The Holly chieftain., 1914-06-26
~ FLETCHER ROBINSON


the old planter.
But does the spear really belong
| to you, Mr.. Bulstrode?" asked the
inspector. blandly. :.
The man stiffened himself in his
chair with his fists clenched on his
knees, and his beady eyes staring
straight before him.
That spear Is mine, Mr.. Detective
My brother having practically stolen
1t from me, threatened me with per-
/ sonal violence II l attempted to re-
claim It, 1t was the most perfect
| piece of workmanship in my own col
lection. l shall take legal steps to
claim my rightful property in due
| course"
Your brother seems to have acted
in a very high-handed manner with
you, Mr. Bulstrode. l wonder that
you did not walk in here one day and
recover your property"
The planter rose with twisted
laugh.
I'm not housebreaker," he said.
| ALSO, ] must point out that I don't
intend to sit here all night. Can l do
anything more for you. Inspector"
mo. Mr. Bulstrode."
"Or for you. Nary"
No. uncle. l have my maid, anf
, there is Agatha. the housekeeper."
so that's all right Let us thank
Heaven the criminal is no longer at
large. 1t didn't take long for our
excellent police to make up their
minds. Cad! they're clever beggars.
| They had their hands on him smart
enough. 1t is pleasure to meet such
man as you, Inspector Add1ngton
Peace. A celebrity. by thunder, that's
what call you"
He burst out into a peal Of high.
pitched laughter, rocking to and fro
and clutching the edge of the table
with his hand. Then he bowed to us
all very low and staggered out OF
the room. Peace stepped out after
him. and l followed at his heels.
lamp hung in the roof Of toe
porch, and Mr.. Bulstrode stopped be-
meath It, In its light he looked more
fierce. and old and yellow than ever.
1T Is no good. Mr.. Bulstrode," said
Addington Peace.
Exactly; can I give you lift?"
ne said quite quietly as he pointed to
the car
ut would certainly be most conve-
nient"
Mr.. Bulstrode laughed again, leer-
Ing back at me over his shoulder, as
II my presence afforded an added zest
to his merriment. There seemed an
understanding between him and the
inspector. Frankly, 1t puzzled me.
You do not make confidants of
your assistants, Mr.. Peace" he said.
The little inspector bowed.
AT the same time" continued the
old planter, Il should like to make a
statement before we go. There is
no necessity to warn me. l know the
law"
"It is Just as you like. Mr.. Bull
strobe"
"If sneered at the police this
evening l now make them my apollo
gies. You have managed this busl.
ness we'll. l still do not understand
how you come to accuse me. Re
member. did not know he was dead
until | received telegram from my
niece after lunch. 1t was rather a
shock; perhaps at first was of a
| mind not to confess. 1t would have
saved me much Inconvenience"
And endangered an innocent man"
said the inspector.
We'll, well. you couldn't have
proved it against him, and might
have escaped. The whole affair was
an accident. l had no intention even
of wounding him"
Exactly, Mr.. Bulstrode-no more
than the excursionist who throws out
a glass bottle intends to brain the
man walking by the line"
The truth was clear enough now.
In some strange fashion this man had
killed his brother. I stepped back
a pace instinctively.
You see," he continued, brother
William had, under circumstances Of
no immediate importance. appropriat-
ed my jade spear. l made up my
mind to get 1t back. knew the hour
at which he lunched, and leaving my
motor in the road l walked down the
avenue, hoping to find the front door
open and no one about. l had sue.
cessful start. The front door was
ajar.. l went in. took the spear from
the wall. and set OF back to my car.
was some fifty yards down the drive
when heard yell, and there was
brother William tumbling out Of the
porch. revolver in hand.
ut startled me, for he had the