Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-01-29

mol don't. I've got a share In the
syndicate, but I'll sell it to you"
"How much?"
Twenty quid down-and you can make
whatever use you like of my notes."
The inspector slowly rehlled his pipe.
Then he laughed.
"If 1 had the money to spare" he
said. I'D do a deal. VIII you take
temp"
Before Mr.. Murray could decide
whether a certain 10 pounds was better
than a very unlike 10000 the door of the
room opened and Russel's wife entered
the room. She was a stout, pleasant
faced woman Of about 40.
mi. Erlelgh from the school has called
to sec you, Bert" she said. Fl came
up to the door just as I did, and 1 let
him in"
you don't say SO, Mary" said the
inspector. This is my friend, Mr.. Muir
81 do she said. How are you, Mr..
Murray"
Quite well, thank you. No need to
ask how you are. Mrs. Russell. You've
got a kind husband, haven't you-don't
give you anything to worry about-Mr.
"In the best parlor, Mr.. Murray. Where
else should I show a gentleman
"Fire in there?' queried Russell.
mo, of course not"
"Well, then he'd better come in here.
Mr.. Murray is going to stay the night
with us. We'd like one of your excel
lent suppers later on. You might be
seeing to it while we have a chat with
Mr.. Erleigh."
He made his way into the next room.
Good evening, Sir" he said. Glad
to see you. Come into the next room,
will you? Mr.. Murray is here. II you'd
rather not talk before him, he can go
and sit in the kitchen"
II want to see you hoth,' said ErleiGh
with a smile. I'm fact, I was going up
TO London to SEQ Mr.. Murray. His being
here will save me both time and money"
Come along then, sir. 1 know you
won't mind taking us Just as We are.
We are having a pipe and a glass over
the fire"
Erleigh laughed, and followed the in
spector into the back room. Murray rose
from his chair and shook hands.
ITS no good offering you a drink, sir"
said Russell, but 1 have one or two
very decent cigars"
Thanks, Mr.. Russell: I'll smoke my
pipe, il I may-no, my own tobacco,
thank you. I've smoked the same brand
for 20 years"
you're like me. SIR" said RUSSELL;
don't like any change. Murray, give
Mr.. Erleigh your chair. It's the most
comfortable and nearest the fire."
mo, thank you." said Erleigh. "Please
don't move. I'd rather not be so near
the fire." and he seated himself on a
plain wooden chair with his back to the
lamp that stood on the table. Then he
hlled his pipe and lit 1t.
mo news, Mr.. Murray" he said.
"None, sir-nOne at all. I'm afraid
that money will never be earned. I hear.
sir. that you are going TO be married
very soon. May / be allowed TO wish
you all health and happiness?"
THANK you, Mr.. Murrayi very kind
OF you. I'm sure I shall be happy"
For a few moments there was silence.
The detective. rising from his chair to
put some more soda water in his glass,
looked for a few seconds at the pronle
of John Erleigh's face, looked at him a
little harder than he could have done II
the headmaster a known he was being
stared at.
"a lady much respected in these parts,
sir,' said Mr.. Russell after a pause. "and
had more than her share of sorrow. I
am sure we all wish her every happl-
ness"
The detective reseated himself in his
chair by the fire. g
when is the wedding to be. SiF?" he
"on July 80, Mr.. Murray-ths last day
Of term. The boys would like TO be
there, n I'd like TO have them; and I
and my wife will be able 20 get away for
the whole Of the holidays. Now. III tell
you why l ave come round here to-
night. In a way, it's got something to
do with my wedding"
Mr.. Murray raised his eyebrows and
smiled. Russell said, The police ar
rangsments, sir2 OF course, thersu be
a tremendous crowd; ana then the pres
ents. You'd like a man told on guard
the presents"
yes, Inspector; III come and sss you
about that later on. The matter I've
come about today is-Well, it's rather a
delicate subject 70 tackle. 1 wouldn't
tackle Il at all II / didn't think that you
both are thorough good chaps and are
kindly disposed toward me"
He paused and looked Al the v men.
! Hurray nodded ana smiled. AZ. Russell