Evening star., 1921-07-17

with ill-disguised impatience. "you can
remove the body: but leave the pistol.
Give Mr.. Challoner's keys to Sir James.
And now l think we might lunch, ne
said. turning to Sir James. Is
As Malcolm Sage left the room the
inspector shrugged his shoulders. The
whole thing was so obvious that, but
for the presence Of Sir James Walton.
he would have refused to delay the re-
moval of the body. The doctor had pro-
nounced the wound self-inficted. and
even II he had not done so. the circum-
stantial evidence was conclusive.
Luncheon was eaten in silence. a
Malcolm Sage ate as he always ate
entire Indifference as to what was on
lifted. -.
Sir James made several ineffectual
efforts to draw Dane into CONVEX
saticn: but at each remark the young
man started violently. as If suddenly
recalled to his s~surround1nss Finally
Sir James desisted, and the meal
concluded in abysmal silence.
Malcolm Sage the anhoHnced that
he would examine the various mem.
bcrs of the househoiu. and Dane and
Peters left the room.
One by one. the servants entered,
were interrogatrd. and oeoarteh
Even the<gardener and his wife, who
lived at the lodge. bv the main gate,
were 4cross-Qu estioned.
Mrs, Trenaett. the housekeeperr was
IN her voIubIe anxfetv 70
give information. The maids were al.
most too frightened to speak, and
from none was anything tangible ex-
tracted.
near the library, late at night.
When Peters turn came he told
his story with a clearness and econ.
omy of words that~caused Malcolm
Sage mentally. to register him as
good witness. He was a : superior
kind of man. who had been. in his
present. position only some six
given every: satisfaction so much SO
that Mr.. Cha1loner had remarked to
Sir James that he believed he had
found a treasure.
a ~ *
A ccoRD1Nc to Peters. account. At .
~ quarter-past eleven on the pre-
vious evening he had gone to the libra
ry. as was his custom. to see: If there
were anything else that Mr.. Chai-
loner required before he locked up
for the night. On being. told there
was nothing. he had accordingly seen
to the fastenings of doors and WIN
dows and gone to bed.
What was Mr.. Challoner doing
when you entered the room ?" i'll
sign he was drawing upon the surface
of the salt:
He was sitting at the table where
found him this morning.
What was he-actually doing?"
81 think he was checking his bank
''"Di Did W You notice anything strange
about his manner?' a.
NO. SIR =
when. you found that his bed had
not been slept in were you surprised?'
Not greatly; sir" was. the re re.
happened, and l heard from the other
servants that on several occasions
Mr.. Challoner had spent the night in
the library, having fallen asleep
there
when you told Mr. Dane that his
that, the library door was locked fon
the inside, what did he say?"
He said, : Good Lord! Peters,
something must have happened.
Mr. Dane knew that on previous
occasions his uncle had spent the
night in, his study2"' inquired NAL
colin Sage &
,'.E thinn so, SIR" was the response,
"The pistol was one he used at tar
get practice. a 'a.
"Yes, sir" -=-.... ~
'rwhere did he keep it?"
I'm the third right-ha9d drawer OF
his table; sir"
do you know of any reason why
Mr.. Challoner should commit .suicide?"
Malcolm Sage inquired of Peters.
'None whatever. sir; he always
seemed very happy" -. fs
I'VE had no domestic worrtes? ,....
Peters hesitated for a moment. 2
He never mentioned any to me, sir. !"
'You have In mind certain events that
occurred during the past few days. l
take it?" said Malcolm Sage. ES
THAT was in my mind. SIR was the
response.
"You know of no other way by which
any one could have got into the library
and then out again. other than through
the door or the Window
There is no other way. sir"
WHO has access to the library In the
ordinary way? Tell me the names Of
everybody who is likely to go in at any
Outside Mr.. challoner and Mr.. Dane.
there Is myself. Mrs. Trennett. the
hoIseheeper' l,s x !: and Meston' the house
:No one else?'' -
mo one. sir. except. Of course, the
guests. who might be staying in the
house.,
"T.shall want the nnser-prints Of all
those you have named, including yours.
| Sir James," Malcolm Sage looked across
at Sir James Walton. IT can then fdena
tify those of any stranger that may
find" Sir James nodded.
'It would be quite easy for Mr.. Chal-
loner to- let any one in through the
French windowsr, inquired Malcolm
sage: turning once moro to Peters.
! "ouite, sir" s1!.
What, time did Mr.. Dane return last
VI think about q quarter To-; II.
sir. He went straight to his room.
."That. viii be all now. Tell Mr. Dkne
should like. to see him.: {
:. Peters noiselessls withdrew. -,