Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1916-03-02

nora. "the inspector here's setting up
al a Judge Of millinery"
Lenora turned and looked at them
both with an air Of blank astonish.
ment. The inspector was a little EN-.
barrassed.
mo need to give me away like that"
he muttered, as they reached the hall.
Nov then, ladies' and gentlemen, II
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
a little exclamation. His face was
grave, almost haggard.
"Mr. Quest" he said, Inspector
French, / deeply regret that l have
a statement to make"
They both turned quickly toward
him. The inspector smiled in a con-
f1dential ann at Laura. 1t was
obvious that he knew what was COM
ing.
Some years ago." the professor
continued, 81 bought this house and
made a present Of it to"
ITO whom?" Quest asked quickly.
ITO my servant Craig" the profess
sor admitted with a groan.
Lenora gave a little cry. She turned
triumphantly towards the inspector.
"All recollection as to it's locality
had escaped me-" the professor con-
tinued ~sorrowfully. II remember that
it was o. the anniversary Of his hav-
ing been with me for some fifteen
years that l 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 l requested a house agent to send
me in a list of suitable residences.
This, alas! was the n purchased"
Quest glanced around the place.
II think" he said, that the profess
sor's statement now removes any
doubt as to Craig's guilt. You are
sure the house has been closely
watched, Inspector"
"Since l received certain informa-
tion," Trench replied, II have had
half a dozen Of my best men in the
vicinity. I can assure you that no
one has entered or left 1t during the
last tw%enty.four hours"
They made their way to the piazza
steps and entered by the front door.
The house was an ordinary frame
work n 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
slept was still crumpled. French,
who had been tapping the walls down.
stairs, called to them. They trooped
down into the hall. The inspector
vas standing before what appeared to
be an ordinary panel.
Look here" he said, glancing out
Of the orn Of his eye to be sure
that Laura was there, "let me show
you what I 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 it, "in 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
rest and called up the exchange.
Inspector French speaking" he
announced. "Kindly tell me what is
the number of the telephone from
which I an speaking, and who Is the
subscriber"
He listened to the reply and asked
another question.
Can you tell me when this instru-
ment vas last used? . When?
-. Thank you!"
The inspector hung up the receiver.
THE subscribers name" he told
them dryly, is Brown. The number
Is not entered in the book, by re.
quest. The telephone was used an
hour ago from a call office and con-
nection was established. That is to
say, that someone spoke from this
telephone"
Then il your men have maintained
their search properly. that someone"
Quest said slowly, must be in the
house at the present moment"
without a doubt" the inspector
agreed.
Il am going to search the front
room on the first floor before we do
anything else" said Quest. 81 think
that II you wait here I may be able 20
show you something directly"
Quest assembled the stairs and en-
tered a wholly unfinished room on
the left.hand side. He looked for a
minute contemplatively OF a large but
rather shallow cupboard. the door OF
which stood open, and tapped lightly
with his forefinger upon the back part
Of 1t. Then he withdrew a few feet
and. drawing out his revolver, DELHI
erately fired into the floor, q few
inches inside. There was q half
stifed cry. The false back suddenly
swung open and q man rushed out
Quests revolver covered him, but
there was no necessity for It's use
Craig. smothered with dust, Ills face
white as a piece Of marble, even his
jaw shaking with fear, was wholly
unarmed. He seemed, in fact, incap
able Of any form Of resistance.