The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1914-05-26


the man had been poisoned.
Before starting out that morn
Ing to have a little chat with my
friend Mr.. Seagrave. | summoned
the parlor maid and gave her in
structions that IL Billy Logan
rang up or called, she was to tell
him that he would find me at
home any time that afternoon.
The moment l entered Mr.. Sea-
graves office he fell upon me
with apologies.
The fact is we heard from Sir
Henry Tregattock this morning
completely repudiating any
knowledge OF Francis" he
whined. II had written to him
overnight. asking him to confirm
the character. and In reply he
stated that he had no idea what
was alluding to. He had never
had servant OF that name. It's
amazing, but there can be no
doubt that someone else answer
ed the telephone In Sir Henry's
name. Still II there have been
no unfortunate developments"
l laughed in rather nasty
fashion. Unfortunate develop
ments!" repeated. Are you
aware, Mr., Seagrave. that the man
you sent me yesterday did his
best to murder me? But object
to publicity In a case like this.
l don't want a lot of Internal po-
licemen tramping all over my
house."
To say that Mr.. Seagrave col
lapsed would be an altogether IN
Adequate expression.
| All that afternoon I waited at
home, in hopes of hearing from
Billy. By six o'clock, however,
no message had arrived; and.
feeling rather worried, l strolled
downstairs to see how Milford
was getting on. | found him
reading the Daily Telegraph.
What | can't make out, Mil.
ford" said, rs how you man
aged to upset Yourself"
| He was silent a minute. 81
tban't help thinking. SIR" he re.
piled slowly that II must have
been that glass of beer I had al
the Granville. can't help hav.
ling an idea that the man | was
speaking to may have put some.
thing in 1t when l wasn't look.
| Ing"
! THE MANI" said. what
MANI"
I 1T was a chap in the bar, sir
A big foreign-looking fellow he
was. He started talking to me
when / came in, though, as far
4 as | know, I'd never set eyes or
him before. He was q big, black
haired fellow, with one shoulder
a little higher than the other"
| A tap at the door interrupted
| Milford, and the parlor-maid en-.
tered.
If you please, Sill" she said
"Mr. Simpson is here"
1t was an embarrassing mo.
ment, as of course | hadn't the
faintest notion who Mr.. Simpson
might be; but Milford came to
my rescue.
II sent him message to come
around, sir. You said you might
be motoring down to Woodford
tomorrow II it was fine, so | told
him he'd better look in and see
whether you wanted the car"
This was news indeed. Up till
that moment | had no idea that !
belonged to the noble army of car
owners.
| / went upstairs and found Mr..
Simpson in the hall.
"Will you be wanting me, slr?"
he asked.
NO." ! said, 81 shan't want
you, Simpson. l shall drive my
self. Have the car around here
at 1890"
He touched his forehead re-
specially, and withdrew.
/ went upstairs, and began In q
leisurely manner to array myself
for Lord Sangatte's party, an en-
gagement I had found scheduled
in the notebook Northcote had
given me.
/ left the house at half-past
ten, summoned a taxi, and or
dered the man to drive me to Bel
grave Square.
Sangatte's house proved to be
6 big mansion. 1 entered and
was relieved of my hat and coat.
At last | reached the landing.
where a solemn-looking butler
evidently recognized me.
"Mr. Stuart Northcote." he an
nonuced In a magnificent voice.
| Lord Sangatte, who was well
coming each guest in turn, stepped
forward on hearing my name. He
was a tall, well-built man of about
forty-five. took vigorous dis
like to him Immediately.
I'm glad you've turned up,
Northcote," he whispered, shak-