The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1910-03-17

CHAPTER uI--(continued)
BY EDGAR WALLACE

" W. NOA AAAON oAtA hiAoSi p
~: his eye was wandering up and
down a column OF figures on the paper
before him.
II am inclined to fancy there is-a
man named Conner. who used to be q
croupter or something to old Reale."
He frowned at the paper, and pick
ing up a pencil from the desk, made 8
rapid little calculation. Seven stone
49," he muttered.
The commissioner tapped the table
inpatiently. He had sunk into a seat
opposite Angel.
MY dear man, who is old Reale? You
forget that you are our tame foreign
half the horrid things that people say
about your appointment you would die
of shame!"
Angel pushed aside the papers with
a little laugh.
I'm beyond shame" he said light
heartedly; land. besides, I've heard
You We're asking about Reale. 12eale is
prietor of II of the most delightful
gambling plants in Egypt, Rome-good-
ness knows where. Education-none.
Hobbies-invention. That's the bee in
his bonnet'-invention. If he's got an
other. it is the common or garden puz-
zle. Pigs in clover. missing words, all
the fake competitions that cheap little
w S''t ~ " nv ~
Lives at 4S Terrington Square"
"Where?' The commissioners eye
brows rose. 'Reale? 43 Terrington
Square? Why, of course" He looked
at Angel queerly. You know all about
Realeo"
Angel shrugged his shoulders.
LAS much as ANYBODY knows" HI
said.
The commissioner nodded.
well. take a cab and get down at
once to AZ Terrington Square. Your old
Reale was murdered last night"
y 1t Was peculiar of Angel Esquire that
nothing surprised him. He received the
terest, Il now he merely said, "Dear
mel" Later. as q swift hanson carried
him along Whitehall he permitted him
self to be blessed"
Outside No. 40 Terrington Square a
small crowd of morbid sightseers stood
in gloomy anticipation of some grue-
some experience or other. A policeman
stopped in his Interrogation of a white
faced butler to bid him a curt Good
morning.
Angels preliminary inspection did
not take any time. He saw the bodies.
which had not yet been removed. He
examined h pockets of both men. and
ran his eye through the scattered pap
ers on the floor of the room in which
the tragedy had occurred. Then he
came back to the big drawing room and
saw the inspector, who was sitting at
q. table writing his report.
The chap on the top floor committed
the murder. of course" said Angel.
II know that" said Inspector Boyden
brusquely.
And was e1ectrocuted by a current
passing through the handle of the
SAFE"
Il gathered that" the inspector re-
Piled as before, and went on with his
work.
The murderer's name is Massey"
continued Angel patiently-'George
Charles Massey"
The inspector turned in his seat with
o sarcastic smile.
Il also" he said pointedly, have
seen the envelopes addressed in that
name. which were found in his pocket"
Angels face was preternaturally
solemn as he continued
The third man 1 am not so sure
about"
The inspector looked up suspicious
Third man-which third man?"
Well-simulated establishment sent
Angels eyebrows to the shape Of in
verified VS..
There was another mar in it. Didn't
you know that, Mr.. Inspector??"
Il have found no evidence Of the
presence Of a third party" he said
my Investigations"
"Good!" said Angel cheerfully.
when you have, you will find the ends
Of three cigarets-two in the room
where the old man vas killed, and one
in the safe room. They are marked
Al KAN and are a fairly expensive
variety Of Egyptian ~cigarets. Massey
AmOkQ0 ctpQr9. old Paalo did NOT Sro0lo
at all. The question is'-he went
on speaking aloud to himself, and
ignoring the perplexed police Official
was 1t Connor or was it Jimmy?"
The inspector struggled with a desire
to satisfy his curiosity at the expense
OF his dignity, and resolved to maintain
an attitude of superior incredulity. He
turned back to his work.
1T would be jolly difficult to impli-
cate either OF Them" Angel went on
effectively, addressing the back of the
Inspector. They would produce fifty
u~nimpeachable alibis, n bring an
action for wrongful arrest in addition
he added artfully.
They can't do that" said the in
spector gruffly.
Cant they?" asked the innocent
Angel. Well, at amy rate, it's not adj
visabic to arrest them. Jimmy
Inspector Boyden swung round in his
chair.
Il don't know whether you're pulling
leg Mr.. Angel. You are perhaps
unused to the procedure in criminal
cases in London, and I must now in
form Q that at present 1 ann in charge
Of the case, and must request that if
you have any information bearing upon
this crime to give it to me at once"
With all h pleasure in life" said
Angel heartily. I'm the first place,
Jimmy"
Full name please" The inspector
dipped his e in ink.
Haven't the slightest idea said the
other carelessly. Everybody knows
Jimmy. He was old Reale's most sue
cessful decoy duck. Had the presence
and h plumage and looked alive. SO
hat all the other little ducks used to
come flying down and settle about him.
and long before they could discover
that the beautiful bird that attracted
them was only painted wood and feath-
ers. Bang! bang went old Reale's
double-barrel, and roast duck was on
the menu for days on end"
Inspector Boyden threw down his pen
vr,{tL n rr,1nf