Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-02

u
FER remember hearin' the lock snan
after tn girl went In. Somebody must a
throwed II back ag'in. Mebbe tn girl did
sTsn =, 81, out am an. IT. S, g.
Godfrey nodded. with an appreciation
seemingly very deep.
That's 1t. no doubt" he said II see
you're a close reasoner. Mr.. Higgins"
why said Higgins. with a smile OF
self-satisfactiou. II alters have been able
Z put two an two t'ge,her. They's one
thing. though. l can't explain. As I was
rushin' up tn steps I heard tn openin' an
shuttin of door"
All" said Godfrey thoughtfuly. And
there was no one In the hall?"
Not soul: not soul in sight"
Are you sure OF that?'
Sure o. course am. There's a light In
TN hall--an: anyway. they Amt no place
anybody could hide
He might have gone into one of tho
other rooms. mightn't her
They was all locked-Tm certain o.
that"
Godfrey took a thoughtful pun or two.
II was tn girl shot him-y kin bank on
that, added Higgins, with emphasis
But. them objected Godfrey. you said
the report you heard couldn't have come
from her pistol =
Higgins gasped and choked, staring wide
eyed ~
why, that's sor' he cried. That's SO,
never thought o. that! Mebbe there Is n
d-n scoundrel hidin' 'roun here some.rs.,
and he glanced exci,cd.y up and down the
hall.
The police will find him II there is." said
Godfrey. reassuringly. What happened
after you reached the room?'
WELL" continued Higgins auieting down
little. but still keeping one eye over his
shoulder. AS ! was sayin', throwed open
IN door, an there was tn girl leanln' ag'in
tn wall an Thompson on tn floor with n
big blood-spot on his shirt front | Jest
give one look at 'em an then l went down
tn steps three at time an over L tn
station. l tell you, II purity nigh done me
up"
He was Interrupted by a tramp OF feet
that came down the stairs. 1t was Sim
monds and the coroner. closely attended by
the crowd of reporters, who Immediately
surrounded Godfrey, in threatening admiral
ton.
How did you happen to be here?' de-
manded Rankin of the Planet.
Just luck" explained Godfrey looking
around the group with pleasant smile.
Does Ii mean another SCOOP .,
'Oh. no; not at all! dare say you fell
lows know more about Il now than l do"
"Oh. of course we dor assented Rankin
dryiy, amid derisive laughter
AT least" Godfrey added. Mr.. Goldberg
has all the facts and is probably willing TO
help you out"
ting late, and I'm in a hurry-Fll give you
ten minutes at my Office and he started
toward the door, t.-
''All right" said Rankin Come on.
boys" And they trooped out OF the build
ing together
simmonds waited until the last of them
had disappeared.
well, we searched the house" he began
Nobody there?" asked Godfrey.
Not living SOUL L didn't really expect
to find anybody; but we went through every
room-even to the suites which are occu-
pied
Higgins opened his mouth suddenly; then
as suddenly closed 1t.
Did you find the doors all lockedg'
'Every one; the hall windows bottled on
the inside and the trap in the roof hooked
in place There's only one way our man
could get out-that was by the front door
yonder.'' and Simmonds looked sharply ut
the janitor.
Higgins grew red in the face
Il amt got nothin' more t say he burst
out explosively. you'll be sayin' did 1t.
next!'
'.Oh. no." retorted Simmcnds coclly. you
didn't do it. But I'm not quite sure you've
told us all you know"
Higgins sprang from his chair. fairly
foaming at the mouth with rage, but Sim
monds calmly disregarded him. fls
i've left a man on guard in fourteen" he
said. Goldberg wants to bring his jury
around in the morning to look at things.
Here's your keys" and lie handed the jing-
ling ring back to the janitor.
There's man coming up from the office
to take fiashlight OF It," said Godfrey.
mo objection to that. / guess?" I-e.
mo; that's all right. Come around In
the morning to talk it over l think III
have some news for YOU" and he went on
out into the street
Higgins sat down again. still nursing his
wrath.
Did v hear him." he demanded. why.
he as good as called me liar"
''Oh you mustn't mind him." said God
frey soothingly. ITS his business to be
suspicious. He doesn't really suspect you."
well. they ain't no cause t suspect me
I amt done nothn'," returned the Janitor.
Then he looked meditatlvely at his keys.
which he still held in his hand Funny"
he murmured; funny. l don't know when
they went out.
Godfrey said nothing but contemplated
him through half-closed eyes.
At that instant the street door opened and
z man and woman entered.
There they come now" cried Higgins
springihg to his feet. Good evenin. MI
Tremaine.
Good evening" returned the stranger In
voice singularly rich and pleasant
II was just a-sayin [ my friend here,
added the jan!tor. that l hadn't seen y
go out
Godfrey for an instant. found himself
gazing into a pair OF the keene3t eyes ne
had ever encountered.
You wished to see me?" asked Tremaine
"Oh. no, no." interrupted Higgins. but
tn p'lice was goin' through tn buiidin-
THE police?
..Oh. fergot-you don't know-that man
Thompson's been murdered-he had tn SCOT
right acrost tn hall from you"
"Murdered!' echoed Tremaine. Muruereu.
Why. that's terrible. Who did it? How
did it happen
Higgins retold the story with some unc-
ton, evidently enjoying his listeners hor-
ror But Godfrey did not even glance at
him. He was gazing-perhaps shade too
intently for politeness-at Mrs. Tremaine.
And indeed, she was q woman to hold any
mans eyes
Tremaine drew a deep breath wien the
story was finished
..,rhe house has been searcbed?" he asked.
1.-The scoundrel couldn't be hidden
.Oh, no." Higgins assured him; 9TH p'lce
went all through it-even through your
rooms" a,
.I'm glad of that-then we can sleep In
peace"
Godfrey rather wondered that Mrs. Ire
maine took no part in the discussion. she
stood listening alphabetically, not even nouc-
ing his stare
when they told me they'd gone through
your rooms" added Higgins Il was kind "
surprised. 1 thought you was at home Z
night" -.
'And that we stayed in our rooms during
all that row. queried Tremaine, smiling.
II suppose there was row.?
His eyes sought Godfrey's again; then he
disiflIFDeQ.