The Washington herald., 1919-01-23


in a way. He couldn't have a better
record. Now weIl lay him aside.
What did Frick learn at Ossining2"
Prick 'phoned once. was going
TO connect you with him, but that
fellow with the bird cage came in.
frick says the warden Is o. h. and
viii lend every aid. He saw Norphy
in the auditors department Looks
worried, he says. Getting old The
visitors list shows that he's had an
average OF three visits a month. No
sign OF his brother. There's o fel
low calls. though. who might be Cuth-
bert Morphy. Answers general de-
scription. They'll pinch him next
time he comes. We never thought Of
looking for him there!"
NO! We were going to send him
there, It's like a crook. though, to
play with fire. Whar else did Frick
say"
Nothing more. chief. He's looking
around. He says he'll report as soon
as there is anything. He says"
Burr! BUUrrr, Buurrrr"'
Drew turned and snatched Up the
telephone receiver. He pressed the
diaphragm to his ear 'AH right. -
he said tcrseiy. 'ConneGt me, Yes 80
delaney bresthed deeply and watch
ed his chiefs face.
Hello. Hello whispered Drew.
Yes" he added Euardedly. t'Yes.
commissioner. What? You say
that. that the autopsy on Stock
bridges body-head-shows what? Re
peat it, I can't quite hear what you
are saying. Louder, commissioner,
That's better Yes-aII right now.
Fosdick. II shows. II shows that
the cupronickle bullet found irH-in....
repeat that. In Stockbridge's brain
was not scored or. ....or what?....
Marked. Watt ] don't get your
meaning. lit was lodged in the
soft tissues OF the. 800. Nes,....I see.
Go on. There were no rifling
marks on it. What
Drew turned and motioned toward
the open door. Harrigan closed it
softly as the detective resumed his
position at the phone. Yes" he
said terseIy. Yes. Fosdick. That's
important ! should say It was i'm
portant!.... New wrinkle. WHAT.
Why. I'd think at a quick jump that
the bullet which killed the old man
wasn't fired from a regulation re-
volver.... Yes. 1t couldn't Of. II
must have been fired from a smooth
bore rifle or pistol. What. Yes
go. 1t seems that way to me ... Are
you dead sUre?'
Drew waited. lie tapped the desk
} with a pencil lie reached with his
right hand and pulled a sheet Of
paper to him. Go on" he said slow
ly. Yes. go on. commiss ione-. Oh
I've been bBsy' Yes. You have,
Well. wouldn't OF. No. I don't
think that's the right lead at all.
They're all right All right. Go 20
it,. Good-hy. Fosdick"
Tho detective nipped tho RECEIVER
on the hook and slowly swung the
chair His eyes darted first at Har-
rigan and then rested upon DeIaney's
broad face.
That damn fool he exclaimed.
Hes pinched the whole bunch Of
servants. Hes looking for the valet.
The butler - under lock and kcy-
All that's left up there is the house
Keeper and some housemaids and Miss
I1oris. He better not touch her, Bra s.
Band Fosdick, He's a mile of the
case"
What about that bullet. chief"
asked Delaney.
oh, That's new It's different and
important Tho coroucr's inquest
shows-the autopsy. mean-that tho
bullet found in the nillionairc.s brain
was a cupronICkIo AFFAIR Of twenty
two Caliber projeclqd by smokeless
powder from a smooth-borc weapon
held not more than three inches from
the old mans head"
"Whew." whistIed Delaney. That's
going some, chief he added. rising.
But what does it mean / amt
got that at-tall,''
Nor L." snapped Drew. We're
only getting deeper and deeper into
facts. After while well have
enough OF them 10 solve the caee. The
smooth bullet is important II suE-
gests many thinEs-a homemade gun,
for instance"
Might have been an old civil war
gun. chief
Il don't believe there was anything
like that in StoCkbridCe's house You
might inquire when you go up He
was very modern with his Flying Boat
stock and his improved munitions for
tho allies. He has no old collection
OF arms
Delaney stared at Harrigan Drew
swung to his desk and tapped the
blotter for a moment. We'll get
busy" he said briskly. as he swung
back again and faced the two opera
uNeS. I've almost got my man. That
bird there" Drew pointed toward
the magpie, lis our one best bet and
lead. l may be wrong. but I'll wager
a good cigar there's a convict or OK
convict at the back OF this case. How
else can we explain 'Ossining' or All.
Sing repeated through the magpie
TO us. Its not an impossible Clew. II
might happen. Let's move with both
feet"
Delaney rose lankily and stood by
the door. He braced his shoulders
then shelyed them forward as ne
Preached a finger toward the bind
cage. Pretty Poll" he said.
The magpie darted about tho cage
like a shaft of blue light Ii came
TO rest with its tail feathers thrust
l through the bars. 1t pecred with
beaded eyes at Drew who had snatch
ed up a bundle OF papers and was
sorting them.
Get busy. Delaney, on this as
signment," he said sharply. Waste
no time. Run up to StockbridCe's and
get me plaster-paris casts OF all the
footprints you can find around that
junction box. It's stopped showing. d"
he added, glancing out the window.