The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-03-04
CHAPTER v.
what a Constable Saw.


staggered him that for few moments.
he had stood there in that room, staring
at the voman's tweed coat transfxed in
horror.
There was some great and terrible mys-
terry there, and with it Charlie Rolfe, the
man whom he had so implicitly trusted.
his most intimate friend, and brother of
the woman who was all the world to him.
was closely associated.
He glanced around the bare garnet IN
apprehension. All was so weird and un-
expected that a queer, uncanny feeling
had crept over him. What could have
occurred TO have caused this revolution
in the doctors house?
Here in that house, only q few hours
ago. he had smoked calmly with Petro-
witch, the studious Servian patriot, the
man whom the Servians worshiped and
who was the right hand OF his sovereign.
the King. When they had chatted OF
Maud's Irritation there had been no sug-
gestion OF departure Indeed. the doctor
had invited him to return after dinner as
he so often did. Max was an easy. gay.
careless man Of the world. yet he was
fond Of study, and fond OF the society OF
clever men Ike Petrovitch. The latter
was we'll known in literary circles on the
continent by reason Of having written a
most exhaustive history Of the Ottoman
empire. That night Marion his we'll
beloved had no doubt dined at that house.
prior 70 going 90 the concert with Maud,
At least she would be aware Of some
thing that might give clew TO this ex-
traOrdinary and hurried flight. If not TO
lying upon the floor at his feet
He was undecided how next to act.
Should he 30 to the police station and in
quire Of the inspector whether removing
vans had been noticed by the constable
on the beat, or should he take a cab to
Queens Hall 10 try and find Marion and
Maud?
He glanced at his watch. and saw that
by the time he got TO the concert they
would in all probability have left Marion
was compelled TO be in by II O'Clock;
therefore Maud would no doubt come out
with her Indeed in a quarter OF an hour
his friends daughter would be due to re-
turn there.
This decided him, and, without more
ado. he left the house. Was It worth
while at present, he reflected. SAYING
anything TO the police regarding the
blood-stained garment? Charlie might
give the explanation. de would see him
before the night was out
Therefore. finding a constable at the
corner Of Earls Court road, he INQUIRED
OF him if he had noticed any removing
vans before the house in question. The
man replied that he had only come on
duty at ten. therefore it would be best e
be went 20 the police station. TO which ne
directed him.
If the man on duty saw any removing
vans In the evening, be would certainly
report it" the constable added politely;
and Barclay then went in the direction
he indicated.
quarter OF an hour later he stood IN
the police Office. while the inspector
turned over the leaves OF the big book in
which reports OF every untoward or sus-
picious occurrence are entered for refer
ence. in case OF civil actions or other
eventualities
At first he could md nothing. but at
last he exclaimed:
There's something here. I suppose
this is H. Listen: P. c. Baldwin, when
he came off duty reported TO the station
sergeant that two large pantechnicon
vans and a small covered van Of Harm
er's Stores, Knightsbridge. drove up at
$40 20 No. 127a. Cromwell road, close 10
Queens Gate Gardens. and with seven
men and a foreman removed the whole Of
the furniture. The constable SPOKE to the
foreman, and learned that II was a sud-
den order given by the Householder. a DR..
PetrOvitch. a foreigner, for his goods to
be removed before half-past ten that
night. and stored AT the firms depository
at Chiswick."
But they must have done it with mar
velOus alacTity.' Max remarked, at the
H. ~. II
covered the destination OF the doctors
household goods.
Bless YOU, sir" answered the inspec-
tor. "Harraer's can do anything They'd
have sent twenty vans and cleared out
the place In a quarter Of an hour If
they'd contracted TO do so. You know
they can do anything. and supply any
thing from tin tack to a live monkey"
Then they've been stored at Chiswick.
eh?"
NO doubt sir. TIE constable would
make ell inquiry. You know Harmer's
place at Chiswick not far from Turnham
Green railway station? At the Office in
Knightsbridge they'd tell you al about II.
This foreign doctor was friend or yours.
I SUPPOSE
Yes, a great friend" replied Barclay.
THE fact Is, I'm much puzzled over the
affair. Only late this afternoon l was in
his study. smoking and talking but he
told me nothing about his sudden re-
moval."
"Ah, foreigners are generally pretty
shifty customers, sir" was the officers
remark. If you'd seen as much as
have Of EN-. when I WAS down at Leman
street. you'd think twice before you
trusted one OF course. no reflection in
tended on your friend, sir"
But there are foreigners who are gen.
tlemen. Max ventured TO suggest
Yes, there may be- 1 haven't met
many. and we have to deal with all classes,
you know. But tell me the circum-
stances. added the inspector. seeming
mystery in this sudden flight. 'Petrovitch
might be some city Spectator who had
suddenly been ruined, or a bankrupt who
had absconded"
Max Barclay was. however. not very
communicative. Perhaps II was because
Of Charles inexplicable presence in that
deserted house, or perhaps on account OF
the inspectors British antipathy toward
foreigners; nevertheless, he said nothing
regarding that Woman's coat with the
tell-tale mark OF blood
Besides, the doctor and Maud must be
somewhere in the vicinity. No doubt ne
would come round 10 Dover street in the
morning and explain his unusual removal
The discovery OF Rolfe's presence there
was nevertheless, inexplcable The more
he reflected upon it, the more suspicious
it seemed.
The inspectors curiosity had been
aroused by Max's demeanor. The latter
had briefly related how he had called, TO
find the house empty and the occupier.
his daughter. and the servants gone
Did you see any servant when Won
were there this EVENING""
yes: the man-serVant Costa