Evening star., 1918-05-19

ing windows; that the Roman sena-
tors pedestal was empty. and the fS-
ure which once had stood upon 1t was
bending over him-alive!
And just at that moment the red
Limousine flashed up out of the dark
ness. the outer window whirled open
and Narkom came pelting in.
He took the bait. then. cleek: 1
cried. as he saw the manacled figure
on the floor. with the Roman sena-
crowding in about it. Il guessed 1t
when I saw the lights flash up. I've
been on his heels ever since he snap
ped at that conveniently placed taxi
after he left Miss Morrison and her
father"
You haven't brought them with you.
I hope. Mr.. Narkom? 1 wouldn't have
that poor girl face the ordeal Of
what's to be revealed here. tonight
for worlds"
mo. I've not. I made a pretext of
having to phone through to headquar-
ters, and slipped out a moment after
him. But. l say. my dear chap"-as
Cleek's hands made . rapid search of
and finally brought to light a folded
paper-"whats that thing? What are
you doing?'
Compromising felony in the inter
est of humanity" he made reply as he
8. put the end of the paper into the
flame OF the candle and held 1T there
until it was consumed. I'VE all do
foolish things sometimes when we are
young. Mr.. Narkom. and George Car
boys was no exception when he wrote
Let us forget all about 1t. Capt. Nor
rison is heir-at-law, and that poor
girl viii benefit"
There was an estate. then"
Yes. My cable yesterday to the
head of the Persian police set all
doubt upon that point at rest. Abdul
ben Meerza, parting with nothing
while he lived. after the manner Of
misers in general. left a will be-
aueathing something like $4,000 to
communicated that fact to the sup
posed friend Of both parties. Mr. Mau-
rice Van Nant. Exactly ten days ago,
so his former solicitor Informed me.
Mr.. Maurice Van Nant visited him
unexpectedly and withdrew from his
been in the firms custody for eight
years. If you want to know why he
withdrew it-Dollops"
Right you are. guv'ner"
Give me the sledge hammer
Thanks! Now. Mr.. Narkom. look"
And swinging the hammer he struck
at the nymph with a force that shat
tered the monstrous thing to atoms:
and Narkom, coming forward to look
when Cleek bent over the ruin he had
wrought. saw in the midst of the dust
and rubbish the body Of dead man.
fully clothed and with the gap Of a
bullet hole in the left temple.
Again Cleek's hand began a rapid
brought to light a paper. little
crumpled ball of paper that had been
thrust into the right-hand pocket of
the dead mans waistcoat. as though
jammed there under the stress of
strong excitement and the pressure
of great haste. He smoothed 1t out
and read it carefully, then passed it
over to Mr.. Narkom.
There" he said. that's how he
lured him over to his death. That's
Would any man have failed to fly to
face the author of a foul lie like
thaty'
The message ran:
beloved Mary. come to me again
tonight. How sweet of you to think
of such thing as the belt to get him
over and to make him stop until
morning. Steal out after he goes to
bed. darling. I'll leave the studio
window unlocked. as usual. with a
thousand kisses. your own devoted,
MAURICE"
THE dog" said Narkom, fiercely.
And against a pure creature like
Mary Morrison! Here. Smathers,
Petrie. Hammond, take him away.
like that"
"How did l know that the body was
inside the statue?" said Cleek, answer
ing Narkoms query as they drove back
in the red limousine toward London and
Charges street. well. AZ a matter Of
fact. l never did know for certain until
! began to examine the thing tonight
From the first felt sure he was at the
bottom OF the affair. that he had lured
Carboys back to the house and mur-
dered him: but 1t puzzled me to think
what could possibly nave been done with
the body. l felt pretty certain, however,
when l saw that monstrous statue"
Yes, but why?'
my dear Mr.. Narkom. you ought not
to ask that question. Did 1t not strike
you as odd that a man who was torn
with grief over the disappearance Of a
loved friend should think OF modelling
any SORT Of . statue on that very nrst