The Holly chieftain., 1914-06-26
THE MYSTERY OF
THE JADE SPEAR
(Continued.)

towards the mouse | heard 1alnt
bubble of laughter In my ear. turn
ed in surprise.
"Why, Peace" | said what is the
joker"
There is no joke, Mr.. Phillips
he answered. 1T was fate that
laughed. not l."
There were moments when. to
man of ordinary curiosity, Inspector
Addngton Peace was extremely 1rri-
tating
We walked up the avenue In 81
lence The motor was standing at the
front door, the chauffeur. a bright
faced youngster, lettering beside 1t.
Peace greeted him politely. entering
at once into dissertation upon
greasy roads and the dangers OF side
slips. Was there nothing that would
prevent them? He had heard that
there was patent, consisting OF
small chains crossing the tires. that
was excellent
Its about the best Of them SIR
said the lad "Mr Bulstrode uses 1t
on this car sometimes"
so this is Mr. Anstruther Bull
strodeS carr?
Yes, SIR He was the brother OF
the poor gentleman inside"
THE roads are fairly dry now"
continued Peace. but If you had
been out this morning.
"Oh. Mr.. Bulstrode had the chains
on this morning. he interrupted. Il
did not go with him. but when he
came back he told me he was glad to
have them. for the roads we're very
bad"
And MT. Bulstrode thought the
roads were dry enough this afternoon
TO do without them?"
Yes. He told me to take them
off He"
81 am glad to see the police inter
est themselves In motoring" broke In
high-pitched voice behind US. Il
was under the impression-false as
l now observe-that they. were con
firmed enemies to the sport"
A yellow husk of n man was Mr.
Anstruther Bulstrode. as knew this
stranger must be. Years under the
Indian sun had sucked the English
blood from his veins and burnt their
own dull color into his cheeks. He
stood on the step of the porch with
his hands behind him and his little
eyes glaring at the inspector like a
pair of black beads. His mouth,
twitching viciously under his strag-
gly mustache. proved that the poor
colonel had not been the only mem
ber of the Bulstrode family possessed
of an evil temper Over his shoulder
could see Miss Sherrick's white
face watching US, And now she
stepped forward to explain.
This is Inspector Peace, uncle"
she said nervously.
II know, my dear, know. Do you
think can't tell detective when /
see him. So you have caught your
man. eh, Inspector"
"If you will come into the library.
Mr.. Bustrode. I will answer what
questions may"
1t was now close upon eight O'Clock
and the pleasant twilight of the long
summer evening was drawing into
heavier shadows. There was no gas
in the old house, but Miss sherrlck
ordered lamps to be brought Ia. We
all seated ourselves about TIE big
fireplace save Peace, who stood on
the hearth.rug with his back 10 the
flowers that filled the empty CRATE
The shaded lamp dealt duskily with
our faces. There was strain, a
vague anxiety in the air that kept me
leaning forward in my chair, nervous
and watchful.
We'll INSPECTOR" repeated Mr. BuI.
strobe. what is your news?"
For answer, Peace walked up to
the lamp and laid beneath It the jade
spearhead, now cleaned and polished,
with its four inches of broken shaft.
DO you recognize that. Miss Sher-
rick?"
The girl bent over 1t without alarm.
She had no idea what part It had
played in that grim tragedy.
"Cer;ainly." she said. "lt is a
unique piece of stone. and Colonel
Bulstrode priced It more than any.
thing else in his collection know
It was hanging in the hall this morn.
ing, for was at work with a duster.
How did the shaft come to be brok.
en-"
IAN accident. Miss Sherrick"
MY poor uncle would have been
deeadfully a.gry about 1t. and 80
uust yer. be, Crcle Anstruther, for !
uMierrsi>nd yol claim 1t to be yours. u