The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1916-11-24

comprising the -f1ouSe-name1y, Mr..
Exels ground floor, Henry Leroux's
second floor and DR.. Cumberly's top.
It worked III skeleton shaft, which
passed close to the left of Soames'
window.
For an active man this was a good
enough ladder, and the Inspector with
drew his head, struggling his square
shoulders irritably.
sfMy fault entirelyYs he, muttered,
biting his why mustache. "I should
have come and seen for myself If
there was another way out"
Leroux. in futters Of excitement,
now craned from the window.
"Tt might be possible to climb down
the shaft" he cried, after brief sur
vey, tsbut not If one were carrying a
heavy grip, such as that which he has
takenr'
"H,mr' said Dunbar. "You are s.-r..t-
ing gentleman, understand, and yet
it does not occur to you that he. could
have lowered the bag on cord If he
wanted to avoid the noise Of dropping
it!''
|
roux. "But really-but really -oh, good
God! I am bewildere !! What in
heavens name does it all mean"
1T means trouble replied Dunbar
lrimly bad trouble"
They returned to the study, and In
spector Dunbar, for the first time since
his arrival, walked across and exam
ined the fragmentary message, raising
his eyebrows when he discovered that
It was written upon the same paper as
Leroux's manuscript.
Then, his brows. drawn together, he
stopped to the body Of the murdered
woman. Partially raioing the fur cloak,
he suppressed gasp of establishment.
tWhy, she only wears a silk night
dress and a pair of suede slippers!"
He glanced back over his shoulder.
81 had noted that" said Cumberly.
s..The whole business is utterly, extraor-
dinarN." s
Extraordinary is no word for itv'
growled the inspector, pursuing his ex-
animation. Marks Of pressure at the
throat-yes, and generally unhealthy
appearance"
"Due to the drug habit" interJected
DR.. ,Cumberly.
what drug?"
IT should not like to say out Of hand;
possibly morphine"
..No. jewelry," continued the detec-
tive musingly. wedding ring, not a
new one. Finger nails well cared for,
but recently neglected. Hair dyed to
hide gray patches; dye wanted renew
Ing. Shoes French. Nightrobe silk;
good lace, probably French also. Faint
| perfume don't know what 1t is--ap-
parently proceeding from civet fur.
Furs magnificent, very &C. tly."
He slightly moved the table lamp in
order to direct it's light upon the white
face. The bloodless lips were parted,
| and the detective bent, closely peering
| at the teeth thus revealed.
Her teeth were oddly discolored,
DOCTOR" he said, taking out a magnify
| ing glass and examining them closely.
'They had been recently scaled, too,
| so that she was not In the habit OF
neglecting them"
| Dir. Cumberly nodded.
1.-THE drug habit again." he said
| guardedly. "a proper examination will
establish the full facts"
The inspector added brief notes to
| those already made ere he rose from
beside the body; then
"You are absolutely certain he said
deliberately, facing Leroux, that you
had never set eyes on this woman prior
/ to her coming here tonightr
| II can swear II" said Leroux.
"Goodv' replied the detective and
/ closed his notebook with snap. "Usu-
/ al formalities will have to be gone
/ through, but don't think I need trou.
Bile you, gentlemen, any further to-
| night"
DR.. Cumberly walked slowly up
| stairs to his own fiat, picture etched
indelibly upon his mind Of Henry Lee
roux with face OF despair sitting e
low In his dining room and listening tt
| the ominous sounds proceeding from
the study, where the police were now
| busily engaged. In the lobby he met
| his daughter Helen, who was waiting
for him in state Of nervous suspense
| Father" she began while rebuke
died upon the doctors lips, tell me
/ quickly what has happened"
Perceiving that an explanation was
/ unavoidable, DR.. Cumberly outlined
the story Of the nights grewsome hap
| penings while Big Ben began to chime
| the hour of /.
II en-, eager eyed and with hel
charming face rather pale, hung upor
every word Of the narrative.
"And now" concluded her father
i you must go to bed. I insist"
'.But, father" cried the girl, there Il
i something"
She hesitated uneasily.
4 "Well, Helen, go on said the doctor
81 am afraid you will refuse"
/ "At least give me the opportunity"
well, in the glimpse, the hal
glimpse, which had of her seemed
DR.. Cumberly rested his hands upo1
/ his daughters shoulders characteristic
i ally, looking into the troubled gra,
/ eyes.
"Ydu don't mean.'-he began.
II thought reco2nized herr' whiz