The Washington herald., 1914-10-25


work quite satisfactorily. Hasten ar
rived at about o'clock and must have
sent that note of to me very soon aft.
erward He took bedroom and asked
Paul, the head porter, for some quiet
place where he could dine without be-
ing noticed, as he didn't wish to be
seen in London at all till next day.
Paul directed him to-where do YOU
think"
Constance was sitting quite still Her
eyes seemed to have grown larger.
To the Cafe Hollandel" she cried
The inspector smiled little indulg-
entity.
4 know you have that place on the
brain, Miss Robinson" he said Per
sonally, as I've searched it plank by
plank, ] don't exactly-why, what's the
matter?"
Constance was already half way to-
ward the door. Brooke dragged the in
spector to his feet
"Haslem was at the Cafe HoIlande
when we left" he exclaimed. "and, BY
heaven, he wasn't there for nothingl
Quickl Well explain on the way"
They hurried into a taxicab.
Look here" Brooke said, "notwith-
standing your search, Mr.. Simmons,
there's something wrong about that
place. Paul sent Dupoy there, and you
know what happened to him. Haslem
is another man with enemies. l tell
you he was sitting down there twenty
minutes ago. They'd got him"
Mr.. Simmons was an unprejudiced
person To a certain extent he be-
lieved in Constance, and he believed in
Brooke.
We'll fetch him out, then, at any
rate" he declared. Is there likely to
be any trouble, l wonder?"
IF so, we can deal with i" Brooke
replied. Miss Robinson can stay out
side and bring in a policeman or two
after US, if we don't reappear"
Miss Robinson will do nothing of
the Sort" she retorted. IF this is any
ones affair, it's mine"
The taxicab pulled up at the corner.
They all three hurried across the pave
meTt The upper room was still filed
with a cheerful crowd They hastened
toward the staircase A waiter inter-
cepted them.
1T is closed downstairs, monsieur"
he announced.
Brooke flung him out OF the way.
They descended quickly. The band had
ceased to play. half the lights were out,
the doctor had left
Only Jean was there. standing by the
table at which Haslem had been sit
ting. There was a broken glass upon
the floor, the tablecloth seemed to have
been dragged sideways. Jean himself
was swiftly setting things to rights
He started and turned round as he
heard footsteps. His face was sud
denly almost ghastly. He clutched at
the table and stared at them.
Where is the man who was sitting
at that table," Brooke demanded.
He has left, monsieur" Jean falt-
cred, "hve minutes ago He had had
too much to drink"
Brooke glanced toward the other
vacant table.
And the DOCTOR" he asked
He left at g o'clock, as usual. sir"
Jean answered He never varies his
time. He has patients to receive"
For one second Brooke hesitated His
first impulse was to plunge down into
the cellar Then Constance seized him
by the arm.
Quick" she almost sobbed into his
ear Quick
She tore up the stairs and they fol-
lowed her She flashed through the res
taurant, through the swing doors, out
into the street and turned sharply down
the narrow thoroaghfare past the left
hand side OF the building.
Brooke and Simmons were only a
few yards behind. At the end of the
restaurant premises stood a narrow
house, on the door of which was a
brass plate. Outside IN the street an
ambulance was standing.
Constance leaned with her finger
upon the bell The man looked over
from the box seat of the ambulance. He
was half frightened, half angry.
Don't do that" he cried. There's
some one i'll inside"
They took no notice of him They
heard footsteps in the hall. The door
was cautiously opened by a woman
dressed like a hospital nurse They
broke past her and Brooke threw open
the door OF the room on the left.
Haslem was there, unconscious.
breathing heavily, stretched out on
what seemed to be an Operating table
The little doctor with the gold spec
tacles, dressed now in a long linen
enock, turned and faced them. Out
side, they could hear the ambulance
galloping away.
Drop that knife" Brooke shouted,
"or, by heaven, I'll wiring your neck ]"
The knife slipped from the mans
fingers. For a moment there was
silence. A draft was blowing through
the room. Brooke glanced away for a
single second; a door in the wall stood
a little ajar.
Take that fellow. Simmons" Brooke
ordered. I'VE must get a doctor at
once"
The little man with the gold glasses
oeamed upon them.
My friends from the Cafe Hol-
andeT be remarked. After all. then,
he young lady has wits. Pardon"
His fingers flashed from his waist
coat pocket to his mouth. He waved
Brooke away as he sank into an easy
hair
Quite unnecessary" he murmured.
I shall be dead within ive minutes;
Another martyr to the cause OF sciencel
never could resist these little affairs.
One learned so much"
Mr.. Haslem was able, after all, to.
give his evidence at the Cannon Street
Hotel on the following day, but would
oe lunchers at the Cafe Hollande were
iisappointed The doors OF the res