The Waxahachie daily light. [volume] (Waxahachie, Tex.) 1894-current, 1915-06-12

nora, the Inspector here's setting I'D
as Judge of millinery"
Lenora turned and looked at them
uoth With an air of blank astonish.
nent, The inspector was little EN-.
tarrassed
No need to give he away like that"
he muttered, as they reached the hall.
Now then, ladies and gentlemen, II
yoD are ready"
hey took their places in the au
toMooiie and drove of. As they
heared the vicinity OF Gayson avenue
the professor began to show signs Of
renewed uneasjness When they drew
up at last outside the house he gave
a little exclamation. His face was
grave, almost haggard.
Mr.. Quest he said INSPECTOR
French, deeply regret that l have
statement to make"
They both turned quickly toward
hin. The inspector smiled In a con-
ndential 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 present OF it to"
To Hhom?" Quest asked quickly.
To my servant Craig" the profess
sor admitted with a groan.
Lenora gave little cry. She turned
trlumphantlv towards the inspector.
All recollection as to its locality
had escaped me" the professor con-
tinued sorrowfully. Il remember thai
It was on the anniversary Of his hay
Ing been with me for some fifteen
years that l decided to show him
some substantial mark Of my appre-
citation. I knew that he was looking
for 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, vas the one purchased"
Quest glanced around the place
I think he said, that the profess
sor's statement now removes any
doubt as to Craigs guilt. You are
sure the house has been closely
watched Inspector"
Since received certain info>ma.
tion.'' French replied. Il have had
half dozen OF my best men in the
vicinity, l 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 aud 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 l have just discovered"
He felt with his thumb for spring.
In moment or two portion OF the
wall, about two feet in extent, slowly
revolved. disclosing a small Gun
board fitted with a telephone instrl-
ment.
"A telephone" the inspector re-
marked, pointing to II, in 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 its
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.
Can you tell me when this instru-
ment was last usedo 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 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
Il am going to search the front
room on the first floor before We do
anything else" said Quest. Il think
that IL you wait here l may be able 20
show you something directly"
Quest assembled the stairs and en-
tered wholly unfinished room on
tie left-hand side. He looked for a
minute contemplativeiy at large but