The Washington herald., 1916-11-05

only what say" evaded Parrish,
leading the way toward the front
"You mean than you sayi-
declared ClaytcL! Ausins at the ver-
, anda steps.
DO I?'' suavely returned Parrish.
We'll. it's better than saying more
. than I mean. Good-by. guess !
won't 90 in, after ALL"
He nodded and started down the
walk toward the street. But Clay
ton rang the bell and was admitted.
Parrish abruptly checked his own
progress. Turning he sped around the
side OF the house once more, passed
an obscure side door. among the
vines, took key from his pocket.
unlocked the door and cautiously en-
tered the house.
Clayton. meantime. was ushered
into the library by Felix. DR.. Non
trose, looking up. rose and advanced
cordially to welcome his guest.
Felix departed In search Of Flor
ence, who presently came laughing
into the room, carrying In one hand
her camera and in the other arm
two struggling kittens.
Hello. Bob!" she hailed the art
ist- What brings you here 20 early
In the day? thought you were always
at your studio till l."
I'm playing truant," replied Clay
ton. Besides, I'm not here as q guest,
but as an errand boy"
He repeated his mothers invita-
tion for the country club dinner.
Florence gladly accepted, and he
promised to call for her In his car
at 1880. to take her to the club.
While they chatted, DR.. Montrose,
unnoticed by either Of them, quietly
left the room and mounted the
stairs toward his laboratory.
The telephone rang. In the hall. Just
outside the library door. Florence
went out to answer the call. leaving
Clayton TO wonder what had become
of his eccentric host
At the far end Of the wire Mrs.
Clayton's voice was asking Florence
II Bob had remembered to deliver her
invitation and II the girl. would be
able to accept It.
"Of course I'll come Mrs. Clayton"
Bob heard Florence reply. He Is 70
Ing to take me in his car, after he
has brought you to the club. L"
Clayton strolled out into the hall
on learning that 1t was his mother
to whom Florence was talking.
As he stepped through the doorway
from the library he saw Florence at
the telephone; her back to the stair
way. And near the upper landing Of
the stairs, listening to her, stood
Pierre La Rue.
La Rue's eyes met Clayton's- Then
Pierre whirled about and dashed up
ward, out of sight.
Shaking of his momentary astonish-
ment, Clayton bounded up the stair
way In hot pursuit
Bob could hear La Rue run along
the upper hallway. But as he him
self reached the summit of the stairs
he saw the hallway was empty. At
its farther end. however, near the
locked door Of the laboratory, q win
dow stood wide open
4 + =
Toward this window ran Bob Claw
ton: Florence at his heels. They both
looked out. No one was In sight
But a broken bit Of wisteria showed
the passage Of the fugitive along the
veranda roof.
Look" cried Florence, a. CLAYTON
ieaned far out in search Of the es4
caped La Rue. Look! Down here!"
She pointed at the window sill.
There, clearly outlined against the
snow-white paint Of the sill, they
both saw set Of not-over-clean finI
ger prints.
"Good!" exclaimed Clayton, In TIL
umph. Don't touch them, please.
They form the first tangible clue
we've had q
Florence left him and sped down
the hall. Almost at once she re-
turned. carrying her camera.
The microscopic lens Is still at
tached." she explained, focusing tho
instrument. Now for q picture OF
the finger prints. Harold ought I'd
be glad to reproduce 1t in the :ExI
aminer. As you say, it's a splendid
Nclew."
As she talked she leveled the cam4
era and pressed its bulb.
Fifteen minutes later the plates
were developed and printed. CLAYTON
pocketed one Of the prints as soon
as it was dry.
SOo' SohILlouIcO rIOr6QCe, L point
ing to second print she had made.
THAT thumb ought to be easy to
identify. 1t has tiny scar, PARKWAY,
across the apex. I don't suppose IL
would show for much in the hand
itself. But the microscope makes it
look like cash.
They descended into the front hall.
do you mind IL light a cigaret
before start out ?" asked Bob, draw
Ing forth a polished silver cigaret
case. There's such a gale Of wind
blowing outside. I'm afraid I'm not
enough Of an Irishman to make a
match burn there"
He was cropping for q match as nd
spoke. Then his eyes fell on Felix
The servant had quietly appeared
from somewhere IN the rear Of the
house and was holding out Clayton's
hat and gloves, which he had obse-
quiously picked up from the hall
table.
An idea flashed into. Bob's mind.
Thrusting back the match into his
pocket, he produced a silk handker-
chief. and vigorously rubbed the al
ready shining surface Of the cigaret
case.
These silver cases get tArnished so
easily" he explained, as he rubbed.
As he spoke the case clipped from
his fumbling fingers to the rug at his
feet Felix at once picked up the case