Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-02-12

/ as there were no names stamped on them'
They were made for a firm In Glasgow
and we have been through their books for
the last ten years"
He opened the bag, took out four new
pipes and laid them on the table. Then he
placed two others beside them-the two
that were old. with stems bitten away on
the left-hand side.
Have a look at these, my lord" said
the detective Lord Wimberley picked up
one pipe after another and examined it.
"Well," he said, docs this bring us any
nearer to the mark2"
Yes, my lord. Your cousin, Herbert
Meriet, purchased those two pipes"
Lord Wimberley gave low whistle.
! Then he laughed
How did you find that out?" he quer-
led. IF went into shop and purchased
EXCUSE me. my lord, Mr.. Meriet was
regular customer at this particular shop.
Until recently he had an account there.
He owes them money. He never bought
any other kind OF pipe"
"Yes, but where is Herbert Meriet?"
"Ah, that we have got to find out, my
lord. We know that he was close to
this house not so very long ago."
"And your men have found out moth
ing?"
Nothing as yet, my lord. In fact. it
is quite certain that Mr.. Meriet is not in
the neighborhood"
"But you have only just discovered that
he was the man we wanted?"
THAT is so, my lord but we have been
looking out for good many people, and
your two cousins among them"
Lord Wimberley pointed to chair by
the fire.
"sit down, Murray" he said. land have
drink and a smoke. I'll send you into
Harptree little later on"
THANK you, my lord"
"Well, help yourself"
Murray mixed himself whisky and
soda and lit cigar, which he took from
an open box on the table.
80 that fellow Vertigan is dead?" said
Lord Wimberley when the detective had
seated himself,
yes, my lord A pity. in a way. for I
can't help thinking that he's at the bot
by, my lord, there was something I
wished to speak to you about"
What was tnatr'
'"rhls man Vertigan and her ladyship.
When Vertigan went to Nice It was only
what I expected. and I told the French
police to keep an eye on him"
II was very much afraid he was going
to annoy her ladyship."
I'm what way?'
"Blackmail. my lord. I'm afraid that
Vertlgan had some hold over Mr.. Err
lGlBfls ana tlAt-you won't DC oHenueu IL
I speak quite plainly, my lord2"
"Noi please go on"
Well, I'm AFRAID, my lord. that her
ladyship found out that Vsrtigan had q
hold over Mr.. Erieigh, and that she
jumped to the conclusion that Mr.. Err
leigh had been forced TO take Vertigan
on as science master at the school"
"Oh. nonsenseF'
''Well. 1t may be. my lord have no
wish to pry into the affair Anyhow Du-
bOis. the French detective. found out
that her ladyship had been paying Verti-
gan large sums Of monsy-many thou
sands OF pounds. Il was no affair OF his.
and there the matter came 10 an end. 1t
doesn't concern Us. but / thought your
lordship ought TO know"
Have you told any ons elss3"
''No. my lord"
well. keep II to yourself My sister
in-law has had quite enough trouble.
and"
The door opened ana the footmHn en-
tered the room with large card upon =
silver saiyer.
Lord Wimberlsy picked up the card ana
read the name OF "senor Don Roderigo
Lopez"
"Wnl you excuse me for a few min
utesY7 sald Lord Wimberlsy. turning 70
the detective.
''Certalaly. my lord"
Wimnerley leff the room. SHOW this
gentleman lpto ne Naiie drawinerQem.