The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-10-24
The Chronicles of Addington Peace

was merely stating the facts. Mr.
Henderson's case, however, presents
an interesting feature, for he has run
away"
run away" / said Then that
settles It."
Not altogether, I'm afraid. I think
it is more matter of theft than muir
der with Mr.. Henderson"
l stared at him in silence as he sal
there, with his little hands clasped
upon his lap, a picture Of Irritating
composure.
Peace" I said, struggling to con
troll my voice. what are you hiding
from meq It is something inhuman
unnatural that has done this dreadful
thing"
The little detective stretched him
self, yawned, and then rose to his
feet.
tT have no opinion except that
think you had better go to bed. Donr
lock your door, for l 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 tbs
turmoil of the morning moved the lit
tie detective, the most sympathetic
of men. It was he who apologised 81
humbly for the locked doors Of the
bathrooms; he who superintendeC
the lighting of fires, and the making
of the beds, and the packing o
trunks for the station SO closely tina
the housemaids were convinced tina
he entertained a secret passion fol
each one of them; it was he who an
nounced Hendersons robbery OF the
gold plate, following 1t by informs
ton as to the culprit's arrest. The
establishment had by this time be
come convinced that Henderson wal
the murderer, and breathed relief al
the news.
They had brought the body of Baror
steen to the house early in the morn
ing-it had been laid In the garder
pavilion on it's first discovery.
With death In so strange a form
present among US, was disguised b.
the noise and hustle, the gossip anG
chatter amongst the guests of the
dead man. / wandered OFF In search
of the enc person who had seemed
sincerely affected by the news. the
young secretary, Maurice Terry. Hs
was nowhere to be found. A servan'
Of whom I inquired told me that the
secretary had kept to his bed, beins
greatly unnerved by the tragedy, ant
strolled up the stairs again on al
erraud Of consolation. The door wal
locked, and there came no answer Il
my continued tapping.
Terry" I called through the key
hole. EFT In I, Phillips; won't yen lie
me INF"
II have q key that win At If ye,
will kindly stand aside" suggested
modest voice.
I rose from my knees to find tn
inspector at my elbow.
"It would be a gross intrusion"
told him. eff he wishes to be alon,
with his sorrow, we have no right q
disturb him"
He is seriously ILL.,"
"How did you discover thatF
by borrowing a gardeners ladde
and looking through his window. HI
10 unconscious, or was ten minutes
ago"
A skillful twist or two with a bi
of wire and the key was pushed from
the lock. The duplicate opened tn,
door. Peace walked into the room
and I followed at his heels.
On his bed, fully dressed, lay poo
| Terry, with a face paler than his pil
lows. His breath came and went il
short, painful gasps. One hand stray
ed continuously about his throat
cropping and plucking at his cola
with feverish unrest. E was q yer.
painful spectacle.
/ 'T will send for doctor at once"
whispered, stepping to the bell. Blu
Peace held up warning hand.
"Come here" he said, Il have some
thing to show you"
F., With movements as tender as
woman's he unfastened the mans co
lar and slipped out the stud. The
| he paused. The eyes that watches
| me had turned cold and hard.
| eff 1t is as / suspect, you may b