The evening world., 1922-04-19


abrupt departure from
the Manor was due to any disagree
ment with you
"In a sense suppose II was" Tai
lente acknowledged. II turned him
out Of the house."
The inspector did not attempt TO
conceal his qualification. He made q
voluminous note in his pocketbook.
Am I to conclude. then. that there
was a quarrel?" he inquired.
"You can put your own construc-
ton upon It," was the cool reply.
Had you any idea where the Hon
orable Anthony Palliser was going
TOT"
II suggested the DEVIL" Tallente
confided blandly. 1T expect he will
get there some time. 1 put up with
him because 1 knew his father, but
he is not young man to make q
fuss about"
The inspector was a little staggered.
Am I to conclude, then," he said.
that you were dissatisfied with his
work as your secretary"
Absolutely" was the firm reply.
"Being your private secretary, sir"
he said. "the Honorable Anthony
Palliser would no doubt have access to
your private papers7'
Naturally" Tallente conceded.
"There might be among them pa
pers of importance, papers whose pos.
session by parties in the other camp
OF politics"-
"Stop!" Taliente interrupted. "In-
spector Gillian. you are an a.stute
man. Excuse me-"
He crossed the room and, with a
key which he took from a chain at.
tached to his trouser button. opened
small but powerful safe fitted into
the wall. He opened it confidently
enough gazed inside and remained fol
a moment transf1xed. Then he took
up a few packets of papers. glanced
them through and replaced them. He
still stood there, dangling the key In
his hand. The inspector watched hin
curously.
Anything missing, sir?" he asked
Tallente swung the door to ant
came back to his chair.
"Yes!" he admitted.
"Can I make a note Of the natur,
of the loss, sir?" the man asked
moistening his pencil.
"a political paper OF some person
al consequence" Tallante replied
"Its absence disquiets me. 1t also con
firms my belief that Palliser Is lyinl
doggo for time
"a hint as to the contents Of tn,
missing paIer would be very accept
able. sir" Inspector Gillian begged.
Tallente shook his head.
"For the present." he decided, ="
can only repeat what I said a few
moments ago-I have given you jus
as much information as 1 feel inclined
to-"
The inspector rose to his feet.
"At the risk OF annoying you. an
bound to ask this question. Will yol
tell me whether anything in the ma
ture Of blows passed between you anC
Honorable Anthony Palliser. preH
Gus to his leaving your house7"
"I will not even satisfy your curl
osity to that extent Talent,
| answered.
| vt will be my duty, sir" the in
spector said ponderously, Ito examin
some of your servants"
| SCOTLAND Yard can do that 70
themselves" Tallente observed. IN
wife and the greater part Of the do
mestic staff left hero for London
i week ago"
The representative of the law salut
ed solemnly.
After the inspector left. Talent
| rang the bell for his man, Robert.
"Any speculations as to that youn
mans whereabouts" Tallente contin
ued thoughtfully, mus. necessaril
be a matter Of puro guesswork, bu
supposing. Robert, he should hav
wandered in that mist the wrong wa
turned 10 the left, for instance. out
side this window, instead of to tn
right--he might very easily have fall
en- over the Cliff"
1.-THE walk is very unsafe in tn
dark, SIR" Robert acquiesced, look
ing down at the carpet.
''It was my intention" Tallente re
marked thoughtfully, ''to kill th
young man. A brawl In front of tn
windows was impossible, so / too
him with me to the lookout. I sur
! nose he was tactless and / lost m
temper. I struck him on the chi
land he wen: backward through thG