Evening star., 1917-11-04

some, all-wood-paneledd dining room II
quet Of the night before
Craig paused a moment, in doubt
which way to go, then picked up from
the table beautifully decorated menu
card As he ran his eye down 1t me-
chan.ca1ly he paused.
"Champignons," he remarked. thought
fully. H-m!-mushrooms"
Instead Of going on toward the IL
brary. he turned and passed through a
swinging door into the kitchen. There
was no one there. but 1t was in a much
more upset condition than the dining
room.
Pardon. monsieur" sounded a voice
behind US.
1t was the French chef who had en-
tered from the direction of tho servants
quarters, and was now all apologies for
the untidy appearance of the realm
over which he presided. The strain of
the dinner had been too much for his
assistants, he hastened to explain.
Il see that you had mushrooms
creamed." remarked Kennedy.
Oui. monsieur" he replied; some
that Miss Hargrave herself sent in
from her mushroom cellar out In the
country"
tariiy toward q pile Of ramekins on a
table. Kennedy noticed it and deliber-
ately walked over to the table. Before
I knew what he was about he had
scooped from them each a bit OF the
contents and placed 1t in some waxed
paper that was lying near by. The chef
watched him curtously.
You would not find my kitchen like
this ordinarily" he remarked. II would
not like to have DR.. Murray see 1t. for
since last year. when monsieur had the
bad stomach. I have been very care
full"
The chef seemed to be nervous.
10y Sou prepared the mushrooms your
Il directed my assistant" came back
the wary reply.
But you know good mushrooms when
You see them?''
Certainly" he replied. quickly,
There was no one else in the kitchen
while you prepared them?"
Yes" he answered. hurriedly. ''Mr.
Mansfield came in. and Miss Hargraye.
Murray. he has given me special orders
ever since last year. when monsieur
had the bad stomach" he repeated.
Was any one else here?'
'"Yes-I think SO. You see. am go
excited-a big dtnner-such epicuresI
say
turned again into the dining room.
making his way back to the library,
where Miss Grey was waiting anx-
what do you think7" she asked.
Il don't know what to think" replied
Kennedy. mo one else has felt any i'll
effects from the supper. ! suppose?"
I would have heard by this time II they
mad"
DO you recall anything peculiar
about the mushrooms?" shot out Ken
We talked about them some time. 1
remember" she said. slowly. Grow
ing mushrooms is one of Miss Har-
Long Island"
mean anything peculiar about the prep
aration Of them"
Why. yes. she said. suddenly: 7 be
lieve that Miss HarErave was to have
superintended them herself: We all
went out into the kitchen. But 1t was
too late. They had been prepared al
ready"
Yes; I remember. 1t was before the
supper and just after we came In from
the theater party which Mr.. Mansheld
gave"
THAT is what was trying to get out
of the chef-Francois." remarked Ken Ken
clear idea of what happened. l think
Til see him aeain-right away"
We found the chef busi'y at work
now. cleaning UP. AS Kennedy asked
his eve caught a row of books on a
shelf. It was most complete library
of the culinary arts. Craig selected
one and turned the pages over rapidly
Then he came back to the frontispiece,
which showed a model dirner-table set
for Il number of guests. He placed the
picture before Francois. then withdrew
it in. I should say. about ten seconds.
Now, tell me what you saw"
Francois was quite overwhelming In
his desire to Please. Just what was 60
ing on in his mind could not guess
nor did he bctray 1t, but quickly he
enumerated ths objects on the table,
gradually slowing up as the number
which he recollected became exhausted
Were there candles" prompted
Craig.
"Oh, yes, candles" he agreed. eagerly
''Favors at each place."
"Yes. sir"
The questioning over, Kennedy with
drew. leaving poor Francois more mys-
titled than ever.
"Well. 1 exclaimed. as we passed
through the dining room. what was
That" he explained. fs what is
known to criminologists as the Aus
sage test Just try It some time when
you get q chance. II there are, say
fifty objects in a picture. normally q
person may recall perhaps twenty Of