The Washington herald., 1908-03-06
CHAPTER VII.
Contains Several Revelations.

Contains Several Revelations.
Max Barclay retraced his steps along
Oxford street much puzzled. What Mar
ion had told him was both startling and
curious in face of the sudden disap-
pearanee Of the doctor and his daughter.
II the latter had made a confession, as
che apparently had. then Marion was.
after all. perfectly within her right in
not betraying her friend.
Yet what could that confession be?
Marion had said it was "a terrible con-
fession.' and as he went along he tried
in vain 10 imagine its nature.
The morning was bright and sunlit. and
Oxford street was already busy. About
the Circus the ebb and flow of traffic had
already begun, and the windows OF the
big drapery shops were already attracting
the feminine crowds with their announce
ments OF summer sales" and bats OF
great bargains"
For a moment he paused at the curb.
then, entering a hanson. he drove 10
Harmer's stores. the great emporium in
knightsbridge which had been intrusted
with the removal of the doctors furni-
ture.
Without much difficulty he found the
manager. a short, dapper, little frock-
coated, freckled-faced business man, and
explained the nature of his inquiry.
The man seemed somewhat puzzled.
and. going to A desk. opened n big ledger
and slowly turned the pages.
Il think there must be some mistake.
sir was his reply. I'VE have had no
removal of that name yesterday
But they were at Cromwell road late
last night" Max declared. The police
saw them there"
The police could not have seen any of
our vans removing furniture form Crom-
well road last night" protested the mana
ser. See here for yourself Yesterday
there were four removals Only-CrOydOn
TO Southsea. Fitzjohns avenue to Lower
Norwood, South Audley street TO Ash
ley Gardens. and Elgin avenue to Finch
ley. Here they are" and he pointed TO
the page whereon the particulars We're
inscribed.
The goods IN question were removed
by you from Cromwell road. and stored
in your depository at Chiswick"
Il think, sir. you really must be mis-
taken" replied the manager, shaking his
head. Did you see our vans there your
self?"
No The police did, and made in
quiry"
with the usual result. suppose. that
they bungled. and told you the wrong
name"
They've got it written down in their
books"
wei. all l can say is that we didn't
remove any furniture from the road YOU
mention"
But it was at night"
I'VE do not undertake job at night un-
Ice NE H.
landlord that the rent IS duly paid and
ascertain that no money is owing"
Max was now puzzled more than ever.
The police say that the effects were
sent 20 your depository. he remarked
dissatisfied with the managers assurance
in that case inquiry is very easy ht
said. and walking TO the telephone he
rang up the depository at Chiswick
rs that you. Merrick?" he asked over
the phone. 4 say, Have you been ware
housing any goods either yesterday on
to-day, or 90 you know Of job In Crom-
well road, at the house of a DR.. Pet
rovitch?''
For a full minute he waited the reply
At last 1t came. and he heard il TO the
end
mo" he said. putting down the re-
ceiver and turning to Barclay. las ]
expected. They know nothing of the
matter at the depository"
But how do you account for your vans
two pantechnicons and a covered van
being there?" he asked.
The manager shook his head
We have here the times when each
job in Lon1on was finished. and when
the vans returned 10 the yard. They
were all in by 7:3). Therefore they could
not have been ours
well. that's most extraordinary"
Is it somebody who has disappeared? -
Yes"
All, the vans were, no doubt, painted
with our names specially. in order to