The Washington herald., 1919-01-17

CHAPTER V. CContinued).
What did you fnd?" he snapped tc
the operative.
Not a thing, chief" Delaney
mopped his brow with his sleeve.
Nothing at alI!' he added. Every
thing regular. Modern-very moderr
house! Thick, new, fireproof. sound,
proof. million-dollar building. No
trapdoors or panels. No loos
boards. No hole in the ceiling. NJ
nothing to hang a ghost on. The gun
man who shot Stockbridge went right
up in blue smoke, chief I quit"
kneeIs at Body.
Drew gIided around the table an,
kneeled by the magnate's body. Hi
swift. light-fingered touch wen
through the trousers and vest Tht
pockets he turned inside out Tht
watch attracted his attention. Its dfa
had been cracked by the fall.
splinter OF glass pressed against IN,
minute hand. He rose with a low cry
He pressed the repeater and listene
TO the time chimes. He counted tn
strokes. lie had test I'm a million
Had the watch been tampered witt
by the murderer. the chimes woul,
have proved lie. 1t was possible L
set the hands TO any position.
would be difficult to change both tn
hands and the repeater.
Delaney" he said with his dar
eyes glowing, we've got the exac
time of the murderer. AS told th
butler-it is very important Boil
chimes and hands, show that Stocl
bridge was shot at four minutes an
eighteen seconds past midniEht-thi
morning! This Is a fine watch.
cost several thousand dollars. Rot
berry was not the motive. An ordinar
crook and they're all ordinary-wit
few exceptions-woUIdh have taken tn
timepieCe."
That's all right" said Delane
with a quick frown. That's fine, chic
but-but how did that exceptional
crook get into this room? How di
he get out? That's what I want I
know"
Takes in Everything.
Drew combed his fingers through hi
black hair. He described a Complet
circle about the library. with his eye
taking in everything, before he face
Delaney.
Il don't know" he said frankly. "
don't want TO think Of il, either. We
turn the case over TO other men 70
the time. Let them do some thinking
l believe we have secured cycrythin
we want"
The detective dropped his glance {
the telephone receiver upon the noo
at Stockbridge's elbow. He stoopet
grasped the siIk-insulated cord. an
fished it UP.
I'm try to get central" he SAID
This has been OF a long while. Sh
may have sent the trouble-ma
again"
Drew worked the hook OF the 'phon
up and down. He was answered afte
a short wait. The girls surprise
voice at hearing life at the end Of
dead set Of wires was drowned /
the detectives request TO get hin
Spring 3lO0-quickIyr"
Hello! Hello, said Drew as he &c
the connection. Hello, Is this Sprin
800? II is? Who's talking? Jones
This you, Jones?....Say Jones. pIu
me in on the fifth deputy commission
er's private house wire. Sir?...I don
Care,....This is Drew talking. Drew
d - That's right q.
Drew, Of Drew's Agency"
Lifts EyesI Tightens Lips.
The detective turned He eyed Do
laney who was searching the floo
about the millionaire's uD-turne
shoes. He tapped the receiver aEains
the transmItter's silver-plated edE,
His eyes lifted His lips hardened a
tho diaphragm Of the receiver VI
brated harshly
Hello" hc answered terseIy. Hello
This you. commissioner? Is this Eos
dick 2.... This is Drew talking Yes
.... Drew. Yes, say. FosdiCl
there's been "a murder committed 4
StockbridEe' 'S.--. You know-thc mum
tions maEnat"..... Tho millionaire.
Morphy'S old partner"
Drew waited a moment. He droppc
his eyes upon tho body below him.
Yes" he continued into the trans
mitter. Yes. Fosdick. hear better
nov. Nes-StoCkbridCe is dead!....
Hes stone dead lie was shot down {
cold blood. Yes. Shot in IN
brain. Yes! Send your best opera
tives.... Nes,.... Send a finger-prir
man and photographer. You'll nee
EN-. Yes. Yes. Shot with
smalI-bore revolver, ! guess. WoUr
behind ear looks like il, What.
No.. Room was bolted... He wa
inside. o.. Butler on guard GO. Window
closed and locked -. No. No.
No.. It wasn't suicide. He wa
threatened twice. this time... BY Ie
ter and telephone call. What
WHAT. No.. He didn't sho,
himself. There's no gun. It's G
the left side-Close Up,.... Hair
singed. flesh is powder spotted. d..
Burned?.. Yes. You'll be right VI
....Yes!.... I'll be waiting,.... Com,
come"
Drew lowered the receiver al
clicked It upon the hook OF the tel,
phone which stood on the hardwo0
floor. He slowly turned toward Il
open doorway of the library. Th
servants had drawn back and out
sight. Delaney leaned forward wit
both hands on his bent knees. A girl
voice had sounded in the mansion.
came closer. The portieres partt
with a silken sweep. Drew brace
himself against the larger table. Hi
hand went back to his hip. 1t droppe
to his side He stared across the floo
of light with line-drawn eyelids.
Ioris StockbridEe. Cowned in lac
chiffon and cloaked with ermine an
sable gIided across the rugs and stoo
framed beneath the soft rose igl