The Holly chieftain., 1914-02-20
THE TERROR
IN The SNOW
(Continued.)

luH- he ndu ICuPnt nara LOT lie, ndu
rolled and struggled with his enemy.
There were four or five punctured
wounds in his throat and neck, from
which he had bled profusely. And
now for the thing that killed him
whatever it was. It could not have
fed down the cliff path. for the boats
crew waiting below had heard the
screams. and had come running up by
that way. They were with him when
we arrived. and assured me they had
seen nothing. 1t could not have turn
ed to the right or left, for, though the
paths had been swept clean-doubt-
less by the baron's orders. for he
would not desire his way of escape
to be easily traced-the snow on
either side lay in unbroken levels. It
could only have retired by the yew
avenue, and it did not break through
the hedge. That again, the snow
proved clearly. So we may take 1t,
that whatever the thing may have
been which you saw--it killed Baron
Steen; further. it escaped into the
house-this. you will remember, we
decided in the garden. Let US imag-
inc 1t was man-that you were de-
ceived by the uncertain, light. His
clothes must of necessity have been
drenched in blood. He could not
have struggled so fiercely with his
victim and escaped those fatal signs.
Yet. he cannot have burned his
clothes, for the fires are downstairs
where people were passing. Nor can
he have washed them, for neither the
bath rooms nor the bedroom basins
have been recently used. I have
spent some time in searching boxes
and Hardrobes with no result. Strang
er still, as far as my limited informa-
tion goes. every one in the house can
prove an alibi-save two"
And who are they?" Il asked
eagerly.
MIR. Henderson. the baron's valet
and yourself"
Inspector Peace" I began an
griy.
Tut. tut, my dear Mr.. Phillips.
was merely stating the facts. Mr..
Hendersons case, however. presents
an interesting feature. for he has run
away
Run away" l said Then that
settles it."
Not altogether, I'm afraid I think
it is more a matter of theft than muir
der with Mr.. Henderson"
stared at him in silence as he sat
there. with his little hands clasped
upon his lap, picture of irritating
composure
Peace" I said, struggling to CON
troll my voice. what are you hiding
from me? 1t is something inhuman.
unnatural that has done this dreadful
thing"
The little detective stretched him.
self. yawned. and then rose to his
feet.
"a have no opinion except that I
think you had better go to bed Don't
lock your door, for l may find time
for an hours sleep on your sofa be-
fore morning"
The news was out after breakfast
the news that led to mild Mysteries
and scurrying of lady's-maids to the
packing of boxes. and the chastened
sorrow of those gentlemen who owed
the baron money. Through all the
turmoil Of the morning moved the lit.
tie detective. the most sympathetic
Of men. 1t was he who apologized SO
humbly for the locked doors of the
bathrooms, he who superlntended
the lighting of fires, and the making
of the beds. and the packing Of
trunks for the station so closely mat
the housemaids were convinced that
he entertained secret passion for
each one of them: 1t was he who an
nounced Henderson's robbery Of the
gold plate. following it by informa-
ton as to the culprit's arrest The
establishment had by this time be-
come convinced that Henderson was
the murderer, and breathed relief at
the news
They had brought the body OF Baron
Steen to the house early in the morn
ing-it had been laid in the garden
pavilion on its first discovery.
With death in so strange form
present among US. was disgusted by
the noise and hustle, the gossip and
chatter amongst the guests OF the
dead man. l wandered of In search
of the one person who had seemed
sincerely affected by the news, the
young secretary. Maurice Terry. He
was nowhere to be found A servant