Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-05-26

nora, "the Inspector here's setting up
as judge of millinery"
Lenora turned and looked at them
both with an air of blank astonish-
ment The Inspector was a little en-
barrassed.
mo need to give me away like that
he muttered, as they reached the hail.
Now then, ladies' ami gentlemen. If
you are ready"
They took their places in the au-
tomobile and drove of. AS they
neared the vicinity of Gayson avenue
the professor began TO show signs OF
renewed uneasmess. When they drew
up at last outside the house he gave
little exclamation His face was
grave, almost haggard.
mr.. Quest" he said, Inspector
French. / deeply regret that ! have
statement to make"
They both turned quickly toward
him. The inspector smiled in a con-
fidential manner at Laura. 1t was
obvious that he knew what was COM
ing.
Some years ago." the professor
continued. Il bought this house and
made a present of it to
ITO whom?" Quest asked quickly.
ITO my servant Craig" the profess
sor admitted with a g.oan.
Lenora gave little cry She turned
triumphantly towards the inspector.
"AIl recollection as to its locality
had escaped me-" the professor con-
tinued sorrowfllIy. Il remember that
1t was on the anniversary of his hav-
ing been with me for some fifteen
years that / decided to show him
some substantial mark of my appre-
| citation. / knew that he was looking
for a domicile for his father and
mother. who are since both dead,
and / requested house agent to send
me in a list of suitable residences
This, alas! was the one purchased"
Quest glanced around the place
IL 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, Il have had
half a dozen Of my best men in the
vicinity. ! can assure you that no
one has entered or left II during the
last twenty-four 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 skyIight
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, CHANGING out
Of the corner of his eye to be sure
that Laura was there, 'let me show
| gO0 hhdb nave JUST 0lSGOhcI6u.
He felt with his thumb for a spring
In a moment or two portion Of the
wall, about two feet in extent, slowly
revolved, disclosing a small cup
board fitted with telephone instru
i ment.
"A telephone" the inspector re
marked, pointing TO it, sin 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:
rest and called up the exchange.
Inspector French speaking" he
announced. KINDLY tell me what &:
the number of the telephone fron
which / am speaking, and who is the
subscriber"
He listened to the reply and asked
another question.
Can you tell me when this instru
ment was last used? When.
!. Thank you!"
The inspector hung up the receiver
"The subscribers name" he TOLD
them dryly, is Brown. The number
is not entered in the book, by re
quest. The telephone was used an
hour ago from a call Office and con
nection was established. That is tc
say, that someone spoke from this
telephone"
Then IL your men have maintained
their search properly. that someone,
Quest said slowly, must be in the
house at the present moment"
Without a doubt" the inspector
agreed.
81 am going to search the from
room on the first floor before we dC
anything else" said Quest. Il thinl
that If you wait here may be able e
show you something directly"
Quest assembled the stairs and en-
tered wholly unfinished room or
the lefu-hand side. He looked for 6
minute contemplatively at large but
rather shallow cupboard. the door o.
which stood open, and tapped lightly
with his foreflnger upon the back par
OF it. Then he withdrew a few fee
and, drawing out his revolver, delib
erately fired into the floor, a fe~
inches inside. There was a hal
stified cry. The false back suddenly
swung open and a man rushed out
Quests revolver covered him. bIt
| fhara was NO uennesfty for ftQ uqo