Pueblo chieftain., 1921-08-21
MALCOLM SAGE.
DETECTIVE
(BY HERBERT JENKINs0
(BY HERBERT JENKINs)


paper-knife. 1t balanced
He thought Challoner had fallen
asleep in the library" continued Sir
James, which he sometimes did; he is
rather night-owl. Peters then went
, downstairs. but found the library door
locked on the inside. As there was no
response to his knocking, he went
round to the lawn at the back of the
mouse The curtains We're drawn,
however. and he could see nothing"
MaIcoml Sage nodded. and Sir James
resumed his story.
Peters then went upstairs to young
Danes room, Dane is Challoners
nephew. who lives with him. While he
dressed he sent Peters to tell me.
few minutes later we all went
down to the library and tried to attract
Challoner's attention. but without re-
suit. l then suggested forcing an entry
from the garden, which was done by
breaking the glass OF one OF the
French windows.
We found ChalIoner seated at his
table dead. shot thru the head. He
had an automatic pistol in his hand -
Sir James paused. his voice had be-
come husky with emotion Presently
he resumed.
We telephoned for the police and
doctor. and l spent the time until
they came in n thoro examination Of
the room The French windows had
bceH sttiEflN bpAIFu Top ana DCttOIu
from within. by means of central
handle. All the panes Of glass were
Intact, with the exception OF that we
had broken. The door had been locked
or~the inside. and the key was in po-
sition. II was unlocked by Peters when
he went into the hall to telephone. II
has a strong mortice-lock and the key
did not protrude thru to the outer side,
so that there was no chance OF manipu-
.!ating the lock from without.
The doctor was the first to arrive.
At my urgent request he rofrained
from touching the BODY. He said death
had taken place from seven to ten
hours previously as the result of the
bullet wound in the temple. He had
scarcely finished his examination when
an Inspector " police, who had motored
over from Lewes. Joined us.
Tt took him very few minutes to
decide that poor Challoner had shot
himself. In this he was confirmed by
the doctor. sun. | insisted that the
body should not be removed
Why did you do that. Chief" en-
Guircd Malcolm sage.
Because l was not satisfied" was
the reply. There was absolutely no
motive for suicide. Chaiioncr was in
good health and. II I know anything
about men. determined to live as Ions
as the gods give"
Again Malcolm Snge nodded his head
meditativeiy
The jumping to has,y conclusions"
he remarked. has saved many a man
his neck Whom did you leave in
charge" he queried.
The inspector. | locked the door.
here is the key he said. producing It
from his Jacket pocket Il told him to
allow no one into the room
Why were you thercF'' Malcolm sage
suddenly looked up. flashing that keen.
steely look thru his gold-rimmed
.-t. T. a a
disconcertlny. Ordinary visit he
quericd.
No" Sir James paused, apparently
delieereting something In his own
mind. Sic was well acquainted with
Malcolm ssEe's habit OF asking appar-
entity irrelevant questions.
There's been little difficulty be-
tween Challoner and his nephew he
said slowly. Some days back the boy
announced his determination OF marry
ing girl he had met in London. a
typist or secretary. ChsIloner was
greatly upset. and threatened to cut
him out of hts will II he persisted.
There was a scene. several scenes. In
fact. and eventually was sent for as
Chslloner's oldest friend
You advised When kccnly inter
ested, Malcolm Sase's questions were
THAT challonor should wal, and see
the girl"
Did hep"
Again sir James hositated. only for a
fraction OF a second. however.
Yes; but unfortunately with the OBJ
ject Of cndcavoring to buy her off
Yesterday afternoon Dane brought her
over Challoner saw her alone. She
didn't stay more than quarter Of an
hour. Then she and Dane left tho
house together. he to see her to the
station. An hour later he returned. |
k..t Ha 1--we a,
a very excited state. He pushed past
me. burst into tho library. banging the
door behind him.
THAT evening at dinner Challoner
told me there had been very unrleas-
ant scene. He had warned the boy
that unless he apoloEized today he
would telephone to London for his
Lawyer. and make fresh will entirely
disirhortting him Soon after the In
tcrNicw Dane went out OF tho house,
and apparently did not return until
lnte-as a matter OF fact. after I had
gone to bed was feeling tired and
said good might TO Challoner about
! half past ten in the library"
IT'S a pity you let the butler unlock
the door" he remarked regretfully.
sir James looked across at his late
chief of-staff kceuly. He detected
something OF reproach In his tone.
',pid YOU happen to notice II tho
electric liEht was on when YOU entered
the lihrary7'
mo" said Sir James, after slight
pause. 'tt was not
| Malcolm sage reached across to the
private telephone and gave tho three
on the hurEer" that always galvanized
Miss GLADYS Norman into instant vital
| ity.
| Miss Norman said Sage as she en-
| tered. "can YOU lend mo the small
mirror have seen YOU use occasion
| ally7"
Yes Mr sage" and she disap-
pearcd. returning a moment later with
the mirror from her handbag She was
accumtomed to Malcolm sages strange
| requests.
Editors Note Concluding install.
mcnfs ~ this story will he published
Monday and TUESDAY murn'nEsn
! COPYRIGHT 1921 bv Tho Mcclure SYN.
/ diCl'e.