather awkward TO have these gentlemen
standing about, pointing TO Steinwortl
and Vickcry.
"Nery sorry, but we can't help that
just now. Our inspector won't be long
I'm sure, and he'll settle everything
Now, sir" 10 the stranger. will you
follovmey'
The two men walked into the dining
room.
"You wish TO SEQ Miss Rodney. You
name, sir, please. suppose you hear6
what happened here this morning?'
"Yes; heard that Mrs Dayon wa
found dead in her bed, and alroad,
there Is "a rumor a5road that there ha
been foul play
Reports viii travel, sir You die
not give your name!"
Maurice Leclerc. F"
"Ah, / thought / remembered you
Dr. Leclorc, Of course. You used 10 b
with DR. Perciyal-pardon my famil
iarity ="
"This is awfull exclaimed DIR. Ia
clerc, tearing of his glove and appar
entity forgetting the existence Of the 20
lice constable "It viii drive Ethe
crazy. Where is Miss Rodney" h
asked, III a quieter tone, glancipg a
the policeman. lis she in tho house
and can see her? / suppose you are Il
charge heref"
A lot Of questions 10 answer all a
once.
! Eyes, sir; she is in the house. bu
she is greatly upset To tell you the can
did truth l did not think it would b
fair On her TO let strangers intrude but
Of course it is different with you, sir.