Evening star., 1921-07-17
LEASE, sir, Miss Norman's
- tainted" William johnson,
known to his colleagues as

coIm Saee's door, with widened eyes
and a general air that bespoke helpless
ness.
Without a word Malcolm Sage rose
from his table, as If accustomed all his
life 10 the fainting Of secretaries. En-
tering her room, he found Gladys NOR
man lying in heap beside her type
writer, Picking her up, ne carried her
into his own room, placed her in an
armchair, fetched some brandy from
small cupboard, and, still watched by
the wide-eyed William johnson, pro-
ceeded to force little between her
teeth. -
Presently her lids fiickered and mo-
ment later she opened sher eyes. For
second there was in them look OF un-
certainly. then suddenly they opened TO
their fullest extent and became fxed
upon the door beyond. Malcolm sage
glanced over his shoulder and saw
framed in the doorway Sir James
Walton.
gaze returning to the girl sitting Imply
in the large leather covered armenian.
'.f shall be free in moment
As Miss Norman made an enort 10
rise. he placed a detaining hand upon
her arm.
"Send Mr. Thompson"
With a motion of his hand Malcolm
Sage indicated to William johnson th2t
the dramatic possibilities OF the situa-
tion were exhausted, at least as iar as
he was concerned.
When Thompson entered Malcolm Sage
instructed him to move the leather
covered chair into Miss Norman
room and. when she was rested. to take
rhnn,n.on.s faca eamAd His deyo-
ton to Gladys Norman was notorious:
The girl rose and raised to Malcolm
Sage a pair of dark eyes from which
tears were not far distant
gan, her lower lip trembling orninously.
1--WE never done such. thing BEFORE
1--WE been working y0u too hard. ne
said. as he held back the door. You
must go home and rest.
She shook her head and passed out
while Malcolm Sage returned to his
seat at the table,
'Working till 2 o'clock this morn
ing" he remarked as he resumed his
seat "She won't have assistance.
musingly. but beautifully loyal
Sir James had dropped into q chair
on the opposite side of Malcolm Sage's 8
table. Having selected a cigar from
the box his late chief Of stan pushed
across to him. he cut on the end and
Good cigars these" he remarked.
as he critically examined the lighted
end.
They're your own brand, chief"
was the reply. Malcolm Sage always
used the old name of chief when
addressing Sir James Waltop.5 1t
seemed to constitute a link W4h the
old war days when they rad Worked
together with harmony that had
bewildered those heads OF depart
IAI NTal l,p
Sage as something between a punish
ment and misfortune. 70 -r
& II II Of, s....
TOR some seconds they were silent.
1t was like old times to be seated
one on each side of table. and both
seemed to realize the fact.
I've. just motored up from Hurst
church, "sbegan Sir James at length.
having assured himself that his cigar
, was drawing as a goed cigar should
! draw.
Been staying with an old friend of
mine. Geoffrey Challpner.':sn .-. q,
Malcolm Sage nodded :" T7z sr
"He was shot last might. That's
why I'm here" He paused. but
Malcolm Sage made no comment. His
, whole attention was absorbed in an
! ivory paper knife, which he was."en-
deavoring to balance upon the handle
Of the silver inkstand. ,,srssa
AT half.past : this s., morning. &.
butler. knocked at Challoner's door
with his shaving water. AS there
was no reply he entered and found.
not only that Challoner was not there.
but that the bed had not been slept in
overnight" "a 80
Malcolm lifted his hands ,frbm the
paper knife. 1t balanced. f,u.,
"He thought Challoner had fallen
asleep in the library continued Sir
James. (which he sometimes did; he
, went downstairs but found the
library door locked on the inside. AS
there was no response to his knock
ing, he went round to the lawn at
the back of the house. The curtains
were drawn. however. and he could
see nothing"
Malcolm Sage nodded, and Sir
James resumed his story. ..
Peters then went upstairs to
young Danes room: Dane is Chal-
1oner'S nephew, who lives with him.
While he dressed he sent Peters to
tell me.
"a few minutes later we all went
down to the library and tried to at
tract Challoners attention; but with
out result. l then suggested forcing
an entry from the garden. which was
done by breaking the glass of one of
I'VE found Charloner seated at his
table dead. shot throught the head.
He had an automatic pistol in his
hand" Sir James paused; his voice
had become husky with emotion.
Presently he resumed.
We telephoned for the police and
a doctor. and 1 spent the. time until
they came in thorough examina-
tfon of the room. The French WIN
dows had been securely bolted top
and bottom from within by means of
central handle. All the panes of
ton of that we had broken. The
door had been lockel on the inside.
and the key was in position. 1t was
unlocked by Peters when he went
into the hall to telephone. 1t has
q strong mortice-lock and the key
did not protrude through TO the other
side, so that there was no chance of
manipulating the lock from without.
THE doctor was the first to arrive.
At my urgent request he refrained
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 of police, who
had motored over from Lewes, Joined
us.
"It took him very few minutes to
decide that poor Challoner had shot
himself. In this he was confirmed
by the doctor. Still I insisted that
the body should not be removed"
why did you do that, chief?" en-
auired Malcolm Sage.
Because / was not satisfied" was
the reply. There was absolutely no
motive for suicide. Challoner was In
about men. determined to live as long
ns the Ood9 give"