The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-08-20

between nlS NiEAI III uehte' '
himself: yet thc#" letters were clear
Is written Ivy III" sam" hand that
addressed those 10 tho girl. her
father AMI !!rr mother.
III Blade were in love with the
girl. what was there 10 prevent him
from pressing his suit along legiti-
mate and accepted lines. Murdy
frankly acknowledges that there has
hcen nothing in Blades outward de-
mranur to suggest thar Miss Crayne
was to him anything more than the
daughter "f lis vicar"
What do ynu max" II 'he story
Of the assault"
AS cvidcnC" il is worthless" re-
piled Malcolm Sage, "nclnS without
confederation. tn" farmland did
not actually sec Blade.
! Having convinced myself that
Blade had nothing TO do with the
writing of The letters. | next tried 10
discover if Their" were anything
. throwing suspicion on others in the
rcighburhoud. who were known 10
. use Wy illIl'. w 40 'i'h'. 'l'~'
The schoolmaster. John Gray, was
ono. lie Is an admirer OF Miss
rravnc. according to local gossip:
but il was Obvious from the first that
he had nothing to do with the affair
One by on" ! eliminated all tho
others. until came back once more
To Blade.
1T was rlea- that the lot - We're
written with Il fUuntain-p"n, and
Blade always uses one. That. how
ever. is not evidence, as millions OF
people use tnuntain-pens. BY the
way. what il your line nf defcnceT
' h" inquired.
Smashing the handwriting cx'
perts." was the reply.
The ASSAULT" queried Malcolm
Sage.
There I'm done" said Freynes
for although Miss Crayne's evidence
Is not PROOF it will be sufficient fol
a jury. ErSidrS, she's very pretty
and charming girl. suppose" hC
,hdpd. "E.a,ic must have made som,
7nrt OF declaration, which she. ir
No light ri the anonymous letters
'"tircly misunderstood"
What does he say?"
denies II absolutely, although III
dtnits being in the ncighborhood q
the 'Gipsics Wood. and actually
catching sight Of Miss Crayne in tn,
distance: but he says he did no
speak to her"
rs he gong into the witness box
"Certainly": then after pause Il,
added, "Kelton is prosecuting, AM
he's ns moral as n swan. He'll ap
peal to !he jury as fathers OF daugh
ters. and brothers OF sisters"
II have asked Murdy TO com,
round" said Malcolm Sage. Il thinl
that was his ring"
Good evening. Mr.. Sage" cried
Murdy Cherrlully. "C0nCratulltion.
on the Adair business. Good eve
ming. sir he added. as he SHOOK
hands with Frcynes.
well, what do you think OF it,
nc inquired looking from Malcolm
Sage TO F>revncs. IT'S a clear cas-,
now, I think"
You mean It's Blade?" inquired
Malcolm Sage.
! who else?" inquired the inspec
tor.
That is the question which in
wolves your being here now. Murdy,
said Malcolm Sage dryly.
We've got three handwriting ex
pcrts behind u.s." said the inspector
That Is precisely where they
should be-" rctorted Malcolm Sag,
quietly. I'm the biblical sense. YOl
have done as | suggested"
Here are all the letters received
up 10 4 fortnight ago" said the in.
spcctor, holding out a bulky packet
Those received since have each
been sealed up separately by the
vira, who Is keeping half OF them
whilst ! have the other half; bu,
really. Mr.. Sage. I don't under
! stand"
' Thank you, Murdy," said Malcolm
, Sage. as he took the packet. 1t is
! always pleasure to work with Scot.
! land Yard. 1t Is so thorough.
! Without word Malcolm Sage
left the room, taking the packet
with him.
! When he returned, he found them
discussing the prospects Of Dempsey
dEainst Carpenter.
Handing back the packet OF letters
N,r6I- Malcolm So0a
resumed his seat, and proceeded to
rc-liGht his pipe.
Spotted the culprlt, Mr.. Sage?"
inquired the inspector.
, II think so, was the quiet reply
You might meet me at Gylston
Vlcarage tomorrow at three. I'll
telegraph 10 Blade to be there too
You had better bring the school
master also"
/ You mean" began the inspector.
Exactly" said Malcolm Sage. ATS
past eleven. and we all require sleep.
Tho next afternoon the study OF
the vicar of Gylstop presented q
strange appearance.
Seated at Mr.. Crayne'H writing
tab!" was Malcolm Sage a small at
tache-casc ut his side. whilst before
him were several piles OF sealed
packets. Grouped about the room
were Inspector Murdy. Robert
F'rcyncs. Mr.. Gray. and the vicar.
With quiet elaboration Malcolm
Sage opened the attaChe-case and
produced n spirit lamp, which he
lighted. lie then placed n metal
! plate upon 4 rest above the flame.
On this he imposed thicker plate
/ Of n similar metal that looked like
steel: but it had Il handle across the
middle, rather resembling that Of a
tool used by plasterers.
Il should Ike Miss Crarnc TO be
present" he said.
! AS he spuk" the door opened and
, the Curatc entered his dark. hand
some face lined and Carcworn. II
was obvious that he had suffered.
He bowed, and then looked about
him. without any suggestion Of en-