The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-04-01
FICTION

FICTION
 Where did you learn this, Miss May nard?" was the excited question. Are you sure?"
 Hasn't he told the police?" she asked in a tone of astonishment. Then per haps it is not true"
 Where did you hear it?''
 ''In Staveley. was talking to wounded officer there on the front-Mr. Blake. He knew Mr. Marsland as Captain Marsand and he knew MT. Lumsden as well. I think he said poor MT. Lumsden had been Captain Marsland's orderly for time."
 q must look into this,'' said Sergeant Westaway.
 "Unfortunately MT. Blake has returned to the front. He left Staveley yesterday" .No matter. There are other ways of getting at the truth, Miss Maynard. As said, Detective Gillett will be down here tomorrow and I'll show him your statement He vii! probably want to interview you himself, and in that case I'll send for you. But don't you be alarmed-he's nice, gen. tlemanly young fellow and knows how to treat lady,
 He was about to bow her out of the sta tion when he suddenly remembered that she had not signed her statement
 Would you please read through this and sign it?" he asked. "A very important statement-clear and concise. I felt must congratulate you about it, Miss Maynard"
 She read through the sergeant's summary of her narrative, but was unable to con- graduate him on the way in which he had done his work. She felt that the statement she and her lover had compiled, to guide her in her narrative to the police, was far more comprehensive document.
 CHAPTER 16
 Miss Maynard's statement made such an impression on Sergeant Westaway that he determined to ride over to Staveley that afternoon and lay it before Inspector Mur- chison. He was so restless and excited at the new phase of the Cliff Farm murder which had been opened up by the young ladys revelations that he decided the matter was too important to be allowed to remain where it was until Detective Gilett returned to Ashlingsea on the following day.
 Besides, 25 years rustication in Ashlng- sea had made him so much of an idealist that he actually believed that any jealous activity he displayed in the only great crime which had ever happened during his long re- gime at Ashlingsea would be placed to his credit in the official quarters
 After a midday dinner Sergeant West away wheeled forth his bicycle and, having handed over to Constable Heather the off cial responsibility of maintaining order in Ashlingsea, pedaled away along the cliff road to Staveley. The road was level for the greater part of the way and he reached Staveley in a little more than an hour of the time of his departure from Ashlingsea.
 Several persons-mostly women-were in the front office of the police station, waiting their turn to lay their troubles before the recognized guide and confidant of Staveley but the constable in charge, who knew Ser geant Westaway, deferred to his official po- sition by taking him straight into the pres ence of Inspector Murchison and closing the door behind him.
 The inspector was seated in his office chair talking earhestly to a shabby young woman who carried baby, and was crying bitterly. He looked up as Westaway en- tered, and then he rose from his chair, as an intimation to the young woman in front of him that he had given her as much of the governments time as she had a right to expect. The young woman took the hint, rose~to her feet and turned to go. On her way to the door she turned around and said in pleading voice:
 "You'll do the best you can to get him