The Spectator., 1915-07-30

"Stolen Therc in the Conservatory" An affair so unusual as this might at- tract him. You will excuse mo-"
 The professor met the greSt crimin- ologist and his assistant in the hall upon their arrival. He took the for mer at once by the arm.
 MT Quest" he began, lin sense I must apologize for my peremptory message. I am we'll aware that an or dinary jewel robbery does not inter- est you, but in this case the circum- stances are extraordinary. l ventured, therefore, to summon your aid
 Sanford Quest nodded shortly.
 As rule" he said, "I do not care to take up one affair until I have clean slate There's your skeleton still bothering me, professor. How ever. where's the lady who was robbed?"
 T will take you to her" the profess sor replied
 Mrs. Rheinholdt's story, by frequent repetition, had become a little more coherent, a trifie more circumstantial, the perfection of simplicity and utter ly ineomprehensible. Quest listened to 1t without remark and finally made his way to the conservatory. He re- quested Mrs. Rheinholdt to walk with him through the door by which she had entered and stop at the precise spot where the assault had been made upon her There were one or two plants knocked down from the tiers on the right-hand side, and some dis turbance in the mold where some large palms were growing. Quest and Le- nora together made a close investi- gation of the spot. Afterwards, Quest walked several times to each of the doors leading into the gardens.
 There are four entrances alto gether," he remarked, as he lit cigar and glanced around the place. Two lead into the gardens-one is locked and the other isnt-one connects with the back Of the house-the one through which you came, Mrs. Rheinholdt, and the other leads into your reception room, into which you passed after the assault. I shall now be glad if you will permit me to examine the gaEders outside for few minutes, alone with my assistant, if you please"
 For almost a quarter of an hour Quest and Lenora disappeared, They all looked eagerly at the criminologist on his return.
 Tt seems to me" he remarked, that from the back part of the house the quickest way to reach Mayton ave nue would be through this conserva- tory and out of that door. This is a path leading from just outside straight to gate in the wall Does anyone that you know of use this means of exit?"
 Mrs Rheinholdt shook her head
 "The servants might occasionally" she remarked doubtfully, but not on nights when l am receiving"
 The butler stepped forward. He was looking little grave.
 'I ought, perhaps. to inform you. madam, and MT. Quest" he said, that l did, only short time ago, suggest to the professors servant-the man who brought your macintosh, sir" he added, turning to the professor-"that he could. if he chose make use of this means of leaving the house. Mir. Craig is a personal friend of mine, and a member of very select little club we have for social purposes
 Did he follow your suggestion" Sanford Quest asked.
 "Of that I am not aware. sir" the butler replied. T left Mir. Craig with some refreshment, expecting that he would remain until my return, but a few minutes later l discovered that he had left. l will inquire in the kitchen if anything is known as to his move ments."
 He hurried off Quest turned to the professor.
 Has he been with you long this man Craig, professor" he asked.
 The professors smile was illuminat- ing, his manner simple but convincing
 Craig" he asserted, lis the best | servant, the most honest mortal who ever breathed. He would go any dis tance out of his way to avoid harming a fly. l cannot even trust him to pro cure for me the simplest specimens of insect life. Apart from this, he is a man of some property, which he has no idea what to do with. He is, think I may say, too devoted to me to dream of ever leaving my service. | You think it. would, be. out ofe the question, then" Guest asked, ito 1sso- siats him with the crime?'