Evening star., 1922-04-23

he Ie1ned f0rWtfo AS II oehOeFdt-
ing. and preoccupiediy tapped with
his fingers on the ash receiver. caus-
ing the tray to make two or three
complete revolutions.
II think" he said slowly. that Herr
Erland is right. What We want to do
is to go carefully over every foot OF
the ground. If we then fail to un
earth anything that tends to throw
light on the mystery I am willing TO
turn the violin over to Herr Erlsnd,
and let the affair be Investigated
through the ordinary channels"
At this offer Erland reconsidered
and seconded the proposal.
Suppose. then"-Ramsey looked to
Achison-"we start in at your place:
Since you are giving the second OF
your entertainments this evening, i
presume that everything has been left
lust as It was?"
"a Ia Sherlock Holmes. eh?" Achison
smiled with bland contempt. ~You
want to subject my poor abode to the
magnifying glass? Weil-if you think
it worth your while. Nothing has
pCcu tOuSuCo CASSPS wv
dusting and sweeping"
That Achison's statement was ab-
soiutely correct they found on their
arrival.
We'll, here we are" Achison said,
mockingly, as he stood at the eail-
room door for Rose and the two men
to enter-for Rose had yielded 10
Wallace's urgent request that che ac-
company them.
Here We are" repeated Achison'
IT hold my breath to await the work
ings Of the master mind
Ramsey paid no heed to the light
sibe, but turned to Erland.
Il want to recon struct the scene as
i. appeared to the detective on duty
that night" be said, ito see it as well
as 1 can with his eyes. He took his
station just about here. ] think" He
moved over to q seat at the right Oh
the entrance. Now, if the rest or
you will just move back to the line
Of the doorway. / guess we are all
set
.'Or- wait a minute he exclaimed.
starting UP. Il am forgetting the
most important feature-the vio-
In
He hurried down the aisle to the
platform. the instrument in its metal
bound case under his arm, and placed
1t on the top of the music cabinet
well inside the decorative molding
which ran around the edge.
That IS about the way in which
you left it. Herr Ertand, isn't it?' he
asked: and receiving an affirmative
nod, returned to his seat.
TOR a minute the little group of
onlookers waited. Two minutes
passed, three. and nothing happened.
Erland shifted his feet impatiently
| and ran his hands up through his
| hair.
What is the meaning of such
nonsense?" he muteered. irritably.
] Wallace shook his head and, ris-
ing. walked slowly over to them.
Il have failed he confessed, rue
fully. Il Though. maybe. II I had
the actual environment OF the theft
before me, 1 might puzzle out how
| il had been done. But I've got to ad-
mft it's beyond me. aud don't inag
inc ia bare any better success At the
hotel
Il can only stand by my bargain.
| Herr ErlaRd. The violin is youra, and
unless the police can do something,
shall simply have to stand up to the
music"
| Before Ramsey had finished speak
ing the virtuoso was ON his way to
recover his beloved Sdradivarius. As
he gained the platform the ironic
chuckie with which Achison greeted
Ramsay's discontinue and Roses
soft naarmur of sympathy were
drowRed by q sPlutter Of Norwegian.
1T sticks" Erland turned a startled
face toward the group in the doorway
Whom try 70 lin the case it does
not come. What Is the matter:"
| Give II 2 jerk" advised Ramsey
| Hts detected air had entirely vanish.
ed The magnet has probably gained
strength and exerss = sitter pull than
Mr.. Achtsoa anticipated. noticed
IL when I placed The violin On the
cabinet. That suggested the idea to
me Of feiEning defeat, 50 as TO give
you a personal demonstration"
The mASnsty" ErlAnd stared a,
/ him bew il<Aeringly.
| Certainly. The one concealed in
the turnover top Of the.cabinet Hut
ask Dir. AehiSsn to explain. He has
a practical knowledge of the IN
gsuioAa mechanism involved; mine is
only Theoretical"
| The three Of them turned toward
AcAtsoA. to 1tRd his broad face GRIN
killed. sp with laughter.
discovered. he cried, mirthfuliy.
Ramsay. take OF my hat TO you.
hut how yon guessed it passes my
comprehension. 1 would have sworn
| that ne ons could fathom the secret
OF that cabinet"
1T was merely the thing that once
warned yoa would prove your undo
Ing" returned wallace. grimly: the
element OF the unexpected. have lit
tie cause for pride In this affair. Achi-
son. Had Herr Erland been a less
tempestuous smoker. or had Miss
Edgewatsr put out different sort
OF ash tray, would still be cudgeling
my brains for . solution. But thai
ash tray of hers gave me the idea.
II was already convinced. you see.
that the violin had been taken during
the time that It lay on the music oabi-
net after the concert; but how 1t had
been done ! could not imagine. Every