Evening star., 1921-08-14

apply only in the very unlikely event
of some one meeting with unquailfled
SUE cess That is to say. by the as
c,very of a serum that would achieve
what the Spaniards hoped OF the
fountain of eternal youth, an in
Simultaneous transformation from age
to youth"
ss1t.s up to you. Mr.. Sage, to get
on the murderer's TRAIL" said Sir
John Dene at length, with the air or
a man who has no doubt as to the
result.
You wish me to take up the case
Sir Johng" inquired Malcolm Sage.
sure" said Sir John Dsne as he he
rose. "rn take it as art tHutar
favor if you will. Now - must M
He ierked himself to his feet and
extended a hand to Malcolm sage:
Then turning to Sir Jasper. who had
also risen, he added. You leave 1t TO
Mr. Sage. Sir Jasper. Before ions
you won't see him for dust. He's
about the livest wire this side of the
St. Lawrence
Johnnie" said Miss Norman, as
William Johnson entered her room in
response to peremptory call on
the private telephone, inspector
Carton is to honor us with call
during the next few minutes. Give
him a chair and a copy of the Sun
day at Home. and watch the clues as
buzz buzz or ar '0@ ms
A quarter of an hour later he held
open the door of Malcom Sage's pri-
vate room to admit Inspector Carton.
"I got your message, Mr.. Sage, he
began, as he Topped into a chair on
the opposite side of Malcolm Sase's
| table. This McMurray case Is a
teaser. 1 shall be glad to talk 1t
over with YOU"
II am acting on behalf of Sir Jas
per Chambers" said Malcolm Sage.
Its very kind of you to come round
so promptly, Carton" he added.
Not at all, Mr.. Sage" said Inspec-
tor Carton. always glad to do what
we can, although we are supposed to
be a bit old-fashioned."
I've seen all there is in the pa
pers," said Malcolm Sage. Are there
any additional particulars?"
There's one thing we haven't told
the papers. and it wasn't emphasized
leaned forward impressively. "The
doctor says that the professor had
been dead for about forty -eight
hours. whereas we know he'd eaten
dinner about twenty-six hours be-
fore he was found"
!ou challenged MIN ne Querled.
Rather" was the response, but
he got quite ratty. Said he'd stake
his professional reputation and all
that sort of thing. Then there was
another thing that struck me as odd.
The professor had evidently been de-
stroying lot of old correspondence.
The paper-basket was full of turn-up
letters and envelopes and the crate
was chock-a-block with charred paper.
That also we kept to ourselves"
THAT alp
IT think so,'' was the reply There's
find"
Il see," said Malcolm Sage, looking
at a prosecuting lying before him,
that 1T says there was a remarkable
change in the professors appearance.
He seemed to have become rejuve-
mated"
"The doctor said that sometimes
death smites with a velvet hand He
was rather a poetic sort Of chap" the
inspector added by way of explana-
tion.
sVAIHAT I want to know is wha.
w was the professor doing while
the door was being broken open?"
There were no signs Of a strug-
gle?" inquired Malcolm Sage. drawing
a cottage upon his thumbnail.
"None. He seems to have been at
tackled Unexpectedly from behind"
What do you want me to do. Mr..
Sage" inquired the inspector at
length.
II was wondering whether you
would run down with me this after
noon to Gorling."
I'D be delighted" was the hearty
response.
"The laboratory has been locked
up?"
"Yes: and I've sealed the door.
Nothing has been touched"
THANK you. Carton. Be here at
half-past two"
That afternoon. accompanied by In
spector Carton, Malcolm Sage motored
down to the Hollows, which lies at
the easternmost end of the village of
Gorling.
The Inspector stopped the car just
as it entered the drive. Malcolm Sage
had expressed q wish to see the lab
oratory first.