Evening star., 1921-07-22
Der and the inspector scrutinized il

Der and the inspector scrutinlzeo II
carefully.
part Of a cigarette holder. Ell? A
mighty slender one, too. by the curve
Of this fragment. 1t looks as though
u lady"
He paused as McCarty picked up the
broken cigarette from the table and
silently handed 1t to him. 1t was but
little thicker than a straw and bore
In tiny square gold letters the initials
l.. C. c.
They're tho same as on the plati-
mum case in the waistcoat pocket Of
the dead man In the other room there"
McCarty remarked at length.
i've my opinion Of a fellow that
would call thing like that a smoke.
but no matter. Did you take a good
look at the supper table. sir"
pointed out" Inspector Druet had
turned away. Let's have a look up
stairs before the rest go to 1t.
But he was too late. for even as he
spoke the door of the next room open
ed and heavy footsteps could be
heard crossing tho rotunda and
mounting the broad stairs. Like con-
waited until they died away in the
regions above.
Il wonder now what they did with
the young crook 1 caught climbing
out of the Window" McCarty queried
aloud to himself.
Whats that?' Inspector Druet de-
manded.
Briefly. McCarty recounted the
events of the night. and when he had
concluded his companion started for
the door leading into the hall once
more.
Wen have a look at the body and
then join the rest upstairs. This Is
headquarters job ali right, Mac. and
I'm going to take charge
Il thought you would. sir" Nc
Carly heaved a sigh of satisfaction
not unmixed with envy. "At least
you'll not have Terhune with his
scientific stunts and mechanical mind
readers butting In on the case"
How about you yourself?" The
inspector halted and bent a Quizzical
gaze upon his companion. Going to
quit before the end of the first
round?"
"Quit?" McCarty flushed We'll
you know. sir. that I'm not in it ex
cept maybe to testify against the lad
for breaking and entering. I've
nothing to do with the murder nor
the solving of it,"
aren't you. you old .cout?S The
other smiled. I'll swear you in as
a special officer tomorrow. just as
did on the last case you got yourself
mixed up in since you left the force.
Come on. now"
McCarty's eyes shone and he squared
his massive shoulders with proud
elation as they entered the room
where the master Of the house lay.
He was officially at work again. and
the inhabitants of the installment
plan suburban colony in which he
had invested his savings ana from
which he drew his modest revenue
might run the place to suit themselves
until the case was finished. He was
back in the old game!
When they opened the door of the
study they found that it's only occu
pants We're the dead man and the
wrctched youth who still cringed in
his chair. to one arm of which he had
now been securely handcuffed. At
sight Of the inspectors face he uttered
sharp ejaculation and covered
well. well!" Inspector Druer
searched his countenance keenly ut
seems to me we've met before. my
NO. sir! Youse got me wrong-y"
Have 1? We've got you mugged
down at headquarters; I never forget
a face. Have you done time? What's
sS "J9e sr1,Od,n Rod1nsky" the youth NUT, t,
dc reformitory cause de gang trav.
eled Wit swiped some lead pipe. but I
didn't have nottin' to do Wit it! Dis
ls de foist toime-
Never mind: thought 1 had you
right. I'll get your story downtown
later" Inerector Druet turned to Nc
Carly and indicated the body. rs this
the way it was when you saw 1t first.
Mac?"
"Ycs. was the third one to see It
as far as we know; Joe. here. was
don't look as if those fiatfeet upstairs
had disturbed 1t any except that the
gun was lying nearer the hand, al
most touching the fingers-this way"
McCarty stopped and moved the po-
sition of the pistol trifle.
HE sure got his with a vengeance
didn't he?" the inspector remarked
A quick CLEAN Of light came into
McCarty's own eyes.
Maybe he did, sir" he vouch-
safed.
There seems to have been a bit Of
struggle here; look. Mac" The In
spector spoke suddenly.
The strip OF tapestry which lay
along the center Of the refectory tavle
had been pulled na% awry At the S END near
evident that only the heavy lamp
which stood upon 1t had prevented 1t
from being swept to the floor. but
there were no other signs Of disorder
YES. sir" Mccarty agreed. some
what doubtfully. "He wouldn't have
had time to catch at It in falling after
that shot hit him. but maybe who
ever it was did IT might have twisted
that table cover in rage or excitement
"And you think Creveiing was the
sort of man to stand calmly and wait
without raising a hand to defend
himself while his gusst worked his
cwn nerve up to the. point Of muir
der?" The inspector shrugged. Come
along. let's go up and see what the
others have found out"
The patrol wagon clattered up to
the entranc" at that moment and Joe
Bodansky. obviously relieved to be
removed from the immediate vicinity
forbidding a vehicle. was consigned
to the care of its officials.
After 1t had departed the inspector
ard his freshly appointed assistant
mounted the great staircase to be met
at the top, by Clancy and two detec-
The latter were none too pleased to
find an inspector from the central
office already on the Job. but they
, concealed their chagrin with what
diplomacy they could muster.
We've looked in every hole and cor
ner to the very roof and there isn't
a soul about. living or dead. Moth
/ ing's been disturbed. either, and ex-
crpt for two or three Of the servants
rooms it doesn't seem as ii any of
! them had been occupied for some
time. not even the masters own
ara rtments"
/ Mac. here, and I will just have a
| look around. anyway. and join you
and Sam and Clancy below. Pete
! Inspector Druet responded. THE
! commissioner has put me in charge.
+ but 1 may need you both"