Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1902-05-22

By Fred M. d0hhe AHn0

care all capable of an explanation
| which we shall arrive at with pa
tience."
Can we arrive at the number over
the door with patience?"
Exactly what was coming to.
| noticed an old pair of steps in the back
sitting room. Would you mind placing
them against the fanlight for me?"
David complied readily enough. He
was growing credulous and interested
in spite of himself. At Bells instigation
he placed the steps before the fanlight
and mounted them. Over his head
were the figures 21S in elongated shape
and formed in White porcelain.
"Now. them" Bell said slowly. "Take
this pocketknife, apply the blade to the
right-hand lower half of the bottom Of
the figure s-to half the small o. in
fact-and shall be extremely surprised
if the quarter section doesn't come
away from the glass of the fanlight,
leaving the rest of the figure intact.
Very gently, please. 1 want to con-
! vince you that the piece comes away
| because it is broken. and not because
| the pressure has cracked it. Now,
| then"
| The point of the knife was hardly I'M
| der the edge Of the porcelain before the
| segment of the lower circle dropped into
| Steers hand. He could feel the edges
| OF the cement sticking to his fingers.
| AS yet the full force of the discovery
| was not apparent to him.
go out into the road and look at the
| fanlight." Bell directed.
! David complied eagerly. A sharp
| cry of surprise escaped him as he
| looked up. The change was apparent.
Instead of the figures 21S he could read
| now the change to 219-a family in
| different 9, but one that would have
passed muster without criticism by
| ninety-nine people out of a hundred.
With a strong light behind the figures
the clumsy 9 would never have been
noticed at all. The very simplicity and
| righteousness of the scheme was it's
| safeguard.
II should like to have the address of
the man who thought that out" David
said dryly.
Yes, I fancy that you are dealing
with quite clever people," Bell replied.
And now have shown you how utter
ly YOU have been deceived over the
number we will go little further. For
the present, the way in which the fur
niture trick was worked must remain
mystery. But there has been furni-
ture here, or this room and the hall
would not have been so carefully swept
| and garnished whilst the rest of the
house remains in so dirty a condition.
If my eyes don't deceive me, I can see
two fresh nails driven into the arch
way leading to the back hall. On those
| 1r rtos, tod
you from seeing more than was neces-
sary. Are you still incredulous as to
the house where you had your remark
able adventure?"
II confess that my faith has been Sc
riously shaken David admitted. but
about the furniture? And about my
telephone call from Mr.. Gates town
house? And about my adventure TAX
ing place in the very next house to the
one taken by him at Brighton? And
about Miss Gates agitation when she
learnt my identity? Do you call them
condolences"
'No, 1 don't" Bell said promptly.
They are merely evidences Of clever
folks taking advantage of an excellent
strategic position. said just now that
it was an important point that Mr..
Gates had merely taken the next door
furnished. But we shall come to that
side Of the theory in due course. Have
you any other objections to urge?"
zone more, and have finished for
the present. When I came here the
other night-provided, of course, that
I did come here-immediately upon my
entering the dining room the place was
brilliantly illuminated. Now, directly
| %la III 1l1
>tric current would be cut off at the
meter. So far as I can judge, some
two or three units must have been con-
not be many less than ten lights burn
ing for an hour. Now, those units
must show on the meter. Can you read
an electric meter?"
"My dear fellow, there is nothing
easier"
"Then let us go down into the base
pretty sure to be a card on the meter
made up to the day awhen the last ten
ant went out. See, the supply is cut
off now"
AS Steel spoke he snapped down the
hall switch and no result came. Down
in the basement by the area door stood
the meter. Both switches were turned
off, but on Bell pressing them down
Steel was enabled to light the passage.
There's the card" Bell exclaimed.
Made up to 25th June, 1885, since when
the house has been void. Just "a minute
whilst I read the meter. Yes. that's
right. According to this card in your
hand, provided that the light has not
been used since the index was taken
should read at 1921. What do you make
Of the card?"
''1532," David cried. (Which means
eleven units since the meter was last
taken. Or, if you like to put it from
your own point of view, eleven units
used the night that I came here. You
are quite right, Bell. You have practi-
cally convinced me that have been in
side the real 219 for the first time to-
day. And yet the more one probes the
mystery the more astounding does it
become. What do you propose
to do next?"
"Find out the name of the last ten
ant or owner" Bell suggested. Discov-