Evening star., 1918-05-26
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a compartment which he has engaged
for his own exclusive use-and this
Starvornell must have done. other
wise the man couldn't have been trav-
cling with him-and then proceeds to
read the news instead of troubling
himself to treat his companion as a
guest. It Is pretty safe TO say that
they are acQuaintances of long stand
Ing. and upon such terms of intimacy
that the social amenities may be dis
pensed with fnofensively. Now look
At the position of this newspaper
lying between the dead mans feet.
Curved round the ankle and the lower
part Of the calf Of the left leg. II we
hadn't found the key We still shou,s
have known that the murderer got
out on that side Of the carriage"
How should we have knownf"
Because a paper which has simply
Deem dropped could not have assumed
that position without the aid of a
strong current OF air. The opening
OF that door on the f4Rht-hand side
OF the body supplied that current, and
supplied II with such strength and
violence that the paper was. as one
might say. absolutely sucked round
the mans leg. This is q positive
the time 1t happened. for the day. as
you know. has been windlesa
Now look! No powder on the face.
no smell OF 1t in the compartment:
and yet the pistol found in his hand
Is n ordinary American-made thirty
eight caiiber revolver We have an
amateur assassin to deal with, Mr.
Narkom. not hardened criminal: and
the witlessness of the fellow is
enough to bring the case to an end
before this night is over. Why didn't
he discharge that revolver today, and
have enough sense to bring q thimble-
full of powder to burn in this COM
partment after the work was donee
one knows in an instant that the
weapon used was an air-pistol. and
how to do the thing without sound,
not how to do II with sense
1 don't suppose that there are three
places in all London that stock air
pistols, and don't suppose that they
sell SO many as two in a whole years
time. But IL one has been sold or
repaired at any of the shops in the
past six months-well. Dollops will
know that In less than no time.
phoned him to make inquiries. His
tasks an easy one. and I've no doubt
he will bring back the word I want
as our friend the assassin Is such
blundering, short-sighted individual.
it's just possible that, forgetting
many other important things. he may
have neglected to search the body OF
his victim. Let US do IL for him"
As he spoke he bent over the dead
man and commenced to search the
clothing. He slid his hand into the
inner pocket of the creaselese morning
coat and drew out q notebook and
two or three letters. All were ad-
dressed in the handwriting of women.
but only one seemed to possess any
interest for Cleek. 1t was written on
pink notepaper. inclosed in a pink
envelope. and was postmarked "Croy-
don, December 9. half-past two pm"
and bore those outward marks which
betokened its delivery not in course
Of post but by express messenger.
One instant after Cleek had looked
at it he knew he need seek no further
for the information he desired. 1t
read
Piggy. Stupid boy. The ball of the
tonight I have make sudden dis
government. Come quick. by the train
that shall leave London Bridge at the
time of twenty-eight minutes after
the hour OF five. You shall not fail OF
this, or 1t shall make much difficulties
rival. Do not bother of the costume:
will have one ready for you. I have
one large Joke OF the somebody else
that is coming, which will make you
scream Of the laughter. Burn this
And at the bottom of tho sheet
"Do burn this 1 have hurt the hand
and must use the writing of my maid.
and I do not want you to treasure
that"
There's the explanation, Mr.. Mar
kom," said Cleek as he held the letter
out. That's why he came by TINS
particular train. There's the snare.
That's how he was lured."
"By Fifiw said Narkom. by Jove,
I rather fancied from the hrst that we
should find that she or her husband
had something to do with it
"Did you?" said Cleek with . smile
4. didn't then: and ! don't even yet
Narkom opened his lips to make
some comment upon this. but closed
them suddenly and said nothing. For
at that mombent one of the constaples
put in an appearance with news ina
1.-TWO ladies and two gentlemen nave
arrived. sir, and are asking permis-
sion to view the body for purposes OF
Here are the Names
sir, on this slip of paper.
LADY Stavornell: Col. Murcnisoh,
Hon. Mrs. Brinkworth; Cap1. James .hen
Crawford" Narkom read aloud then
looked up inquiringly at Cleek.
yes" he said. Let them come
Narkom?"
DO you happen to know where they
come aTssi frGmt 7 learned that when I sent
word of Stavornelrs death to them
this evening. Lady Starvornen and
her father have for the last Week
been stopping at Cleethorp Hydro 70
which they n went ,hc ,or cbr;stmas sns p o holi-
DAYS, and, oddly enough. both Mrs.
and Capt Crawford turh
ed up at the same place Tor the SANS
purpose the day before YESTERDAY. II
can't be very pleasant for them,
ladies' are not very friendly"
Naturally not" said Cleek. hair
q abstractediy. The one loathing the
man, the other loving him. 1 want to
see those two ladies. and ! particu-
lary want to see srs these sas Voice awe drep- sp
ped off. Then he stood looking up at
the shattered globe and rubbing his
chin between his thumb ana fore
finger and wrinkling up his prows
after the manner OF a man VINO 10
arithmetic And Narkom. unwiss In
that direction for once. chose to IN
terrupt his thoughts, for no greater
reason than that he had thrice heard
him mutter, tion-dispiacemeh.-
he yentured. Can I help you? / used
to be rather good at that sort OF
thing"
Were your" said Cleek. tribe
testify. Then tell me something.
tWo rUopa,s pounds to s the SQUARE inch. how
much wind does 1t take to make
cutting table fly. with an unknown
weight upon 1t. from the sydenham
switch to the Low Level station?
got the murderer. And when you do
get him he won't be any man you
sver saw or heard Of in all the days of
your life! But he will be Light enough