Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-01-28
THE MIDDLETEMPLE MURDER
Detective Story BY J. S, Fletcher

as sure of that as / am that my names
| William Webster. That's the man I
saw talking to him whose picture you've
got IN your paper. Can't say no more,
Very good" said spargo. "I'm
much obliged to you. I'll see Mr.. Ayl-
more. Leave me your address in Lon :
remain in town?'
tel, Bloomsbury, sir, and I shall be
there for another week." answered the
farmer. Hope I've been of some use,
Mr.; Spargo. AS I says to my wife,
Spargo cut his visitor short in polite
fashion and bowed him out. He turned
to Breton, who still stood staring at
the album of portraits.
There what did tell you? he
said. Didn't | say I should get some
news? There it is" -
Breton nodded his head. He seemed
thoughtful.
E., Yes" he agreed. eyes, I say,
"Well?"
'Mr. Anymore is my prospective
father law, you know" -
Quite aware of it. Didn't YOU in .
troduce me to his daughtcrs-only yes
| terday?" go
,,,,' "But-Lhow s,how did you know they were
Spargo laughed as he sat dowr to his
desk. ,--.'' .'
lnstinct-intuition.' he answered.
However, never mind that. Just now.
Well-l've found something out. Mar
bury-if that is the dead mans real
name. and anyway, it's all VIC know
nm by--was in the company of Mr..
Aylmore that night. Good ="
what are you going TO do about
it?' asked Breton.
DO? See Mr. Aylmorc,. of course. "
He was turning over the leaves of a
telephone address book one hand had
already picked up the mouthpiece of
the instrument on his desk.
Look here said Breton. II know
found at IL o'clock. At the A. and
P.--the Atlantic and Pacific Club, YOU
know, in st. Jamcs's. IL you like,
I'll go with you"
Spargo glanced at the clock and laid
down the telephone.
"a i right he said. 'IIlevcr
O'Clock now. I've something to do. I'll
meet YOU outside the A. and p. at
exactly noon.
"Ill be there agreed Breton. lie
on it, turned. What do YOU expect
from-,from what we've just hcard?'
he asked.
Spargo shrugged his shoulders
wait until we hear what Mr.. Ayl.
more has to say he answered. ~
suppose this man Marbury was some
old acquaintance.
Breton closed the door and went
away. Left alone, Spargo began to
mutter to himself.
Good God"' he says. ''Dairsworth
-Painsworth--so something Of that sort
ono of the two. Excellent--that our
farmer friend should have SO much OBJ :
servation. All !-and why should Mr..
Stephen Aylmorc be recognized as
DaiDsworth or Painsworth or some
thing of that sort. Now, who is Mr..
Stephen Aylmore--beyond being what
l know him to be?' "
Spargos fingers went instinctively to
ore of number of books of reference
which stood on his desk !; they turned
with practiced swiftness to n page over
which his eye ran just as swiftly. He
read aloud:
"Aylmore. Stephen. NJ. =. for Brook :
minister since 1910. Residences: % st.
Osythe Court. Kensington: Buena Wis
ia, Great NARROW. Member Atlantic
and Pacific and City venturcrs' Clubs.
Interested in South American enter
prise.
"Um!' muttered Spargo, putting the
book away. That's not very illumin
ating. However, we've got one move
finished Now we'l make another"
Going over the album of photographs
Spargo deftly removed that of Mr.. Ayl
more, put it in an envelope and the
envelope in his pocket and. leaving the
Office, hailed Il taXicab and ordered it,
driver to take him to the Anglo Orient
Hotel. This was the something to do
of which he had spoken to Breton
Spargo wanted to do it alone.
Mrs. Walters was in her low win
dowed office when Spargo entered the
hall; she recognized him at once and
motionel him into her parlor
II remember you" said Mrs. Wal
ters: '"you came with the detective
Mr.. Rathbury."
Have YOU seen him, sincc?' asked
Spargo. ,, ,,,.,.',.
"No-and was wondering If he'd be
coming round. because-----' she paused
there and looked at Spargo with par :
ticular enquiry ou're friend OF
his, aren't you?" she asked Il sup
pose you know as much as he does
about this?'
"He and l." replied Spargo, with
easy confidence, "are working this case
together. You can tell me anything
you'd tell him." -.
CONTINUED TOMORROW