Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1916-01-28

THE LAUGH
How They Solved
the Mystery
By CLARISSA MACKIE
; Observation-Disclosures

Harley and Rogers, investigating
lawyers, faced each other In some dis
may.
"a murder case" remarked Harley
at last THAT'S rather out OF our line,
Isn't 1T"
"Just because no one has brought
one to our doors. We've taken every
thing In sight 50 far" grlnned Rogers.
"Then we won't let this one get by,
Ell? Good thing It's vacation time
Now tell me what Dr. Hilbert had to
say about tho matter"
II found him waiting in the Office
when | arrived this morning. He said
that he had curious story to tell me-
at seems he has been attending a
patient, Emery Armstrong, who lives
In a dilapidated house on the Freeman
road Armstrong was middle aged
man Of eccentric habits and lived alone
with hired man. a Swede of the name
of Lindqulst.
Armstrong had money or was re-
puted to be miser, but his house ap-
peared poverty stricken. He always
paid the doctor with grumbling reluc-
lance.
Armstrong had been sick for some
time, nothing dangerous apparently,
merely a low malarial fever. He was
80 much improved that HILBERT decid-
ed he need not come any more.
when he went to pay his last visit
last night the man Lindqulst met him
at the door and said that his employer
was unconscious The doctor found
Armstrong had been dead for several
hours. Investigation showed that the
man had been shot through the deart
as he lay In bed.
''The shot had penetrated bedcloth-
ing and all, and yet there were no
powder marks from a gun pressed
against the bedding.
'Lindquist appeared stupeied when
told that his employer was dead. He
admitted that he had been away all
night and had just returned. HILBERT
came directly to US and has now gone
to notify the police authorities"
"Where is LindqulstT asked Harley.
"Oh Hilbert left the man alone
there. Rather an odd thing to do I'M
der the circumstances"
"Of course Hlbbert's reputation Is
impeccable" remarked Harley, reach
ing for his hat Coming with mop
"Yes. I'd like to beat the police 10
It. My car Is below"
The young lawyers went down to the
street and entered Rogers low swung
racing car In fifteen minutes they
were turning into the neglected
grounds surrounding the Armstrong
house. They were quite extensive, and
the masses OF shrubbery furnished ex'
cellent hiding places for any one prowL
ing around bent on mischief.
The house itself, once lofty colonial
mansion with pillared porticoes and
many wings. was In tumbledown con-
dition.
There was no sign OF life around the
place, and Rogers could not help sud-
den tightening of heartstrings when
he recollected that the murderer might
be concealed where he could pick them
of one at a time as they entered the
house.
The same thought occurred to Har-
ley, and he was glad they were both
armed with automatic weapons.
Rogers lifted the ancient brass knock
er and raped gently.
II Iindqulst was on guard he would
answer at once.
The knock reverberated as though
through empty rooms.
what was that soundT asked Rog-
ers. ut sounded like laughP'
Harley had heard It too.
perhaps the Swede has gone IN
sane" he suggested and turned tho
doorknob
The door opened halfway and then
stopped.
The two men entered and almost fell
over the squat form of a man huddled
on the floor In pool Of blood.
ut IL Lindquist-shOt IN the backT'
muttered Rogers as he got up from his
knees.
ut hns just Unopened" Harley
touched his companion's arm. The
murderer may still be here" he
breathed
Weapons In hand, they searched the
lower ROOMS. finding only dust and de-
cay, except In the kitchen, which bore
evidence Of being In daily use.
On the second floor only one room
was habltable This was the one in
which the dead man lay.
This was II lofty chamber furnished