The evening world., 1921-06-29

meE feh know never croaked guy
in my life"
Il know you never did, unless It
was last night But there was muir
cleanT
Chicago Mike shook his head.
I don't know what yeh're tslkin'
about. G'wan an leave me alone.
I'm tired an sick. Come back II yeh
want to, but this here seeants Is
over"
Not another word would he say, and
McClue knew that 1t was useless try
ing to pump out anything further
rrti, the fellow had had time to de-
eide upon line of action.
Believing that he had done a good
days work, the Ferret started back
for the Towers by the way he had
come.
There was also the snuff box found
at the foot of the stairs. Reaching the
laboratory and finding that Louns-
bury was not about, McClue decided
that it was a good time to see just
what sort Of snuff the box had con-
tanned. Copious traces of white pow
der suggested arsenic rather than to-
bacco, and he had not forgotten that
a poisoned dog remained to be ac-
counted for.
Seating himself at a convenient
table. the detective lighted a spirit
lamp, crumbled some charcoal from
the burned match with few grains
of the white powder, put the mixture
on the point of q knife and plunged
it into the fame. The test was posi-
tive.
At this moment he CHANGED to look
up-and confronted the steady, ex-
pressionless eyes of his servant. Yen
Hui.
II come see why no eat him Lunch"
explained the Oriental.
I'D forgotten it. Think you could
rustic around and get me bit before
dinner!"
81 go fetch light away
Yen Hui departed-so stealthily
that he left the impression of hDving
faded away. McClue returned to his
chemistry.
Certainly Lounsbury kept a re-
markable collection Of chemicals. 1t
even yielded sulphomolybdic acid
which, when mingled with the pow
der turned it an intense crimson,
changing gradually to green and
finally to sapphire blue.
See that?" he cried, turning to Yen
Hui, who had again approached I'M
nnnounced-this time bearing a tray
heavily loaded with eatables. you
savvy magic? I've just discovered
that there is very bad man some
where in the world"
Plenty bad man everywhere"
Queer customer. that Chink,
thought McClue. as he fell to work
with knife and fork: land 1 guess
he's right. I know I'd hate to be the
one he thinks poisoned his dog"
But 1t was very quiet and COM
Portable in the laboratory, and by the
time he had finished eating and was
enjoying cigarette a strange vague
ness had come over his id &. A
pleasant vagueness it was, too, and
did not interfere in the least with the
sharpness of series OF gorgeously
colored but meaningless images
which began TO float before his
imagination No longer in the mood
FOR serious mental work, he felt
lazily happy and rather wished for
some one to talk to- The entrance OF
Lounsbury seemed particularly we'll
timed.
Just the man was looking for"
declared McClue. II wanted to ask
you-let me sea thousand things"
"Right-o"
You see," McClue went on. doubt :
fully, like a man who has already
forgotten what he meant to say, rive
been wondering-that is-oh, yes,-
l wanted to know about the wiring
in this house."
IT'S the newest system" responded
the other.
And from the main board YOU can
work the bedroom lights-even those
mat are turned off at the fixtures -
, NO, you can't. But who turns n
: light off at The fixture when there is
a button in the wall?
And the buttons don't interfere
with the main switch?"
Certainly not. A man at the main
; switch last night could have done
I just what he evidently did do. Is tn l,
what you wanted to know"
Not exactly" responded the de-
i. tective, wondering why ne wanted ia
,, whistle and why he felt no interes,
,, whatever in I.ounshury's answers. az
wanted to know what you were do
inc with camera In the card room. .
81 sometimes shoot scenes from
there" said the photographer.
' And sometimes you take look al
what Is going on-eh, old scout -
|. The Ferret got up from his seat and
slapre I'd his friend heartily on the
shoulder, aware as he did so that he
4 was not behaving like himself
Lounsburv responded to this a.
7 vance by quick, questioning glance
4 Then as the detective went back &c
: his chair he laughed.
you've been feeding yourself rather
we'll haven't you, Mac?"
why, I don't know. The Chink
q that Farlow gave me did bring In a
pretty good spread"
0 yen Hui? Are you going TO have
/ him in here with us?"
i mot IL you don't wish II, SON"
Q "Oh. don't mind. But l euess III
Il carries the key TO the cellar, all right
Meaning that he served me Will
: mighty good bottle Of wine?"
| or McClue's recently acquired dua
! personality. the half that stood asid,
h and watched was inclined to resent
g the insinuation carried by the photo
o grapher's remark. But the other Nc,
: Clue suddenly felt very sleepy i
. was simply impossible for him tc
9 keep awake.
:: Lounsbury watched while the detec.
!, tive spread his arms ont on the tabl,
q among the dishes and the bottles ant
. buried his head in the pillow thu.
-, made. Then half plying, half con
il temptuous sneer twisted his lip.
q 80 this is the great sleuth" h
= said 10 himself II fancy Bollar'!
laurels are safe. after all"
-