The Holly chieftain., 1914-03-20
THE MYSTERY OF
THE CAUSEWAY

that young Sir Andrew Cheyne was
found dead OF gunshot wound in the
grounds of Alrlie Hall, his house in
Surrey.
/ was myself especially interested In
The case. as | was staying at cot
'age within three miles of the Hall at
the time. All the gossip came to us
hrst hand. By breakfast We learned
Of the death. An hour later came the
rumor of the murder. and the fact
hat an arrest had been made. man
had been caught running from the
spot where the body lay.
My host was a bachelor and broth
er artist. His little place was bound
by no conventions. Go or come, but
don't trouble to eXplain-such was the
custom. He was busy that morning,
as | knew. SO | appropriated his bfcy-
Gle and set off through the lanes to
visit the scene of the tragedy.
Airlie Hall lay some two hundred
yards back from the main road. The
drive. framed in wide stretches of
turf, and flanked by triple avenue
of chestnuts, ran in straight line
from the great porch to the entrance
gates of twisted. iron. Peering
through the bars were dozen vii
layers. Within. his hand upon the.
lock. stood policeman. massive. red
faced, pompous with his present I'm
portance.
May l come in?' l asked politely.
You may not" he said quite briefly.
l put my hand in my pocket, hesl-
tated and drew it out empty. 1t
was too public place for corruption.
If Addington Peace had only been
with me, | thought-and SO thinking,
came by an idea. Even a rural police
man would know the famous detectives
name.
My friend, Inspector Peace" I
began.
inspector who?" he interrupted.
"Addington Peace of the Criminal
Investigation Department. hoped he
would be here"
His manner changed with a celerity
which was the greatest compliment
he could have paid to the little detec-
tive.
Il beg your par don. SIR" he said.
The inspector drove up from the sta
tion not ten minutes ago. II you will
inquire at the hall. you will be sure to
find him."
The servant who answered my mod
est ring led me through dark pas
sage OF paneled oak and out upon the
terrace that lay on the farther side OF
the house. Below it sloping lawn
ran down TO a broad lake fringed with
reeds. Beyond the lake a park
stretched away dotted with single
oaks now struggling into foliage. 1t
was lovely view, unmolested by the
centuries. AS 1t was so it had been
three hundred years before. when some
courtier of Elizabeth. in tightly fitting
hose and immaculate ruffles. chose 1t
as the outlook from the windows of
his dining-room.
In the middle of the terrace, Adding
ton Peace stood, smoking a cigarette
and talking to a tall and stately per-
son in black coat, who looked every
inch the man he was-the butler of
British country house,
"A fine morning. Mr.. Phillips" he
said. Il did not know you were stay
ing In the neighborhood'
Il cycled over after hearing the
news. Your name opened the gates,
Inspector"
We'll, am pleased to see you,
anyhow. Mr.. Roberts here was giving
me his view of this unfortunate affair.
You may continue, Mr.. Roberts"
The little inspector turned, as he
heard my footsteps on the gravel. and
nodded benevolent welcome
The butler had been staring at me
with great suspicion; but apparently
he concluded that, as friend OF
detective, was respectable per-
son.
We'll, gentlemen he said. In a soft,
oily voice. as from confirmed over
eating, my mind Is. SO to speak, q
blank. But what ! know l will say
without fear or favor. Sir Andrew had
not previously honored us with his
presence, he having remained abroad
from the death Of Sir William. which
was his uncle, some six months ago.
Yesterday-that is. Thursday morning
he wired from London for q carriage
to meet the 1852 train. We were all
In a Gutter OF excitement, as you can
we'll imagine. But when he arrived 1t
was. he said. with no intention OF
staying the night. During the after
neon he saw his agent on business