The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1912-11-15

was merely staung Ine facrs. ma,
Henderson,s case, however, presents
an interesting feature. for he has run
away"
Run away" I said. "rhen that
settles It."
'Not altogether, I'm afraid. I think
II is more a matter of theft than muir
der with Mr.. Henderson"
/ stared at him in silence as he sal
there, with his little hands clasped
upon his lap, picture of irritating
composure.
Peace" I said, struggling to con
troll my voice. what are you hiding
from me? 1t is something inhuman
unnatural that has done this dreadful
thing"
The little detective stretched him
self, yawned, and then rose to his
feet.
II have no opinion except that
think you had better go to bed. Don't
lock your door, for / may find time
for an hours sleep on your sofa be-
fore morning."
The news was out after breakfast
the news that led to mild Mysteries
and scurrying of lady's-maids to the
packing of boxes, and the chastened
sorrow OF those gentlemen who owed
the baron money. Through all the
turmoil Of the morning moved the lit
tie detective, the most sympathetic
of men. It was he who apologized so
humbly for the locked doors of the
bathrooms; he who ,superintended
the lighting OF fires. and the making
of the beds. and the packing Of
trunks for the station SO closely that
the housemaids were convinced that
he entertained q secret passion for
each one of them; It was he who an
nounoed Henderson's robbery of the
gold plate, following II by. inforna-
ton as to the culprit's arrest. The
establishment had by this time be-
come convinced that Henderson was
the murderer. and breathed relief at
the news. .t.tt
They had brought the body Of Baron
Steen to the house early In the morn
ing-it had been laid in the garden
pavilion on Its first discovery.
With death In so strange a form
present among us, was Disguised by
the noise and hustle, the gossip and
chatter amongst the guests Of the
dead man. I wandered OF in search
OF the one person who had seemed
sincerely affected by the news. the
young secretary. Maurice Terry. He
was nowhere to be found. A servant
OF whom inquired told me that the
secretary had kept to his bed, being
greatly unnerved by the tragedy, and
I strolled up the stairs again on an
errand of consolation. The door was
locked, and there came no answer to
my continued tapping.
Terry" l called through the key.
hole. 1T Is l, Phillips; won't you let
me in?"
Il have a key that will At, IL you
will kindly stand aside" suggested a
modest voice.
rose from my knees to find the
inspector at my elbow.
at would be a gross intrusion"
told him. 'If he wishes to be alone
with his sorrow, we have no right TO
disturb him"
He Is seriously ILL.,"
How did you discover that?"
"By borrowing a gardeners ladder
and looking through his window. He
Is unconscious, or was ten minutes
ago"
A skillful twist or two with a bit
OF wire and the key was pushed from
the lock. The duplicate opened the
door. Peace walked into the room,
and | followed at his heels.
On his bed, fully dressed. lay poor
Terry, with a face paler than his pill
lows. His breath came and went In
short, painful gasps. One hand stray
ed continuously about his throat,
cropping and plucking at his collar
with feverish unrest. It was a very
painful spectacle.
81 will send for doctor at once"
whispered, stepping to the bell. But
Peace held up warning hand.
come mere, ne SAID, nave some
thing to show you"
With movements as tender as a
woman's he unfastened the mans col
lar and slipped out the stud. Then
he paused. The eyes that watched
me had turned cold and hard.
IF it is as I suspect. you may be
called as witness. DO you object ?"
Eyes; but / shall not leave you on
that account"
Very we'll" he said, as he opened
the shirt and the vest beneath It.
Smeared and patched in dark etch-
ing upon the white skin was broad
stain Of blood. of dried and clotted
blood, the LIES blood of man.
''He is wounded. Peace" I cried.
fA1I h.. II,