The Green Forest tribune., 1915-05-21

both with an air of blank astonish ment. The inspector was a little em- barrassed.
 No need to give me away like that" ne muttered, as they reached the hall. Now then, ladies and gentlemen, if you are ready
 They took their places in the au- tomobile and drove off As they neared the vicinity of Gayson avenue the professor began to show signs of renewed uneasiness. When they drew up at last outside the house he gave a little exclamation His face was grave, almost haggard.
 MT. Quest" he said, Inspector French, 1 deeply regret that I have statement to make"
 They both turned quickly toward him. The inspector smiled in a con- f1dential manner at Laura It was obvious that he knew what was com- ing.
 Some years ago." the professor continued, T bought this house and made present of it to-
 ITO whom?" Quest asked quickly.
 To my servant Craig" the profess sor admitted with a groan
 Lenora gave little cry. She turned triumphantly towards the inspector.
 All recollection as to it's locality had escaped me- the professor con- tinued sorrowfully. q remember that 1t was on the anniversary of his hay ing been with me for some fifteen years that I decided to show him some substantial mark of my appre- citation. I knew that he was looking for a domicile for his father and mother, who are since both dead, and requested a house agent to send me in a list of suitable residences. This, alas! was the one purchased"
 Quest glanced around the place.
 q think,' he said, that the profess sor's statement now removes any doubt as to Craig's guilt You are sure the house has been closely watched, inspector"
 Since I received certain informa- tion," French replied, q have had half a dozen of my best men in the vicinity. I can assure you that no one has entered or left it during the last twentyfour hours"
 They made their way to the piazza steps and entered by the front door. The house was an ordinary frame work one of moderate size, in poor re- pair, and showing signs of great neg lect. The rooms were barely fur nished and their first cursory search revealed no traces of habitation There was still the broken skylight in the room which Lenora had occu- pied, and the bed upon which she had slept was still crumpled French, who had been tapping the walls down. stairs, called to them. They trooped down into the hall The inspector was standing before what appeared to be an ordinary panel
 Look here" he said, glancing out of the corner of his eye to be sure that Laura was there, 'let me show you what I have just discovered
 He felt with his thumb for spring. In a moment or two a portion of the wall, about two feet in extent, slowly revolved, disclosing small cup board fitted with telephone instru- ment.
 "A telephone" the inspector re- marked, pointing to it, Gin an unoccu- pied house and a concealed cup board. What do you think of that?"
 The professor shook his head
 Don't ask me-" he groaned.
 French took the receiver from it's rest and called up the exchange.
 Inspector French speaking" he announced. Kindly tell me what is the number of the telephone from which I am speaking, and who is the subscriber?"
 He listened to the reply and asked another question.
 Gan you tell me when this instru- ment was last used? When? -. Thank you!"
 The inspector hung up the receiver.
 'SThe subscribers name," he told them dryly, 'is Brown. The number IS uUt cHtoTeu III CHo DOCK, Dy re- quest. The telephone was used an hour ago from a call office and con- nection was established. That is to say, that someone spoke from this telephone"
 Then if your men have maintained their search properly, that someone" :" Quest said slowly, must be in the house at the present moment"
 Without doubt,' the inspector agreed.
 'I am going to search the front room on the first floor before we do anything else." said Quest. 'I think that if you wait here may be able 70 show you something directly"
 Quest ascended the stairs and en- tered wholly unfurnished room on the left-hand side He looked for a minute contemplatively at large but rather shallow cupboard, the door of which stood open, and tapped lightly with his forefinger upon the back part of it. Then he withdrew a few feet and, drawing out his revolver, delib- erately fired into the floor, a few inches inside. There was a half ho Fol- a1r