Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-05-23
AND HERE IT CONTINJ ES
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NT THOUGHT as murh.

L inspector. and he turned on Keith
a slow gaze that said very plainly.
"Now. are you merely an accom-
plice-or are you the murderer your
self"
81 think 7 had better tell you what
know" remarked Keith
'Ycs, yes agreed the Inspector.
'Yes. One thing. Do you think Rich
ard Wentworth has done this
With a slight gesture Of one hand
be indicated the dead man, and Keith
shook his head.
"Why note tho inspector asked
"Ncll. | don't" Keith said
'I see. answered the Inspector stol
Idly. "Well, please toll US evcrythiug'
you know about this business. Cut il .
as short as you can. but don't leave
anything out Oh. and begin at the be
ginning
Obeying these instructions ns we'll a.
he could. Keith told his story and the
two officials listened impassivcly. the
sergeant taking notes in shorthand the
while. 1t was n long, and involved
story, though Keith told it as briefly
as he could. and during it he saw more
than once inspector and sergeant OK
change swift. incredulous glanccs.
When he had finished there was
silence for a little. broken soon by the
I hooting of motor horn at little
Z distance.
Il think that's Captain Wallace.
your note to him. he explained to
Keith, "and he has come on. We had
better go and meet him, and see what
action he thinks ought to be taken
They left the body lying where it was
till arrangements could be made for its
removal and retraccd their steps
through the wood till they came out
near the house where the newcomer
Captain Wallace. the chief constable of
the county, had just arrived. He was
a tall, military looking man. with a
DfOIlLPu anu NtlN uulths VI lShi
authoritative manner, and he was "A
good organizer and disciplinarian with.
, however. very little idea of or expert
Aence in detective work. Keith noticed
that he had brought three constables
with him, and Inspector Wilks. telling
Keith to wait little apart, went for
ward and engaged in a long talk with
his superior. Then they went together
to Reenie and asked her number of
questions. She answered very reluc-
tantly and indifferently, but that served
to confirm Keith's story in some of its
details.
Sergeant Price had vanished from the
scene, but two of the stalwart constables
kept always very near to Keith and
watched him closely, so that he felt he
was already practically prisoner.
After tipe Captain Wallace and In
spector wilks came back TO Keith, and
the captain said:
''The inspector has repeated your ex-
traordinary story to me, and, frankly,
I am not very much inclined to believe
it. 1t may be true
'HThank you for thinking So inter
posed Keith, whose mood was beginning
to grow angry and reckless.
'.-but we require some proof con-
tinued the captain, frowning at the in
terruption. "As l understand it, you
say the murder of Mr.. Wentworth has
been committed by some being of which
YOU give no description and have no Ger
K tain knowledge but believe to inhabit
this wood. | must say that, on the face
Of it, it appears more likely that the
criminal is the disinherited nephew you
tell us about. i am afraid | must add
there appears to be reasonable suspicion
that you have acted as his accOmplice. "
'Am ! under arrest?' inquired
Keith.
"No," said the captain, mo, not at
present, unless you make it necessary
for us to take that step"
~ see," said Keith, ''you mean | am
really but that Tou wish to avoid the
+ responsibility of formal action"
This was SO palpable hit that the
captain looked slightly taken aback and
heAitated.
.tYoung man." said the inspector Sc
yerely, ''you are in a very serious posi-
ton, and you will not do yourself any
good by adopting that sort of tone. You
had better realize that. "
s'My dear sir, retorted Keith, II am
ia 80 serious position that care very
little what tone adopt or whether do
7 myself any good or not.
'"rhat will do interposed Captain
Wallace sharply. II don't think. Mr..
: Norton. that | am justified in placing
roa nnsier arrest at this moment, but
my opinion may ehange-and will
ebange II you do not give us every as
ristnnee in your power.
F. IT was Ia order TO do so that | sent
4ur sou,' remarked Keith. Permit
,np & remark that II l We're guilty
. ,..-... ,.a.II<i hn,n i,laffal myself beyond