Perth Amboy evening news., 1922-03-07

At his approach he had discerned
a slender black-gowned figure seated
upon the steps of the little toy struc-
ture, and beside it a man with a pair
of crutches at hand. He recalled the
episode of the morning, when he and
the lieutenant had come upon the
same couple, and the young officer
had disclaimed all knowledge of the
stranger.
Barry crept softly around the side
of the tea house until he had reach
ed a point where he could see with
| out being himself seen. He halted
$50 you see, Captain Warren,
what a fix I'm in. Those slippers
would be enough evidence in them
selves to send me to prison, ] sup
pose. and that silly affair with Harry
Cadmus two years ago, of which l
have told you. would furnish a
motive. Oh, it is like a horrible
nightmare! 10 be suspected of such
a terrible crime, and that against
the little cousin L loved!"
Her voice broke, as though she
found herself unable to continue,
and again the detective marveled.
Was the girl a consummate actress.
or was bers indeed the grief and
Eu"fnlliaLlOn OIL DcllS ulJuotly doHdii-
ed?
The captain evidently had no
doubts on that score, for he took
one of her hands in both of his. and
she made no effort to withdraw it.
''That is what l have come to you
for this afternoon, to save you IRON
even the breath of suspicion, if l
can"
Captain Warren!" There was a
pause, and then she added softly:
Did / tell you the other day that !
went in the locked room where he
used to sleep, and where all his be
longings which you SO kindly
brought home to us have been
placed? / saw his helmet a hand
grenade and even his a mask, but
there were stains upon it! 1t all
seemed to bring him back so closely
that l had an uncanny feeling that
he must be here in the flesh, some
where near!'
Before the captain could reply
Barry strobe boldly around the cor
ner, pausing in a confusion that
would have done credit to an actor.
Captain, this is the young police
officer from town, of whom l spoke
Sergeant Barry, Captain Warren"
The captain bowed stiffly.
Captain Warren, L suppose yofl
are familiar with the details of the
crime?"
Miss Tudor has told me all she
knows" the captain responded
thoughtfully.
Have you any possible theory to
advance? / confess L should be
grateful. for this seems the most IN
applicable case L have ever o
tered"
How about that chap who has
been wandering about, stealing
clothes and food and entering houses
at will, without leaving any trace
I should think he was the most like
Iy suspect if he were mentally de
ranged, for this murder appears t.
have been such a purposeless one.
Captain Warren pondered for a mo-
ment. ITO me the most puzzling
part OF the whole affair is how II
was possible for n girl to be gass-
ed and the other escape"
perhaps that is the most easily
e~xplainable of ALL" he observed, ano
with a few p~erfunctory remarks hi
left them, his brain on fire with
fresh inspiration born of the chance
use of a single word.
Gassedi One girl had been killed
ny llt litiidla VI S0f
the other, sleeping near, had gont
unscathed-and there had been 6
gas mask in the house!
Barry entered the house by The
back way and stole upstairs.
The dimness of the room at frs
made everything Observation-Disclosures t'
his eyes, but gradually he saw the
mantel with the gas mask upon II.
Approaching, he picked up the
case containing the mask. CAREFUL,
to preserve any possible finger prlnt'
and as he opened it a faint but un'
mistakable odor ~assailed his nostrlls
the odor of cagbon monoxide gas.
CHAPTER TX
Sergeant Barry turned the ga
mask ease over and owe in hi
| hands. His intuition had been RICH
after all! Fay Tudor was innocen
beyond any doubt, for had she as
phyxiated heA cousin she need no
have gone to The trouble of donnint
the gas MASH she could simply