Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-07-01

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 cd old dnttques?" .s with the others. The unscrewed lock of the door of the top back room re- Quired little examination. In the room below the trapdoor was dusty table on which stood chair, and at the other side of the table sat Detective Inspector Hummer, whom Hewitt knew very we'll and who bade him good day" and then went on with his docket.
 This chair and table were found as they are now, I take it?" Hewitt asked.
 "Yes,' said Mir Claridge; "the thieves, I should think. dropped in through the trapdoor, after breaking 1t open, and had to place this chair where 1t is to be able to climb back"
 Hewitt scrambled up through the trapway and examined it from the top The door>,was hung on long external barn door hinges and had been forced open in a similar manner to that prac- ticed on the desk. A jimmy had been pushed between the frame and the door near the bolt, and the door had been pried open, the bolt being torn away from the screws in the operation.
 Presently Inspector Hummer, having finished his docket, climbed up to the roof after Hewitt, aSd the two to- gether went to the spot, close under ct hn h,,k one, where the case had been found. Hummer produced the case, which he had in his coattail pocket.
 T don't see anything particular about 1t, do you:' he said. Tt shows us the way they went, though, being found just here"
 Well, yes" Hewitt said; If we kept on in this direction we should be going toward Mir. Woolletts house and his trapdoor, shouldn't wei"
 The inspector pursed his lips, smiled and shrugged his shoulders. "of course we haven't waited till now to find that out" he said.
 No. of course. And, as you say, I don't think there is much to be learned from this leather case. It is almost new, and there isn't a mark on 1t"
 Well" said Hummer as he return ed the case to his pocket, whats your opinion"
 Its rather an awkward case"
 "Yes, it is. Between ourselves-I don't mind telling you-rm having sharp lookout kept over there"-Plum- mer jerked his head In the direction of Mir. Woollett's chambers. "Of course some of the work, taking off the lock and so on, looks rather like a regular burglar, but its just possible that any one badly wanting the cameo would hire a man who was up to the work"
 Yes. it's possible"
 Do you know anything of Hahn, the agent" Plummer asked a moment later.
 No. don't Have you found him yet?"
 T haven't yet, but I'm after him. I've found he was at CharinR Cross n day or two ago booking a ticket for the continent. That and his failing to turn mp today seem to make it worth while not to miss him if we can help 1t. He isn't the sort of man tha. lets a chance of drawing c bit of money go for nothing"
 They returned to the room. On the wall just beneath the trapdoor a very dusty old tall hat hung on a peg. This Hewitt took down and examined very closely. smearing his fingers with the dust from the inside lining. "1s this one of your valuable and crusted old antiques?- he asked, with a smile. of Mr. Clarfdge.
 That's only an old hat that I used to keep here for use in bad weather" Nr. Claridge said. with some surprise at the question T haven't touched it for a year or more"
 ~Oh. then it couldn't have been left here by your last nights visitor" Hev- lit replied, careIessly replacing it on the hook You left here at 8 last night. I think"
 Eight exactly or within a minute or two
 "Just s9. I think I'll look at the room on tic opposite side of the land ing if yOsT sef r.e.-
 Certainty If y1aId Ike to- Claridge replsed- but thcy haven't been there It,i only a lumber room-"
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