Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-04-21
THEN READ THIS

DENFTELD's eyes Travelled upward
and along the high shelf of the
mantel. (which stood some distance
above his head. The small bronze fig
urcs on either end of the shelf were
handsome, but his eyes did not linger
on them and passed on to the next OBJ
jects, candlesticks, and then we're
focused on the center ornament-thc
mantel clock.
The clock was evidently of French
make, and the Coroner admired the
handsome gilt work which enCased tho
glass globe inside OF whi"l wore cS.
posed the works OF the clock, its dial
and the pendulum which in that in.
stance was obviously the loose base OF
the clock, and revolved slowly half
around and back again as the seconds
and minutes were licked OFF But it
.
claimed the Coroners wandering at.
tention. Taking out his Notebook, he
turned its pages hurriedly until he
came to an entry under the date of
Tuesday of that week: O'clock in IL
brary going at time of discovery Of
dead man. and time registered acCu-
rate TO the minute with my watch
Penfield frowned at the clock. How
had he come TO overlook questioning
Evelyn regarding the clock? Had she
set it going on entering the library
Tuesday morning? II she had not, 1t
would effectually prove his theory that
some one had occupied the house in
the absence of the Burnhams. Pen
field frightened; he had found some
thing tangible to work on after all
by refreshing his memory in his re
examination of the room.
Standing on tiptoe. for his medium
height did not permit his reaching
behind the clock. Penfield felt along
the shelf for a key to the clock. Meet
ing with no success, he pulled forward
a chair and mounting it looked behind
the clock. then under the bronze nG'
ares. and lastly, under the candle
sticks. hat he could find no trace OF
kev He next essayed to open the
y,ass door of the clock, but the eaten
stuck and pull as he might he cou'u
not open it. A discreet cough pel''no
! him interrupted his efforts and he
swung sabout with such sped 'i'a' l1e
almost lost his balance. Jones the
butler, laid a steadying hand on Ms
chair.
PEG pardon. sir" he said contriteiE'
"r thought you heard me come H.
sir"
The Coroner sprang down from the
chair. .'What is it you wish he ue'
manded. ,.o. 70 re-
'sThe housekeeper said | was 10 re-
mort TO YOU that had returned sir'
"Returned? Returned from where
"From my day off, sir" Jones with
carefu, exactness, replaced the chah
from where the Coroner had taken IT,
scan I get you anything sir saho'
wiches-
.Not a thing, thanks" The Coroner $
tr,,soue manner cut short the butler
loouaciousness. "Where's the NeS ~
This clock?" 4 jerk of his hnger III
6icated the mantel shelf
~ don't know, sir" Jones Steppea
,orward and peered along the shelf MS
height giving him that advantage over
the eoroner's stocky figure. "lns 1t
alongside the clock
"It is not" -.
..rben you'll have to ask the master
renlied ones. and his manner had loSI
some of it's servilty. Or Mrs. burn
ham, he added as an aftsr-though''
s ..rhe kew is generally kept Oh the
.h.,f Mr.. Burnham's very fussy about
ali the clocks in the house anu we
have strict orders not to NEEDLE WIN
any of them
II see." Penfield thought moment
then walked over and, closing the
hall door, lOCheu II Iie D"'oi'SS' ''-N
KEY in his fingers before pocketing it.
aTeu Mr.. Burnham I will return the
kew tomorrow" he said by way of eX-
ulanation as he stopped long enough
10 pick up his hat from the chess
table where he had placed it on first
entering the library, and then walked
over TO the door opening into Burn
hams bedroom. He waited until Jones
tad followed him into the latter room
then turned and locked that door'
pocketing it's key without hesitahc!'
( before again addressing the waiting
servant Penfield took careful survey
~ Burnham's bedroom. Its simple
furniture appealed to him, as wen as
the neat array of long tables WHICH
,,,,h bullt.up sides, resembled open
card index drawers.
..What's all this" he ASKED ap
proaching the tables
..Af, Burnham keeps his chess prob
,ens and records filed there eS'
p,ained Jones "He receives problems
~ calls them, from all over the world
and the time he spends fussing over
them," Jones rolled his eyes. Its
enough to make him dafiy' Here
4 .,o,,,t touch 'em, sir" as the coroner
removed several chess problem dia
.rams. .Mr. Burnham viii raise