Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1912-01-26
TIE RECORD ON THE SCREEN
AN ADVENTURE OF PETER cREWE 1.-THE MAN
WITH THE CAMERA EYES,
Bv HAIR Roll c A RTER
opy lg1by

could. He had solved many a per-
picking problem for me through the
aid of his wonderful visualizing pow
ers. No image that passed before the
camera-like eyes of Peter Crewe was
ever forgotten.
Let us begin by assuming that
such q man exists" said Crewe, when
he had heard my story attentively.
Are there any photographs OF men in
Mrs. Sarford's apartment?"
There were dozens of photographs
of both men and women. In fact Mrs.
Sanford had had hobby for collect
ing photographs Of all her acquaint-
ances. The apartment had been
sealed by the police, but, upon obtain
ing an order from the authorities, we
were enabled TO enter. We found pho
tographs al round the sitting room.
''If it is one Of these I said, mo
body knows which one"
THAT is inmaterial, so long as it is
one OF then," said Crewe, focusing
his eyes upon each in turn. He re-
manned thus for several seconds in
front Of each photograph, as though
some time were needed for the action
of the light to impress the images
indeliby npon the retina
Now" said Crewe, "the probabili-
ties are that she met him in the mov-
ing picture company for which she
posed. Actresses and actors general
ly form close corporation, and we
may almost take it for granted that
they belonged to the same trade. BY
the way, Langton, the photograph that
we are looking 70. is probably not
here"
Not here?" l calculated.
NO." he said, pointing to the velvet
mantel cover. do you see anything
strange there? Surely you must, for
it is almost impossible to keep Sc
cret from velvet
Il see some DUST" I said.
look here-end here-and here"
said Crewe impatiently. DO you see
that faint line along the nap of the
velvet? That is where photograph
stood for several weeks, but stands no
longer. Observe that there is an edg-
ing of dust on either side of it. And
here, and here, these photographs be-
side it once stood, but they were re-
Gently moved up about an inch and
half closer. Langton, the murderer
undoubtedly took away his photo
graph and moved up the photographs
on either side in order to cover the
gap left by the removal. 1t was in
genious, and would have bafiled the
police. But velvet tells its own tale,
and all the rubbing in the world
would not have erased those creaseS
in the nap. We are, then, bent upon
the search for man whose photo
graph is not here-Mrs. Sanfords
only friend WON we have not seen.
1t simplifies matters enormously"
"How?" I asked.
I'm the first place it bears out your
theory as to the existence of such a
man, whom we have hitherto only as
sumed to exist. Secondly, we know
all Mrs. Sanford's friends but him.
Consequently, when we see him in the
moving pictures we know him instant
ly. But it is essential, in order to
verify certain suspicious that I enter
tain, that we should see the knife"
THAT can be DONE" l said. "It is
in the custody of the police, but have
the right of inspection. Let us go
10 r,olinn hnoIn,rartnrc i'm a.
diately."
No demur was made to our examin-
ing the weapon, although a detective
remained at hand while we looked at
it. 1t was formidable affair, and one
which had evidently been put to use
by it's Malay owner before it crossed
the seas to become the property of
the luckless actress. Its blade curled
in a succession of waves, and it was
as keen as the finest razor. Upon
the right side, when held blade up
ward, appeared the bloody glove
prints.
eff them was only finger prints,
now" said the detective, wed know
who done it instantly. Fingers is
never the same, but gloves battles u.s.
"On the contrary" said Crewe, 81
think we shall run the murderer to
earth with equal facility"
you've got him, that's why" said
the detective, chuckling. Gents, It's
as clean a case against the accused
as we've handled this year."
Not if he knows how to pitch
quoits," said Crewe, sharply.
Whats that you say" asked the
detective.
Il said, not IL he knows how to
pitch quoits,'" said Crewe. Come,
Langton, this is a very important
point. We must stop in at sport
ing shop and get some quoits. l sup
pose the prisoner will be allowed to
pitch them in the prison yard?"-
l was lost in amaZement at this
new scheme of Crewe's, but l knew
that it was useless to ask for an ex-
PLANTATION until the unfolding of the
plot. We purchased a half dozen
quoits and took them to our prisoner,
to whom | introduced my companion.
Sanford was inclined to be sullen al
first, and dcmurred when requested
to pitch the quoits.
Sanford" l whispered, there's
more in this than you or know. Don't
be obstinate. Mr.. Crewe has got men
Nf
by just such aimless means"