Evening star., 1912-03-10


me what you mean by certain peculiar features"
3Why,' replied Kent slowly, Il should say that the
time of the explosion was the most obvious"
A T this moment the door opened, and short, fat;
breezy, persplrng man with face OF ruddy good
nature precpitated himself into the room and rushed
upon Miss Wayand
aMy dear aunt" he cried, seizng her by both hands.
what happy escape Heaven looks after the good.
eh1 The moment heard hustled here at top speed"
"You might have saved yourself wted collar, Rob
ert. hate mussy men. returned the old lady cooly.
"You find me quite intact And now, il you have re-
covered your BREATH let me introduce Professor Kent;
my nephew, Mr.. Robert Swart."
Chester Kent? Why, We We met before. said Swart
heartily. ut was when was in the land office"
claim case said Kent.
aWere you interested in that case Professor Kent7"
asked the old lady.
aHe was the Governments pet expert" explained
her nephew, with smile For the losing
sde eh Professor? Well, life would fail of its
one could always win. But didn't know you were
friend of my auntS.
"Nor can claim that honor, returned the scientist.
"You waited into interesting acquaintance
ship, Mr. Swart, on the wings OF mysterious explo-
slon.
"Not mysterious at ALL" confutcd Miss Wayland,
except as Professor Kent may try to read mystery
into a very commonplace attempt at murder. Denny
Boyle has tried to blow me to bits.
aNot DENNY" exclaimed the nephew, with genuine
emotion in his voice.
aYes, Denny. When l discharged him, he scowled
and growled and said l would never have chance to
do it again. He knew that he down in my will for
good round sum, and suppose he thought he'd have
his revenge and get me out OF the way before had time
to alter the bequest. Isn't that concluSve? demanded
the old lady, looking triumphantly round the little
circle
Chester Kent smiled
aThis gentleman pretenls not to think so,' added
why, Aunt, it doesn't seem to me conclusive OBJ
iected Swart. "Stil" he added slowly, what other
possible solution is there, after all?'
aPardon me. The question isn't Is any other solu-
ton possible? but, Is this solution impossibe?'
@Just consider, Miss Wayland. You say that, every
evening at given hour, you make tour OF your place
4Ye."
3The grounds extensive. l suppose it takes you
twenty mnutes?"
4More. Since have been suffering from headaches,
l have usually stayed out an hour.
1How long has that been?'
1.-TWO months more
aBut before that for several years you have made your
promenade with regularity?
Absolutely"
Sand Boyle has been in your service for several
years9"
49, in all probability, he would know your customo"
@Yes, he often accompanied me when l made my
evening rounds.
Then, Miss Wayland why should he try to blow you
up in your bed at an hour when he knew you would
be out of your bed particularly as by setting his sup
posed internal machine for later hour he would have
been sure of killing you!
@Infernal machines provcrbialy uncertain" sug-
gested Swart.
1Proverbially, but not actually. You might well
say that cockwork is proverbally uncertain since in
fernal machines usually off by ordinary clock
work."
aHave it your own way, Professor, have it your own
way!" granted the other g" hate to think it of Denny,
drunk sober. Just the same, to common garden
mind like mine, the against the common garden
gardener looks pretty black But Aunt, nerves?
ANY bad effects from the shock?
aNonsense! Am l hystercal schoolgirl Good
effects rather. Here it is close upon midnight and I've
not had hint of my usual headache.
@Good Omit the dose tonight, then. How many
left of that last lot of powlers?"
Eight nine, think
"Where they"