Los Angeles herald., 1907-01-27

tf3Sa$Y officer to say something. As there was
somewhat long pause the inspector
took up the parable for himself.
"In a great many cases that come under our
hands, so many give chance he said. 1--WE
allow something for luck. More than once ia
looking up one business I have come across
burning clue of another"
"What is the meaning of all this philosophy,
Mr.. Field?" Bennington asked.
''Well think it is pretty obvious if Won care
to see it. We are engaged, just for the present.,
! in looking for private hanson, painted black
in which is seated lame gentleman. The rest
of our investigation does not matter Just now.
because we have beyond doubt actually traced
the parties who conveyed the body of Sir Charles
from the hotel. When the lame gentleman is
spoken of you say something about No 100 Aud.
lev Place. 1t is quite obvious that you know
something of the man. or at any rate you think
YOU do May l point out that it is your duty
to help if you cam
Bennington looked uncomfortable. As matter
of fact he had made up his mind to say nothing
as to Audley Place.
"There are several Audley Places in the Direc-
tory," Field went 81 am sure you would not
put us to the trouble of looking them all up, SIR
Tell me all you know Anything that you NAV
saw will be treated as CONFIDENTIAL
'I quite your reasoning" Bennington re-
piled. Let tell you that I should have said
nothing--for the present, at any rate-had | not
betrayed myself. Look here, Field, might lust
as we'll inform you that treading on very
delicate ground here AS soon as I begin to speak
Sir Charles's daughter comes into the business -
"You mean Miss Darryll-Mrs Richford, |
should say. How, Colonel?"
because ] am quite sure that she knows some.
thing of the matter. In the first place Won must
understand that the marriage was the reverss
of love match Sir Charles's affairs were in
anything but a prosperous condition at the time
of his death"
"In the fact he was the point of being AZ
rested in connection with certain company"
Field said coolly. 81 got that information from
the city police. 1t was mere piece of gossip
but ] did not identity it as in any way connected
with the subsequent tragedy"
"Well, should not be surprised to hear that
| il had an important bearing on the mystery. AS
far as I could judge after the wedding there was
quarrel between Mr. and Mrs. Richford--"
"Ah" Field exclaimed His face was shrewd
and eager. Can you tell me what about?"
Indeed, cannot 7 cannot even guess. But
can't see what that has to do with it."
Cant you indeed, sr?" Field asked drylv
Mrs, Richford shall tell me herself, presently
But We are getting nearer to the lame gentle
man in Audley Place"
| ooh, yes we are. Let us admit that quarrel
am certain of II because yesterday Mr. Rich
| ford had ordered luncheon at the same table a.
myself. He ordered a steak and potatoes When
| it came he asked the waiter who had been nut,
ting salt ON his plate, Sure enough there was
salt on the plate and in the shape of bullet
Directly Richford saw that his whole aspect
changed He was like one beside himself with
terror. He did not know that l was watching
him, he knew nothing beyond the horror of the
moment"
"You mean that shaped salt had some hidden
meaning, sir?" Field asked.
"l am certain of IT, Now don't run your head
up against the idea that you are on the track Of
some political society, or that anarchism has
ANYTHING to do with H. II so happens that 1
have seen that salt sign before in India under
strange circumstances that we need not go into
at the present moment
TO Be CONTINUED NEXT SUNDAY