Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-05-26
CHAPTER |.
A mysterious Crime.

Since the famous affair of Lady Della
Lyle's disappearance and death, he
had not been busy, and the joy OF
healthy idleness is only known to the
hard worker. Again, while dressing,
he had received a letter inviting him
10 a quiet shoot at a delightful place
in the country.
All these things blended with happy
lnconsequence to render Brett con-
tented in mind and affable in manner
IT'S a fine morning, Smith," he said
cheerily, as he settled himself at the
table where his man was already
pouring out the coffee.
Beautiful, SIR said Smith.
Smith"
"Yessir."
Not " the best English autumn
weather can stand being called ..bee-
utiful.' Dom do it. You will open the
flood-gates of Heaven
Smith laughed d~ecorously. He had
not the slightest idea what his master
meant, but If it pleased Mr.. Brett to
be j~ocose, it was the duty of a servant
who knew his place to be responsive.
h barrister fully understood
Smiths delicate appreciation-and its
limits. He instantly noticed that the
morning paper, instead of reposing next
to his folded napkin, was placed out
OF reach on the sideboard, and that the
Gigs and bacon made their appearance
half-a-minute too soon.
AS an expert swordsman delights to
execute a pass en- tierce with an UNI
brella, so did the cleverest analytical
detective of the age resolve to amaze
his servitor.
Smith," he said suddenly, composing
his features to their most severe cross
examination aspect, Il think the ar
rangement is an excellent one
What arrangement. SIR
THAT Mrs. Smith and yourself should
have a few days holiday, while Mrs.
Smiths brother takes your place dur
ing my forthcoming visit to Lord
Northallerton's-why. man. what is the
matter? Is it too hot?"-for the cover
Smith had lifted off the bacon and
eggs clattered violently on the table.
got, sir. 'Ot isn't the word. You're
a fair ticker. that's what you are"
Smith invariably dropped his his when
he became excited.
Smith. l insist that you shall not
call me names. Pass the paper.
But, sir
Pass the paper. Utter another word
and ! refuse to accept Mrs. Smiths
brother as your locum tenens."
Smith was silenced by the last terri
Bile epithet. Yet he was so manifestly
crvous hat Brett resolved to en-
tighten him before plunging into the
days's news.
"For the last time, Smith," he said. II
will explain to you why II is hopeless
for you to think of ~concealing trades
mems commissions from me-"
The shot Went home, but the enemy
was acquainted with this method of at
tack, and did not vince.
"You know that Lord Northallerton
had recently invited me to his October
misunderstanding. During the last few
days a youth, who grotesquely repro
duces Mrs. Smiths most prominent fea-
lures, has mysteriously tenanted the
Kitchen, ill-cleaned my boots and bun
gled over the studs In my shirts. This
| morning a letter came with the crest
and the Northallerton postmark. Real
ly, Smith. considering that you have
now breathed the same air as myself for
| eight long years, Ibid not expect to be
called for an explanation. Besides, you
have destroyed a masterpiece"
Sill" began Smith.
ooh, l understand: there is nothing
broken but your reputation. Don't you
see that the mere placing of the news
| paper at a distance, so that you might
have a chance to speak before / opened
1t. was a subtle stroke. worthy of Lee
coco. Yet you demand feeble words,
t+1--A -:A.t I-.-@,. C--,4t 4L,k t~.,o
genius is dumb. Speech may be sill
vern, but silence is surely golden"
The barrister solemnly unfolded the
paper. and Smith faded from the room.
ON n page usually devoted to important
| announcements the following paragraphs
stood forth in the boldness of loaded
tyne:
MYSTERIOUS OCCURRENCE IN
THE WEST END.
IAN affair of some magnitude-per-
hans q remarkable crime-has taken
place in an Albert Gate mansion.
owing to the reticence of the author
itie., IL is at present impossible to ar
rive at g. definite conclusion as to the
nature or extent of the incident, but 1t
"a quite certain that public interest Will
he much excited when details are forth
coming. All sorts OF remors attain
c-edence in the locality, the murder Of
several prominent persons being not the
least persistent of these. without, how
ever. giving currency to idle specula-
ron, several authentic statements may
ir grouped into a connected form.
-Four weeks & a party of Turkish
gentlemen of high rank in CONSTANT
uoplc arrived in London and took up
Their abode in the house in question,
sc!cr some structural alterations. point
ing at great security within and with
out. had been planned and executed.
Attending these Turkish gentlemen,
or officials, was a numerous suite of
Mos.cm guards and servants, whilst,
Immediately following their arrival,
came from Amsterdam some dozen
noted experts in the diamond cutting
industry. These were lodged in a neigh
boring private hotel. where they were
extremely uncommunicative as to their
business in London. They We're en-
tlo:ed during the day at the Albert
Gate house. The presence in the man
sion, both day and night, of a strong
force OF metropolitan police, tended to
excitc local curiosity to an intense de-
M e, but no clear conception of the
A~.,siness OF the occupants was allowed
10 reach the public.
.~Whatcvcr 1t was that took place, the
n.,l particulars were not only well
..1,,. n Tho anthorities-the ureaence