The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1922-08-05
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to open the door to get it. and open
ing the door means showing his
head to anybody in the haH-his cou-
sin, for instance, whom he left there
two minutes ago. Is man In
Marks state of mind, frightened to
death lest he should be found with
the body. going to do anything SO
foolhardy as that?"
He needn't have been afraid OF
me-" said Cayley.
Then why didn't he call for you?
He knew you were about. You could
have advised him; Heaven knows he
wanted advice. But the whole theory
of Marks escape is that he was
afraid of you and of everybody else"
Eyes, I expect you're right" said
Bill thoughtfully. Unless he took
the key in with him, and locked the
door at once"
Exactly. But in that case you
have to build up a new theory entire
ly."
you mean that it makes it seem
more deliberate?'
yes; that, certainly. But 1t also
idiot. Just suppose for q moment
that, for urgent reasons which
neither of you know anything about.
he had wished to get rid OF his
brother. Would he have done it like
that? Just killed him and then run
away? Why, that's practically sui
eide. No. If you really wanted to
remove an undesirable brother, you
would do it little bit more cleverly
than that"
Cayley had been silent. apparently
thinking over this new idea. With
his eyes still on the ground, he said
now:
At hold to my opinion that it was
purely accidental, and that Mark
lost his head and ran away"
But what about the key?" asked
Bill.
I'VE don't know yet that the keys
were. outside"
'Oh, well, of course, If they are In
side. then your original theory is
probably the correct one. Having
often seen them outside. just won
dered-that's all"
Even ii the key was outside"
went on Cayley stubbornly, IT stlll
think it might have been accidental
He might have taken it in with him.
knowing that the interview would be
an unpleasant one, and not wishing
to be interrupted"
But he had just told you to stand
by in case he wanted you; so why
should he lock you out? Besides. I
shouAd think that if a man were go
ing to have an unpleasant interview
with a threatening relation. the last
thing he would do would be to bar
ricade himself in with him. He would
want to open all the doors and say,
Get out of itP
Cayley was silent, but his mouth
looked obstinate. Antony gave a
little apologize laugh and stood up.
''Wen, come on. Bill" he said;
I'VE ought to be stepping" He held
out a hand and pulled his friend up.
Then, turning to Cayley. he went
on, You must forgive me II have
let my thoughts run on rather"
That's all right, Mr.. Gillingham,"
said Cayley.. standing up too. You
say that you're going up to the Inn
now about your bag7"
Cayley nodded and turned to go
into the house. Antony took hold of
BilPs arm and walked OF with him
in the opposite direction.
CHAPTER VII
TIHEY walked In silence for a lit
tie, until they had left the house
and gardens well behind them.
TELL me something about Mark"
said Antony suddenly.
What sort of things?'
well. never mind about his being
your host, or about your being a
perfect gentleman, or anything like
that. Cut out the Manners for Men.
and tell me what you think of Mark.
and how you like staying with him,
and how many rows your little house
party has had this week. and how
you get on with Cayley. and all the
rest OF it,
Bill looked at him eagerly.
II say. are you being the complete
detective?"
well. wanted a new profession"
smiled the other.
What funi / mean," he corrected
himself alphabetically, zone oughtn't
to say that. when there's a man
dead in the house. and ones host"
He broke off a little uncertainty.
"Well?" said Antony. Garry on
Mark
Continued in Our Next Issuel