The Elbert County tribune., 1908-07-30


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 Harts 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. ! 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
fact. accompanied Sir Archibald
to his carriage and saw him drive off,
and his man was with him.
That's too bad"
The host smiled
a think it's good-for Sir Archi-
bald's man"
After some further talk Sir Will
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 at the south entrance
said one of the servants had brought
him 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
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 regiment
of thieves could escape while he was
away?"
But my Gear SIR" replied Sir Will
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, 81
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 1t 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 1t was abandoned. The
detective remained in the library until
nearly midnight. He seemed to have
run up against dead wall. But he
had been doing 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"
was the response.
Lord Mortimer was the impecunious
earl The host was instantly all at
tention. He took the telegram and
excused himself to the detective.
"PardSa me a moment until i give
this to Mortimer"
He lefl the room and was gone 10
or 15 mnutes. He returned with a
perplexe6 look.
What is it?" asked the detective.
"Mortimer's not in his room. and 1
can't locate him anywhere.
"Of course" he said almost rudely,
there's no significance in his abb
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