The Washington herald., 1908-03-10

road, drew across. and a few moments
later both levi and Statham appeared,
struggling with long. narrow black box.
which. with the claimants aid, was put
on top Of the vehicle. The box much re-
sembled a coffin. and seemed unusually
heavy.
SO hurried and excited were the men
that they took no notice OF the motor
car, and the cab next moment drove
away, the man no doubt having previ-
ouSly received his orders. The music had
ceased. and as soon as the cab had de-
parted the lights in the windows were ex-
tinguished, and the weird home remained
in darkness"
VERY curious. Looks about as though
there had been some foul play. doesn't
ftp Lyle suggested
That's what the chauffeur suspects
I've spoken with him myself, and he tells
me that the box was so like a coffin that
the whole incident held him fascinated"
Adams said And. OF course, this story
getting about has set other people on
the watch Indeed only last night Il very
curious affair occurred II was witnessed
by man who earns his living washing
carriages in the news close by and who
has for years taken an interest in the
mysterious home OF Samuel Statham
He had been washing carriages till
very late, and at about half-past in the
morning was going up Park lane toward
Edgware road. where he lives. when his
attention was drawn to the fact that as
he passed Statham's house the front door
was slightly ajar Somebody was wait
ing there for the expected arrival OF a
stranger. and, hearing the carriage wash
er's fOotstep. had OPened the door in
readiness. There was no light in the
hall, and the mans first suspicion was
that of burglars about TO leave the place
Next instant, however. the reputation
for mystery which the place had earned
occurred 10 him, and he resolved 20 pass
on and watch. This he did. retiring into
doorway q little farther down, and,
standing in the shadow unobserved, he
waited
Half an hour passed. but nothing IN
usual occurred, until just after the clock
had struck 3. a rather tall, thin man
passed quietly along. He was in evening
dress. and wore pumps. for his tread
Was nOiseless- The man describes him as
an MISUNDERSTANDING person. and evil
IDENTIFY foreigner. At Statham's door he
suddenly halted. looked Cp and down fur
lively 10 satisfy himself that he was not
being watched, and then slipped inside"
And what then?" inquired Lyle, much
interested.
"A very queer circumstance followed. %
went on the cosmopolitan. There was.
an hour and a half later. an exact repeti-
ton Of the scene witnessed by the chauf-
feur.'
What! the black trunk?"
Eyes. A cab drove up near 70 the house,
and. at a signal from Levi came I'D 10
the curb. Then the long heavy box was
brought out by the servant and his mas
ter. heaved up on to the cab, which drove
away in the direction Of the Marble
Arch"
Internally suspicious" remarked the
hunchback, tossing his cigarette end into
the CRATE. Didn't the washer take note
Of the number Of the cab?"
NO. That's the unfortunate part Of IT,
Apparently he didn't notice the crawling
four-wheeler until he saw Levi come
forth and give the signal. p"
And the MISUNDERSTANDING foreig ner?
Could ne recognize him again -
He says he could
That was last night-eh?7
yes"
There may he some police Inquiries
regarding a missing foreigner" remarked
Lyle, thoughtfully. IF so his infoma-
ton may be valuable. How did YOU OBJ
tain IT.
From his own lips"
Then we had better wait, and watch
10 see il anybody is reported missing
Certainly that house is one Of mystery :"
sam Statham is INSCRIPTIONS. I know
him 10 my cost" Adams remarked.
And so do l. Lyle declared. If what
I suspect is true. then We shall make an
exposure that viii startle and horrlfy the
world"
You mean regarding the foreigner OF
last nightT'
Yes. ] have a suspicion that / can
establish the identity OF the foreigner in
question: man who has to-day been