The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-08-13

the Malcolm Sag Bureau. that con-
corning the death % Professor James
McMurray. the eminent psychologist.
vas perhaps the most extraordinary
Il was possessed OF several remark
able features: FOR one thing the muir
derer had disappeared. leaving no
clue: for another the body when
found seemed TO have undergone a
strange change, many ~ the profess
sor's SiXty-hve years appearing %
have dropped from him in death as
leaves from an autumn tree.
II was one Of those strange crimes
for which there is no apparent eH-
PLANTATION, consequently the strong
est weapon the investigator has, that
OF motive. was absent. As far as
could DO gathered the dead professor
had not an enemy in the world. He
was a semirecluse. with nothing
about him to tempt the burglar: yet
he had been brutally done to death
in his own laboratory. ard the muir
derer had made good his escape with
OUT leaving anything likely 10 prove
helpful TO the police.
Our day as Gladys Norman, like
painting Time" toiled after her work
in vain striving 10 tap herself up TO
date WIKI an accumulation OF corre-
Hpunderce, two men passed through
her room. They formed striking
,nntrast, Sir John Dene short. thick
set alert. with the stamp OF the
Ycst-End upon all he wore; Sir
Jasper Chambers tall, raunt and
,.ingy. with forehead like the
tulrlnc caves OF an EliZabethan
i.ouSe. and the lower portion OF his
face l riot OF short grizzled grey
hair that seemed to know neither
coercion nor restraint. His neck APP
neared intent on thruSting itself as
Jar as possible out OF the shabby
trock coat that hung despairinSly
from his narrow shoulders.
"Mornin', Mr.. Sage" cried Sir John
Dene. This is Sir Jasper Cham
bsrs." Sir John Dene turned to his
companion. You'll be able to place
him."
I've brought Sir Jasper along"
said Sir John Dene. you've heard
about the murder Of his friend FRO
lessor McMurray. He didn't want 10
come: but told him you'd be tickted
to death, and that you'd get II all
figured out for him in two wags or
q chipmunk's tall"
The McMurray Murder was the
sensation Of the hour. Four days
previously, Professor James McMur-
ray Of Gorling, in Essex. had been
found dead in his laboratory. MS
head feactully battered in by some
blunt instrument
Eight days later. when the puuer
took the professors luncheon down
to the laboratory. he noticed that the
breakfast. tray had not been removed
from the shelf just inside the wicket
Al dinner-time the butler was
greatly surprised To find that notn
breakfast and luncheon had re-
NAMED as he had left them: still'
remembering how definite and IN
sls,ent the professor had been that
hs was not 10 be disturbed, the but-
Ter had. after consulting with the
housekeeper, decided TO do nothing
for the moment, and contented NM
self with ringing several times the
electric bell that vas the signal OF
another meal.
An hour later he went once more
70 the wicket. only 10 discover that
nothing had been touched. Hurry
ing back to the house with all speed
he had conferred with Mrs. Graham
cnce, he had telephoned TO the police
Sergeant Crudden OF the Essex
County Constabulary Immediately
hicycled over to The Hollows' FRO
lessor McMurray's residence ana
after hearing the buffers story ne
had decided to force the door.
To the officers surprise the door
Welded readily. having apparently
been previously forced. Entering tne
laboratory he was Mortified 10 dis
cover the body Of the professor iyins
in the centre OF the floor, his heac
literally smashed by terrible o'ow
that had obviously been delivered
from behind.
The police had made no statement;
but there were some extraordinary
rumors current In the neiGhoorhood
One vas to the effect that 1t was not
Professor McMurray's body that hac
been discovered; but that OF muc'
younger man who bore striking
resemblance to him.
You have seen the accounts o.
my friends terrible end?" inquired
Sir Jasper. as he took the box o.
matches Malcolm Sage handed MN
and proceeded to light his pipe. HI
WAS about 70 enter upon series o.
experiments with serum nc nae
discovered, his object being L
lengthen human life.
You were the last 10 see him alive
understand" Malcolm Sage picke<
I'D his fouutain-pen and began M
elaborate stippie design OF a serpen
upon the blotting pad.
Eight days before he was found
dlned with him." said Sir Jasper MI
voice a little unsteady.
What happened?" Malcolm Sag
inquired without looking up.
II arrived at seven o'clock" con
tinued Sir Jasper. Prom then unit
half past we talked upon things O
general interest. after which :"
dtned. Later he told me ne wa
about 20 enter upon final series O
experiments. the result Of whic'
would, In all probability. either b
fatal 10 himself, or mean the length
.ning Of human life.
Did ne seem quite normnl?" In
quired Malcolm Sage. adding p''
OF formidable fangs TO his reptile
He was calm and confident. a
parting he told me l should be tn
first 20 know the result"
He was confident ot the success
Of his experiments?
Absolutely"
And you were TO be tho first Ia b
told OF the result Of the expert