Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-06-30
THE
WOMAN IN BLACK
BIZ EDMUND CLERIHEW BENTLEY

seen my fondest hopes decay. l
did think l was ahead of Scotland
Yard this time, and now here is the
largest officer in the entire Metro
politan force already occupying the
position"
The detective smiled grimly and
came to the window. 81 was ex-
pecting you, Mr.. Trent" he said.
This is the sort of case that you
like"
Since my tastes were being con-
sidered," Trent replied, stepping in
to the room, II wish they had fol-
lowed up the idea of keeping my
hated rival out of the business. You
have got long start, tool know
all about it." His eyes began to
wander round the room. How did
you manage it? You are a quick
mover, | know; the dun deer's hide
on fleeter foot was never tied; but
| don't see how you got here in
time to be at work yesterday even
ing. Has Scotland Yard secretly
started an aviation corps? Or is
it in league with the Internal pow
ers? In either case the home sec
rotary should be called upon to
make a statement"
Its simpler than that" said Mr..
Murch with professional stolidity. 81
happened to be on leave with the
Missus at Halvey, which is only II
mile or so along the coast. AS soon
as our people there heard of the
murder they told me | wired to
the chief, and was put in charge
of the case at once. | bicycled over
yesterday ewing, and have been
at it since then"
Arising out of that reply" said
Trent inattentively, "how is Mrs
Inspector Murch?"
Never better, thank you" an
swered the inspector, land fire.
quently speaks of you and the games
you used to have with Our kids.
But you'll excuse me saying, Mr.
Trent, that you needn't trouble to
talk your nonsense to me while
you're using your eyes. | know
your ways by now. | understand
you've fallen on your feet as usual,
and have the lady's permission to
go over the place and make inquir-
les"
"Such is the fact" said Trent. 81
am going to cut you out again, in
spector. | owe you one for beating
me over the Abinger case, you old
fox. But if you really mean that
you're not inclined for the social
amenities just now, let US leave COM
pliments and talk business" He
stepped to the table, glanced
through the papers arranged there
in order, and then turned to the
open rolltop desk. He looked into
the drawers swiftly. 81 see this has
been cleared out. WE'LL now, in
spector, suppose we play the game
as before"
Trent had found himself on sew
eral occasions in the past thrown
into the company of Inspector
Murch, who stood high in the coun-
ellis Of the Criminal Investigation de-
partment. He was a quiet, tactful
and very shrewd officer. a man of
great courage, with vivid history
in connection with the more dan
gerous class of criminals. His hui
mainly was as broad as his frame,
which Vas large even for police
man. Trent and he, through some
obscure working of sympathy, had
formed one of those curious friend
ships with which it was the younger
mans delight to adorn his exper-
fence. The inspector would talk
more freely to him than to any one,
under the rose, and they would dis
cuss details and possibilities of
every case. to their mutual enlight-
eminent. There were necessarily
rules and limits. 1t was understood
between them that Trent made no
journalistic use of any point that
could only have come to him from
an official source. Each of them,
moreover, for the honor and prest-
ige of the institution he represented,