The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1915-05-20

Will Will Oil IA Va Didlh ooSohibh
ment. The inspector was a little en-
barrassed.
mo need to give me away like that"
he muttered, as they reached the hall
"Now then, ladies and gentlemen. Il
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 uneasiness. When they drew
up at last outside the house he gave
q little exclamation. His face was
grave, almost haggard.
"Mr. Quest" he said, Inspector
French, l deeply regret that l have
a statement to make"
They both turned quickly toward
him. The inspector smiled In a con-
fidential I'M at Laura. 1t was
obvious that he knew what was COM
ing.
Some years ago." the professor
continued. II bought this house and
made a present of II to"
ITO whom?" Quest asked quickly.
ITO my servant Craig" the profess
sor admitted with a sroan.
Lenora gave a little cry. She turned
irfumphantly towards the inspector.
"All recollection as to its locality
had escaped me-" the professor con-
tinued sorrowfully. 81 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 a house agent to send
me in a list Of suitable residences.
This, alas! was the II l purchased"
Quest glanced around the place.
II think" he said, that the profess
sor's statement now 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, II have had
half a dozen of my best men in the
vicinity. ! a assure you that no
one has entered or left 1t 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 skylight
IN the room which Lenora had occu-
pied. and the bed upon which she had
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
or the corner of his eye to be sure
that Laura was there, '1et me show
you what l have just discovered"
He felt with his thumb for a spring.
In a moment or two a portion of the
wall, about two feet in extent, slowly
revolved. disclosing a small cup
board fitted with a telephone instru-
ment.
"A telephone" the inspector re-
marked, pointing to 1t, Gin 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
and called up the exchange.
Inspector French speaking" he
announced. Kindly tell me what is
the number OF the telephone from
which am speaking. and who Is the
subscribers"
He listened to the reply and asked
another question.
Can you tell me when this instru.
was last used? Whenf
Thank you!"
The inspector hung up the receiver.
"The subscribers name," he told
hem dryly. SIS Brown. The number
not entered in the book, by re-
quest. The telephone was used an
hour ago from a call ONCE and con
was established. That is to
ray. that someone spoke from this
Then II your men have maintained
heir search properly, that someone"
Quest said slowly. must be in the
house at the present moment"
without Q doubt" the inspector
II am going to search the front
'oom on the first floor before we do
anything else." said Quest. II think
hat II you wait here I may be able 20
'how you something directly"
Quest ascended the stairs and g
erred q wholly unfurnished room on
he ieft-hand side. He looked for q
minute contemplatively at q large but
'ather shallow cupboard. the door of
which stood open, and tapped lightly
With his foreflnger upon the back part
" It. Then he withdrew q few feet
ind. drawing out his revolver, DELHI
fred into the floor. 4 few
inches inside. There was q half |
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