The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1921-05-11
CHAPTER VII

Stuart personally admitted Dunbar
and once more the Inspector found
himself IN the armchair In the study.
The fire was almost out and the
room seemed 10 b. chilly.
Inspector Stuart begin. ~I find
II difficult 10 tell you the facts which
have recently come TO my knowledge
bearing upon this mysterious 'Scor.
plon' case. clearly perceive now
that without being aware Of the fact
l have nevertheless been concerned
In the case for nj least a week"
"a fortnight ago" stuart contin.
ued. II found myself In the ncishbor.
hood Of tho West India Docks. had
been spending the evening with a
very old friend. chief officer Of liner
IN dock. Declining the offer OF a
berth on board. came ashore de-
termlnsd TO make my way home by
tram and afoot
1T was just ~ was crossing
Limehouse Causeway that | observed.
to my establishment. the head lamps
of q cab or car shining on, from a
dark and forbldding thorofare which
led down to the river. walked
along TO where Il stood and found
tina, II was . taxicab ana apparently
for hire.
-'Arc you disensagedr said to
the man
-'weIi. str. suppose I am was
his curious reply. Where do you
want to gor
'I gave him the address and he
drove me home.
Il had forgotten an about him
when. I believe on the foIlo~ tng
night. he returned In the character
OF = patient. lie had \ badly darn
aged skull and gathered that he
had had an accident with his cab
and had been pitched out into the
road.
when I had fired him up, he
asked me to do him a small favor
From inside his tunlc he pulled out
n long stiff envelope. bearing no al.
drees but the number 30 In big red
letters.
"a gentleman left this behind in
the cab today. SIR said the man.
Then why not take II 10 Scotland
Yard7' I asked Isn't that the prop.
er courseT
"Tt is he admitted
But what on earth DO you want
10 leave II with me for?' I asked.
-'Seif-protcction.' was the reply
They can't say I meant 70 pinch III
Whereas. directly there's any In.
quiry I can come and collect II and
get tho reward: and your word viii
back me up II any questions are
asked: that's II you don't mind. sir.
II told him I didn't mind In the
least. and accordingly scaled the
envelope In a yet larger one which
addressed TO the Lost Property OF
flee and put into a private drawer OF
my bureau You will have no objeo
ton ! said. TO this being posted Il
II isA't reclaimed within q reasonable
timer
He said that would BE- all right
and eparted--since which moment
have not set eyes upon him
ION the evening Of the following
day a lady called professionally. She
awaited my return here. In this room
She came again two days later. Tho
name she gave was an odd one
MademoIseile Dorian. There In her
card"-Stuart opened 4 drawer and
laid visiting card before Dunbar
mo initials and no address. She
Travelled In a large and handsome car
Last night there was a singular
development, and tonight matters
came 10 a head"
Theroupon Stuart related an briefly
an possible the mysterious episode OF
the cowled man. and finally gave m
account OF the last visit OF Mile
Dorian.
And there concluded Stuart, "on
the blotting pad. lies the sealed
enveioper'
Dunbar took II up eagerly.
"In the circumstances, inspector.
think you would be justified in open.
ing both envelopes" said Stuart
Inspector Dunbar took up the long
envelope and with
a paper-knife which lay upon the
table slit one end open. inserting
two fingers he drew out the second
envelope which tho first enclosed. II
was an ordinary commercial envelope
only notable by reason OF the mum.
Der. 30. appearing In large red fig
urss upon II and because II was
sealed with black wax bearing a
weird looking device.
Stuart bent over him intcntiy az
he slit this envelope In turn. Again,
he inserted two fingers--and brought
forth the sole contents a
plain piece OF cardboard
lCnuiiniINd T0m011xyxA