Evening journal., 1922-08-05


BILL BEVERLEY, one Of Mark
: guests. arrived at that moment t'
MATT T%r cAYLEY. Marks companion
office and demanding admttance
The two men entered the office
through a window and on the hooi
found the body OF Robert with
bullet through the head.
Mark was not 10 be found.
Police Inspe ctor Birch believes that
Mark has murdered his brother. whose
visit he anticipated with annoyance
Anthony's suspicious. Cayley Invites
hiuf 10 remain over the inquest and
Antony informs Bill Beverley that
things are going to happen here soon"
CayIey was walking across the
lawn toward them, a big, heavy
shouldered man, with one of those
strong, clean-shaven. ugly faces
which can never quite be called
plain.
Cayley nodded as he came to
-them, and stood there for a mo-
ment.
I'VE can make room for you" said
Bill. getting up.
"Oh, don't bother. thanks. I Just
came to say" he went on to An
tony, that naturally they've rather
lost their heads in the kitchen, and
dinner won't be till half-past eight
DO just as you like about dressing,
of course"
Having said what he wanted TO
say. Cayley remained there little
awkwardly. as II not sure whether
to go or TO stay. Antony wondered
whether he wanted 10 talk about
the afternoons happenings, or
whether It was the one subject he
wished to avoid. To break the ST.
lence he asked carelessly II the in
spector had gone.
Cayley nodded. Then he said alb
ruptly. Hes getting a warrant for
Marks arrest"
Bill made a suitably sympathetic
noise. and Antony said with shrug
Of the shoulders. We'll. he was
bound to do that wasn't he? II
doesn't mean anything. They nat
urally want TO get hold Of your I
cousin. innocent or guilty"
which do you think he Is. Mr..
Gningham ?" said Csyley, looking at
him steadily.
Mark? It's absurd" said Bill
impetuously.
.'Bnrs loyal. you see. Mr.. Cayley."
And you owe no loyalty to any
one concerned?"
Exactly So perhaps I might be
too frank"
Bill had dropped down on the
grass. and Cayley took his place on
the seat, and sat there heavily his
elbows on his knees, his chin on his
hands. gazing at the ground.
Il want you 10 be quite frank" he j
said at last. Naturally l am
prejudiced where Mark is concerned.
So want to know how my sugges-
ton strikes you-who have no
either way"
Your SUGGESTION"
MY theory that. II Mark killed his
brother. It was purey accidental-as
I told the inspector"
Bill looked UP with interest.
You mean that Robert did the
hold-up business" he eaid. "and
there was a hit Of a struggle. and !
the revolver went off, and then Mark
lost his head and bolted? That sort
OF idea?"
Exactly"
We'll. that seems all right" He
turned to Antony. There's nothing
wrong with that. Is there? It's the
most natural explanation to anyone
who knows Mark"
Antony pulled at his pipe.
II suppose Il is" he said slowly.
But there's one thing that worries
me rather"
whats that?" Bill and Cayley !
asked the question simultaneously. :
"The key"
The key?" said Bill.
Cayley lifted his head and looked b
II Antony. What about the key?" $
he asked. .
We'll, there may be nothing in Il
&: I Just wondered. Suppose Rob- "
ut was killed as you say. and sup 4
,ose Mark lost his head and thought r
4 nothing but getting away before .
nyone could see him. Well. very a
kelly he'd lock the door and put the
.ey in his pocket. He'd do II with I,
ut thinking. just to gain a mo- !,
nent's time" "
Yes. that's what I suggest" =,
Eyes. that's all right II the key Is
here But suppose It isn't there7" o
The suggestion. made as II 1t were /
lready an established fact, startled o
hem both. le
what do you mean?" said Cay
~. 81
well. it's just a question Of where Al
eople happen to keep their keys. NJ
'ou go up to your bedroom, and
erhaps you like to lock your door In
! case anybody comes wandering in | Il
hen you've only got one sock and IN
pair OF braces on. Well that's
atural enough. But downstairs
eople don't lock themselves In. It's q,
aally never done at all. Bill. for -
lstance. has never locked himself 80
ITO the dining-room in order 10 be
lone with the sherry ON the other I'd
and, all women, and particular
servants, have a horror OF burg
Irs. And IL a burglar gets in by yc
le window. they like to limit his pc
rtivities to that particular room. tn
o they keep the keys on the out an
de Of the doors and lock the doors ar
hen they go to bed" He knocked an
,e ashes out Of his pipe. and add pa
1. "At least, my mother always yo
sed to-" re
you mean" said Bill excitedly,
hat the key was on the outside
the door when Mark went into 40
le room p
nyveli 7 was inst wondering"