The Washington herald., 1919-01-22

Drew, as knock sounded on the
door Move over and let that valet
stand there. want the light in his
eyes when we're talking to him. Al
ways get the light in the other fel-
| lows eye. Sisst"'
The door opened 10 a crsck-then
wide. The valet came in with an i'm
Z portant strut. He turned and de-
posted a cage at DeIaney's big feet.
/ The operative moved back with
grunt Of disgust. He eyed the cage
and contents with a homicidsl ex-
| preston. His eyes raised and fast
ened upon the valet. He hooked his
broad thumbs in the armholes OF his
vest and took a deep breath.
Il hope you're satisfied" he said to
/ Drew, who was smiling. Il hope this
black sparrow don't start anything.
! I'll finish it. sure"
! whats your name?' asked the
I chief. turning and consulting a paper.
otto Braun" said the valet Otto
Braun, sir"
Born in Cologne. ....y year. G..
worked as valet and major domo for
/ British families. came to America
with Mr.. Stockbridge. and have been
( with him SINCE
That's correct, sir" the valet said
( with a start Of amazement
Are you married.
"Twice-sir."
wife Iiving?"
Both. sir. I'm paying a small ali
mony to both
! Delaney grunted. His foot went out
toward the magpie which had finished
hopping about the perches Of the cage,
and was listening with head cooked
sideways
"You-you have charge Of this bird 80
asked Drew. turning fully around
and facing the valet with heavy-lidded
intentness.
I'm its keeper, sir
Delaney coughed eSDlosively. He
leaned down TO cover his confusion.
He jabbed a thumb at the bird.
It's savage" he rumbled. 1t
pecked at me-"
Easy" warned Drew. with 4 quick
frown. Easy. Delaney. ] want 20
get to the facts OF this case. We're
wasting time
Go ahead. chief"
I've had you come down herr" "
said Drew. turning 10 the valet. in
order to find out about that magpie.
You had charge Of it when Mr.. Stock
bridge was alive"
Yes. sir. fed 1t and kept it clean.
for the master" The valet sniffled
slightly. Drew watched him with
keen eye.
Did % repeat much Of Mr.. Stock
bridges conversation he asked.
'Repeal sir
What I'm trying 10 get at is,
whether or not the bird was in the
habit OF repeating wrds that seemed
TO strike its fancy. Did it act like a
parrot"
It's very much like a parrot. sir.
Sometimes it was sulky and wouldn't
say anything for DAYS. Other times
sir. We had trouble keeping it quiet"
Drew turned in his chair and finger
ed paper. II looked up everything
I can find in my library here. in re-
gard 10 magpies" he said. rs there
any difference between an ordinary
magpie and a Spanish one" he added,
turning.
''I don't thing 50. sir. They can all
be taught TO talk-the same as a
parrot sir"
Then if this bird should repeat q
word. or two words. over and over
again it would be plausible 10 as
sumo that some one had used the
myself clear" Drew added with en-
Caging csndor What I'm getting at
is important in view Of the fact that
this magpie used two words after we
broke down TIE door to the library
and found Mr.. StoCkbrldCe murdered. 20
Delaney leaned forward.
The words this bird used were
All. Sing as near as we can arrive
at them. Did you ever hear it re-
peat that couplet?"
Il can't say that I have. sir"
The detective lifted his bnows and
stared at the cage. Repeat that" he
said 10 Delaney. Repeat what we
heard in the library"
"Ah. Sing, Al. Sing, All. Sing"
doomed the operative
The magpie ruffled its feathers and
dsrted about the cage like a sparrow
in a barrel. Keep 1t up" said Drew
"Ah. Sin, All Sing, Al. Singing"
Toared Delaney.
''TharIl do, You've frightened It.
Let il alone for a while Wen keen
It here. Otto. IN send it back in a
few days. How's Miss Stockbridce
bearing the strain. up at the house 90
she hasn't left her room. sir Nr
Nichols called. The Red Cross peo-
sir, but she hasn't appeared. sir. It's
early. though"
Drew glanced at his watch. That's
all" he said. You may GO
The door closed softly as the vale,
bowed. replaced his hat and passed
out without Elancing hack.
A good servant" said Drew. rising
and kneeling down beside the cage
Now. Delaney" he added terseIy
Now. old sleepy head. We have the
key to the case locked here. ! don't
doubt but that You unconsciousIy
struck the right clew when You
bawled your little hymn. You said
All. Singing Now couldn't that be
OssininE? 90
BY God. chief u could"
"Or. more likely. All. Sing Sing
Who said that
The bird"
but who taught the hirdo'
Nobody taught it, 1t might have
been the last thing said by Stock
bridge-just before he was shot"
And the bird repeated ito u.s.
certainly. A parrot or a magpic
is a living phonograph. They repro