Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-03-15

Brett produced the money and led
the gaping waiter out Of the room,
promptly shutting the door ON him.
Hes a rum gentleman that" said
the waiter to the girl.
He must he, to make YOU hurry
In such fashion. Why, you wouldn't
have gone faster for a free pint"
Il consider that an impairment
observation. With tilted nose the
man turned and cannoned against
Hume.
Here" cried the latter, run to
the stables and get me a horse and
trap. II they are ready in two min
utes I'll give you two shiliings."
Talk about making money"
gasped the walter, as he few down
stairs. this is coinin'. But, BY gum,
they are In a hurry"
Brett unlocked his bag and took
from it the book OF newspaper cut
tiugs.
"AhH he said, after a rapid glance
at his concluding notes. II thought
so. Here Is what I wrote when the
affair was fresh in my mind
Why were no inquiries made at
Stowmsrket to learn what, IL any,
Strangers were In the town on New
Years Eve!
Most minute investigations
should be pursued with reference 10
Margaret Hume Frazer's friends and
associates
HAS Ferguson ever been asked II
HIS master received any visitors on
the day Of the murder or during the
preceding week? If 70, who were
they?
What is the precise purpose Of
the knife attached to the Japanese
sword? It appears to be too small
to be used as dagger, In any case,
the sword scabbard would be an I'M
suitable place to carry an auxiliary
weapon, 10 European IDEAS
Now. I wonder II Ferguson Is
still at the Hall? The other matters
must wait"
Winter returned about the Same
time IS Hume Brett and the latter
dressed for dinner. and the adroit
detective, not to be beaten, borrowed
dress suit from the landlord after
te'egraphing to London for his own
clothes
During the progress Of the meal
tho little party scrupnlous,y re-
Trained from discussing business, an
excellent habit always insisted ON by
Brett
They had reached the stage Of
coffee and cigars when a waiter en-
tered and whispered something to
the police of1icer.
Rabbit Jack is here" exclaimed
Winter.
Capital, Tell him TO wait"
When the servant had LETT, Brett
detailed his proposed test. He and
Hume would 20 into the hotel gar
den. after donning overcoats and
deerstalker hats, for Hume told him
that both his cousin and he himself
had worn that style Of headgear.
They would stand, with their faces
hidden. beneath the trees. and Win
ter WEI 10 bring the poacher to-
wards them. after asking him to pick
out the mau who most resembied the
person he had seen standing In the
avenue at Beechcroft.
The test was most successful.
Rabbit Jack" instantly selected
Hume.
ITS the chap hisself or his dead
spit was the poacher's dictum
Then he was cautioned to keep his
own counsel as TO the Incident, and
he went away to get gloriously
drunk on half a sovereign.
In the ssclnsion of a sitting room,
Winter related the outcome of his
Inquiries. They were negative.
Landlords and barmaids remem-
bered few commercial travellers by
referring to old dodgers. but they one
and all united in the opinion that
New Years Eve was a most unlikely
time for the hotels to contain casual
visitors
Il was afraid 1t would be a wild
goose chase from the start" opined
Winter.
Obviously" replied Brett: yet
ten minutes ago you produced a man
who actually watched the murderer
for a considerable time that night"
Whilst Winter was searching his
wits for a suitable argument, the
barrister continued.
Whore Is Ferguson now"
81 can answer that" exclaimed
Hume. "He is my fathers butler.
When Capelia came to Beechcroft,
the old man wrote and said he could
not take orders from an Italian. II
was like receiving instructions from a
French cook. So my father brought
him to Glen Tochan"
Then your father must send him
to London. He may be very useful.
I understand he was very many years
at Beechcroft?"
"Forty-six. man and boy. as he
puts It,"
Write tomorrow and bring him
to town, He can stay at your hotel.
Will not keep him long; Just one
more. Dan you or
your father tell me anything else
about that sword"
II fear not. Admiral Cunning
ham"
Il guess I'm the authority there"
broke in Winter. II got to know all
about 1t from Mr.. Okasaki."
And who. pray, is Mr. Okasaki?"
"A JaDaneSe gentleman who cana