Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1915-03-27
BY Howard y. hockey
Copyright 1914 Howard y. Rocky

/ right
ayes" said Harcourt.
"Do you want TO tell me that rea-
SOM"
"No. | was wrong"
"You suspected someone?"
Il had an idea-a mere notion.
wanted to be sure"
"And now you are sure"
Not alt6gether-bu | am almost
convinced that my suspicion was a
mistake" Half way down the stairs
they encountered Inspector MacBee.
"Ah, Lord Harcourt," he said pleas
antly, 81 was just looking for you"
Il am entirely at your service" said
Harcourt. pausing beside the detec-
tive.
Il was also on my way to look at
the smoke room where-the affair of
/ last night occurred. was wondering
if it would interest you 70 accompany
me-"
Harcourt was conscious Of the keen
scrutiny Of the Inspector He thought,
too, that he understood the mans pur-
pose. He. had Heard of the famous
Third degree through which pris-
oners are often put by the police, and
he was firmly convinced that MacBee
hoped that he might betray some sign
Of guilt if brought to the scene Of
the crime.
Certainly, | will go, Harcourt con-
scented quickly. His tone betrayed
none of the repugnance he felt at en-
tcring the room, nor did his manner
betay the slightest hesitation. Il
assume that you have no objection to
Major Marston's accompanying US"
None whatever" said MacBee Il
shall be glad to have him. often an
cid soldier sees things that escape
even US Scotland Yard men"
Turning, they passed back to the
smoke room, and MacBee unlocked
the door, standing aside for them to
pass.
The place was in the same disorder
in which it had been discovered when
the body Was found. The chairs were
placed just as they had been, the. car
pet was marked with ashes here and
there, and the trays on the table were
full of burnt-out cigars and cigar
cites.
Without being directed to it, Har-
court and Marston at once glanced at
the big chair by the table where the
body had been found. Against the
dark leather Of the seat was a great
stain Of darker hue, mute evidence of
the gruesome object that had last oc-
cupied it.
II have made most thorough ex-
animation" MacBee said, as he closed
the door behind them. "As far as /
have been able to discover, there is
not the slightest clue remaining
ingerprints, no lost belongings-noth-
ing. Frankly, it is the most perplex-
'ng situation I have ever faced"
You have arrived at no concm-
sion?' Major Marston asked
None. ! was wondering, Lord Har-
court, if YOU could recall anything
that took place in this room immed-
ately before you left it."
Nothing said Harcourt. in low
voice.
Sometimes the return to a scene of
this sort suggests things that had
slipped the memory--that remain in
thc mind even though the brain was
not conscious of those Impressions at
the time they were absorbed" Mac
Bee looked iixedly at Harcourt as he
spoke, but his steady gaze was unrc-
warded..
1t is all blank to me-" Harcourt
went on. Il could not tell you a single
thing that happened after the close of
the dinner to save my life" He
paused aud smiled as the suggestion
Of his words dawned upon him. Nor
/ am l forgetting for the same pur-
pose" he added lightly.
II am convinced Of that, my lord, .
said MacBee.
Then the detective began walking
aHout the room, apparently looking
carefully here and there, but in reality
watching Harcourt closely. Once he
topped and glanced up. quickly as
Harcourt leaned over the table and
gazed curiouSly into an ash tray
Curious monographs some Of these
chaps have on their cigarettes" Har-
court observed as he picked up and
examined a half consumed paper Of
tobacco. Then he carelessly tossed
he thing into the fireplace and moved
away, not even MacBee suspecting the
shock the finding of that monogram
med cigarette had given him.
II. II