Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-01-29
CHAPTER XVI.
TT7HAT about that GlO.OOO?" queried
w Inspector Russell. ANY nearer 20

it,
Mr.. Murray shrugged his shoulders.
INC nearer than when I last saw you
he replied. 'but a good deal nearer than
we were a year ago. I hoped you'd have
some news for me"
News? You might as well expect news
from a rabbit in a cage. What can a
man do down here-tied to his work."
"welI, you're on the spot. anyway
Russell. I'd rather work from this end
han the other"
The inspector filled his pip and lit IT,
"sit down." he said, and have a drink.
I'm glad to see you, but sorry you
haven't brought any news. Why have
you come down to Harptree?"
"Oh, I have another job n few miles
away from here. and I thought I'd stay
the night. Yes, 1 don't mind if I do have
n drink-and perhaps a bit of food later
on. Well, you've found out nothing about
the fellow who fired at Lord Arthur
Lord Wimberley 1 should call him-that
night?"
Nothing at all. In regard to that
matter things stand exactly where they
were. No one heard the shot, and though
VIC IOunQ the uu4ltlB ant - was
as having been fired out of a Mauser
rifle, We can't trace any weapon OF this
sort. The only rifles in this part of the
world belong to the School Cadet Corps,
and they're out OF observation-disclosures
AFFAIRS. But all this is ancient history"
Never mind. Russell. said Murray
helping himself to a drink. Wen just
run over all the facts and refresh our
memories. Go on"
"Well, as you know. nothing-from this
end-has been brought home TO Vertigan,
and we've agreed that Vertlgan is out
OF 1t, n hat the real clue Is 10 be
found in London, where Herbert Meriet,
the next heir TO the title, is living"
"Well, that Is our present theory, based
as you know, on the fact that an at
tempt was made on Lord Arthur's life
after dick Merlet's death. But Herbert
Msriet appears TO be a singularly unin-
terestlng person. He was in London
the night the shot was fired at Lord
Arthur. OF course, he may a paid
II Is likely. as he hasn't got a penny"
you've had him watched, 1 suppose?"
eyes, M they're grumbling about 1t
at headquarters. Lord Kimberley will
have TO fork out some money II we're
going on. You see, Russell, this is rather
a fancy business Just now. Scotland
Yard has pretty well found out all II
wants 10 know. Doctor Anderson Is
dead, and we know now that Doctor An
derson got the boy away from Harptree.
We know, too, that somehow or other
Dick Merist got the boy away from An
derson and worked his little yacht round
to h Mediterranean. Dick Meriet Is
dead, and though 1t would be interesting
to know a good deal more, the law has
nothing much 10 gain by Il. or course,
there's the shot fired at his lOrdship.
That was a serious Onense. but 40 dam
age was done. 1t happened more than a
year ago, and we don't worry about that
sort Of thing for very long"
"In short" said Russell, SITS only h
prospect OF $1,000. or rather $1,000 q
head, that keeps you going at all"
That's about H. my friend. I'd like
to have some more time 10 devote 20 the
Job. but / get precious little, and unless
/ retire from the force ] don't see how
Pm going TO get any al all IN future
do you expect me 20 earn the money
and then divide Il with you4"