The Washington herald., 1914-12-27
- BY
T. w. Hanshew


the curtains drawn or the door opened,
and doing nothing put crouch there and
noid his head between his hands. There.
thats the case, Mr.. C1eek; but I wouldn't
nave come and bothered you with II.
now that We have got him back, only
that said I would, for II can't interest
you now that we have found him
TO the contrary interrupted cleek.
II interests me more than ever; have
my own little ideas and suspicious re-
garding II, so IL you don't mind
Huloa. here's Dollops back again. Well.
my lad. what news?''
NO train for three hours vet, gunner;
so l hoped II round to a garage. like
you told me. sir. and there's a motor
and shower a-waitin' at the door"
Wei done, Mercury said Clee< with
a laugh as he whisked OF his dressing
gown and reached for a coat NOW
then, finish UP your packing, nv lad,
and pass me set OF handouts from that
bag on the chair"
Where to. sir?" questioned the chauf-
feur outside.
First Of all to the house Of a Justice
OF the peace at Rugby. and as fast as
you can make it, said Cleek. After
that, Mr.. Spencer will direct you. Now
let her go,''
The chauffeur did let her co. and in
another minute they were whizzing
away through the night and showing
Liverpool as clean a pair Of heels as the
law allows.
The run to Rugby was made in almost
record time: and after stopping at the
house Of the justice Of the peace and re-
naming closeted with that gentleman
for period of ten or a dozen minutes.
Cleek came out, rejoined Arthur Spen-
n Fha II
the direction which that young man IndI-
Gated, and which led to the lonely house.
the two anxious watchers, and the door,
stricken. desolated old man.
Night had shut in-moist. warm. star
flled-whsn they reached il, and he had
his first sight OF the two other members
Of the Spencer household.
Get candle, Mr.. Spencer. and let US
go in and see how the poor old chap is
he said to Jack.
They went to the room together
Cleek's heart gave one big throb Of pity
and sympathy as he caught sight Of the
old fellow-sitting, as he had seen other
poor old fellows sit in the incurable
wards of lunatic asylums, as dead to
life and the world as il the coffin lid
were shut over them.
Poor old chap" he said sympatheti-
heap of pinkish scraps lying on the
floor, half out and half under the little
white bedstead-he turned and looked
al! round the room. took the light from
Jacks hand, and moved with a tender
sort of step toward the imbecile. Then
he stopped and softly patted the bowed
head and called him by name. But
neither the name Of John Scarlet nor
the name OF James Redd evoked any re-
sponse, nor did the touch of that pattinE
hand produce any movement
"Ah dear! He's got to the last ditch,
I'm afraid. Mr.. Spencer" he said as he
walked back to the two brothers and re-
turned the candle to Jack. IF could
get a word from him-just one! But it's
useless. you see. The sense of feeling
seems to have gone with the others. and
Il beg pardon, but isn't that your sister
calling?" he added, suddenly, glancing
round at Arthur Spencer and giving him
a meaning glance. for Miss Spencer was
calling-calling eXcitedly:
Arthur! Arthur! Come down qIuicSIy,
pIease!" and the words were distinctly
audible. Go and see what she wants"
Cleek added.
Young Spencer wheeled round. shaking
with agitation. flashed out OF the room
was gone but a minute, and then flashed
back again. pale as a dead man.
''weTl?'' inquired Cleek-Just that one
single ''wen?'
.'Yesr' said Arthur Spencer in a voice
that was little more than a gasp. Yes,
Yes! Yes! My heaven! are you a wiz
ard?"
But Cleek seemed not to hear. He had
gone back to the dropping. silent figure.
and was bending sympathetically over it,
Poor old chap" he said. Poor. poor
old chap" Then stopped lower, moved
swiftly. and added in an altered tone as
he clicked the handouts shut: Got you,
you beast of ingratitude, Get up. Sir
Harmon Blench, on with your wig. OF
with your beard, you sneaking cur.
We've got your lodgekeeper. we've got
poor old James Redd's hiding place, and
the law wants you"
The huddled figure started upright
with a shrek. the wigless head and
beardless face flashed round quickly, the
wild eyes caught sight Of a blue-coated
and helmeted shape entering the room.
and, like something lightning smitten.
the shaking body collapsed and went
down in a heap at Cleek's feet.
Painted" commented he. They're a
weak-nerved lot these creeping snakes
when you drive them to the wall. Well.
constable, you found him where / fan
cied you would?"
Yes. sir. in a top room OF the IodE"
tied hand and foot, sir, and gag in
his mouth"
"Dead?''
mo, sir; but a ribberins idiot. Hen
never know another thing. the doctor
says. until he dies. And the day for that
can't be very far on
And idiots being dead in the eyes Of
the law, their heirs succeed" said Cleek,
and walked across the room to where
the shreds of pinkish stun lay, looked
up the wall. and smiled. You are right
Mr.. Spencer-a bad piece of workman
ship this" he addsd, reaching up and
tapping the wrinkled paper; but it was
hardly so bad as this in the beginning
Loose, you see-lOose, and quite ready
for the moment of flight. Old James
Redd had his method, you see, gentle
men, as madmen always do. Do you
want to know why he papered the room
himself? Do you want to know why he
wanted parchment and indelible ink?
And. last Of ALL do you want to know
why that hound lying there trapped the
poor old chap. held him prisoner, and
making himself up like the man he had
robbed and cheated in the first place.
came here to rob and cheat his heirs,
too? II you do, then look
With that he plucked at the end Of the
loose section of wallpaper. stripped It
away, and there on the barred plaster be-
hind, a square of parchment stared back
at the Spencers' staring eyes.
The missing formula of the fadeless
tints, gentlemen" said Cleek, stuck to
the wall, you see, and the pink paper
pasted loosely over it, A madman's
III 20 la ma n ms yTn