Rocky Ford enterprise., 1908-07-31


from gross stupidity to imbecile In.
dignation. The only testimony that
had the slightest value was given by
a pert maid who said John Martin had
been seen In the corridor leading to
Lady Hart's room about the time Of
the robbery.
"Who is John Martini" quickly
queried the detective.
He is the valet and attendant of
Sir Archibald Hunter" replied the
host.
He must be the mani"
Sir William smiled sarcastically.
There's only one flaw in that
theory"
What Is it,"
"Sir Archibald and his attendant
LETT yesterday. I forgot to mention
that when we were going over the
list of the guests"
How can we prove that?"
1T don't have to be proven. It's
4 fact. accompanied Sir Archibald
to his carriage and saw him drive of,
and his man was with him"
That's too bad
The host smiled
Il think it's good-for Sir Archi-
bald's man"
After some further talk Sir VIII
liam and the detective took walk
about the premises and made an ex-
animation OF locks and bolts. They
strolled into the grounds and inter
viewed the two gate-keepers. The
gate-keeper Mt the south entrance
said one OF the servants had brought
him a message that no one was to be
permitted to leave the house that
night. The servant. whom he did not
recognize. then volunteered to stay on
guard until he-the south gate-keep-
er-should go and give similar in
structions to the gatekeeper at the
north entrance. He was gone but a
few minutes, but on his return the
servant was nowhere to be seen.
Detective Sweeney let out an ex.
clamation Of impatience.
What's the matter?" asked the
host.
This man had no right to leave his
post. Don't you see that a regiment
of thieves could escape while he was
away"
But my dear SIR" replied Sir VII.
liam. don't you understand that the
servant remained here while the man
went to warn the other gate-keeper?"
And was gone when he returned"
oh" said the baronet, easily. Il
don't attach any Significance to that
Simply the dereliction OF a careless
servant. doubt whether anyone has
left the premises tonight"
Then one of your guests must be
guilty" retorted the detective quickly.
"Stop-stop at that" was the angry
retort: IF you find it necessary to sus-
pect my guests your work shall stop
at once"
81 propose that the credentials of
every one OF your servants be care
fully investigated-and that the ante
cedents OF every servant belonging to
your guests be probed."
The suggestion met with so much
opposition that It was abandoned. The
detective remained in the library until
nearly midnight. He seemed to have
run up against a dead wall. But he
had been doing a lot of thinking. As he
started to leave one of the servants
tapped on the door.
What is it?"cried Sir William i'm
patiently.
"A telegram for Lord Mortimer V
was the response.
Lord Mortimer was the impecunious
earl. The host was instantly all at
tcntion. He took the telegram and
excused himself to the detective.
Pardon me n moment until | give
this to Mortimer"
He left the room and was gone 10
or 10 minutes. He returned with a
perplexed look.
What is itS' asked the detective
"Mortimer's not in his room. and !
can't locate him anywhere.
"Of course" he said almost rudely.
there's no Significance In his alb
sence from his room. He's about
somewhere"
"Of course" assented Sweeney,
tactfully.
The detective remained at the house
all night. When he departed for Scot
land Yard in the morning he carried