The Washington herald., 1919-01-28


Drew glanced at Loris, who had
stepped toward Harry Nichols. He
studied the picture the two made,
with their heads close together. The
captain held himself defiantly. but
with that certain polish which goes
with fondness for the things of
life worth having. He had chosen a
rather pretty Girl.N and upon her he
had lavished his attentions. He had
defied Stockbridge! This was motive
enough for crime. He was not the
criminal, decided Drew. There was
that to the captains resolute, though
thick lips, and his wide eyes. which
assured the detective he would not
stoop to low things to gain his ends.
He had enlisted voluntarily. He had
worked hard at Plattsburg. He had
served, and was upon the eve of 60
ing to Pershing. No man with such
a record would slay "a girls father
The detective Nrased Harry Nichols
from his mind You two" he said
commandingly, had better go into
the library! L mean Miss Stock
BRIDGES writing room. Stay there,
please, till Mr.. Delaney and ] notify
you. Who else. beside we four are
in this part of the house,
''Only the maid" said Doris.
Go in. please. and wait. I'm go
ing to look everything up. We're GO
ing to take every precaution this
time. Frankly. don't see how any
agency can do more than we have
already Were We dealing with or
dinary crooks or blacknailers.
would have you take a taxi and move
TO some Fifth avenue hotel. But "
seems an unnecessary risk. This II
the safest place in the world, de-
spite the letter from the casket COM
pany and the former warning. What
man can enter this place tonight
without our permissionT'
I'D like to see one," blsrted De
laney.
Harry Nichols offered his arm to
Loris. They passed from the view OF
the two detectives with the locked.
gliding stride of two dancers who
moved to slow time. Drew heard the
portieres which led to the writing
room rustic downward and settle into
place. He passed his hand over his
forehead and breathed deeply
Wen get busy" he Whispered
tersely. Wen search these rooms
again. Let's start with n definite
foundation
Delaney grunted at the uselessness
of this as he reached and took the
detectives overcoat which was peeled
off and extended to him.
Hang it on a chair" said Drew
sharply. "Over there with my hat
Now" he snapped. what about the
windows of this room, the little re-
ception hall and the bedroom over
there? That's a bedroom. isn't it,
Sure. chief! frisked it good. The
central Office men were up here early
in the morning. They went through
everything. Fosdick. they say. was
like a bull. He said the thing couldn't
be done"
1T was DONE
Did you get any clew. chief, as to
how 1t was done7'
It's as much a mystery as ever
But were trimming the tree called
Truth with A broad ak. I'm goinG
around this case to get the man OF
men who did it. Then well find out
how it was done"
oh" DelanSy's expression wa
.thought-laden- Just thought of IT,
chief got them plaster-of-paris
casts. I got 'em downstairs. 1t was
some job. believe me. took every.
thing about that junction box. after
I'd thawed the snow with het blsn-
kets which a good-looking cook
brought to me"
Go down and get them
Delaney hurried out through tn.
tapestries OF the room. Drew start.
ed his search OF the apartment by a
study of the windows and the
catches. He opened one and glanced
outside. Snow had drifted to tn,
depth of three inches on the sill
This snow was unmarked. He ex.
amined all Of the siIls extending from
the three rooms. He closed anC
locked the windows. He backed of
into the center OF the reception room
and studied the situation from every
angle. The furniture was fragile and
in sets of such splendid periods hi,
eyes closed over them. The rugs and
tapestries-curtains and portieres-
sheathings of yellow hand-paintec
silk from Nippon-rare ceramics and
cloisonnes-a huge peach-blow vase
of the Ming dynasty and a hundred
little jade and jasper knick-knack.
were the outward evidence of wealth
He opened the plate-glass cases and
peered inside. He crawled under q
couch and backed out dusting his
hands. He tapped with slow knuckles
a long cheval-glass by the side OF
which was a tiny gold bracket and a