The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1915-08-13

as a judge of millinery
Lenora turned and looked at them
both with an air OF blank astonish-
ment. The inspector was little en-
barrassed
mo need to give me away like that"
he 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
little exclamation His face was
grave, almost haggard.
Mr. Quest" he said, Inspector
French, ! deeply regret that have
a 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.
"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 its locality
had escaped me-" the professor CON
tinued sorrowfully 81 remember that
it 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 domicile for his father and
mother, who are since both dead,
and requested a house agent to send
me in 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 received certain informa-
tion," French replied, Il have had
half dozen of my best men in the
vicinity. / can assure you that no
one has entered or left it 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 skyligh
in the room which Lenora had occu
pied, and the bed upon which she haC
slept was still crumpled. French
who had been tapping the walls down
stairs, called to them. They troopei
down into the hall. The inspecto
was standing before what appeared t
be an ordinary panel
Look here he said, glancing GU
of the corner of his eye to be- sur
that Laura was there. "let me shos
4 you what have Just discovered" S
He felt with his thumb for a spring
In moment or two a portion of tn
wall, about two feet in extent, slowl
revolved, disclosing a small cur
board fitted with telephone instru
ment.
"A telephone" the inspector re
marked, pointing to it, 'in an unoccu
pied house and a concealed cur
board. What do you think of that T?
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" h
! announced. Kindly tell me what i
the number of the telephone fror
which l am speaking, and who is tn
subscriber"
He listened to the reply and aske
another question.
Can you tell me when this instrr
ment was last used? When
Thank you,"
The inspector hung up the receiver
'The subscribers name" he toll
them dryly, is Brown. The numbe
quest The telephone was used a
hour ago from call Office and cor
nection was established That is t
say, that someone spoke from thi
telephone"
Then if your men have maintaine
their search properly, that someone
Quest said slowly, must be in tn
house at the present moment"
Without doubt" the inspectc
agreed.
Il am going to search the fror
room on the first floor before we d
anything else" said Quest. Il thin
that If you wait here | may be able ;
show you something directly"
Quest assembled the stairs and e.
tered wholly unfinished room Q
the left-hand side He looked for
minute contemplatively at large bl
rather shallow cupboard. the door
which stood open, and tapped light
with his forefinger upon the back pa
of IL Than ha uyithdroxv O fou 20