The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-05-11

with which to open it. I am not
professional thief"
you are aware that the evidence
looks rather black against you?'
pointed out.
II can't help it." he answered sui
lenly. Il didn't do it."
I left him on the promenade, and
saw him stroll across the road to
a chemists shop for a pick-me-up.
went back to the hotel, and discovered
that my friend Inspector Running
ton from Scotland Yard had already
arrived and had taken over formal
conduct of the case. He was waiting
for Bloor. whose very unenviable dos
sier he had brought down with him.
I glanced it through without any par
ticular interest. Huntington watched
me curiously.
The young man is a thoroughly
bad lot" he observed.
There's only one thing in his IA
vor," I nodded. When you talk to
him. you will realize that he is a
/ decadent. a young man without. nerve
or any manlike quality. Now 1 don't
know whether it has ever occurred to
you, Huntington, but I should i'm
agine it would take a person with
great strength of nerve to hold a
woman by the throat and watch her
die"
Huntington was unconvinced.
I shall know better when 1 have
talked to him, perhaps he remarked.
I took the midday train to town,
and Travelled in the Pullman with M.
Leon Grant, the manager of the hotel,
who was on his way up to confer once
more with the directors. He showed
me a cable from Mrs. Trumperton.
Smiths son, who was on his way back
from Egypt. 1t ran as follows:
Greatly shocked. Arrive 18th. Hope
police will discover criminal Believe
jewels principal part mothers estate.
/ offer reward Immediately for return
any one not connected with crime
Il am suggesting a tenth part Of
the insured value" he announced. Il
shall see the solicitors before l re-
turn"
As We drew into Victoria I offered
ny companion a lift lie refused. how
ever, on the ground that he had a
case of wine in the van, which he was
taking back TO a wine merchant. l
made a few calls, dined at my club,
and travelled back again to Brighton
by the late train. l met Rimming.
ton in the han, Of the hotel. and we
strolled into the managers office Mr.
Leon Grant, looking more tired than
ever after his long day in town. was
speaking passionately into the tele.
phone.
1t is absurd he declared as we
came in. Il spoke from the number
I am asking for. several times this
afternoon. The telephone Is in perfect
order"
IF you are speaking Of Mayfair
1882, Mr.. Grant" I interviewed. II
am afraid the supervisor is correct.
The number Is disconnected"
His face, as he looked at US, grew.
horrible. The receiver slipped from
his fingers and fell to the ground.
What do you mean" he gasped.
Simply that Scotland Yard discou-
nected your fiat in town. for fear YOU
should ring up and find out that the
case Of wine YOU brought mp 10 Lon.
don has been opened" 7 expIsined
Huntington. this Is your job
Huntington was quick but not
quick enough. Grants right hand waa
In the drawer by his side i'm q mo
ment- and the silver plated little re
volver at his temple, I believe that
he was a dead man before the In.
5DectOr laid hands on him
Huntington came to my sitting
room later on and helped himself to
a whisky and soda.
"A little secretive this morning
weren't YOU, Sir Norman he OBJ
served
We wanted the jewels " ] pointed
out Directly the man told me he
had a case Of wine in the van. I knew
that everything was all right"
When did you get his dossier?"
BY the second post this morning"
I replied. "and a pretty bad one It
was He has a fiat in town under
another name; he owes one bookie
alone over 1000 pounds, and his do
nestle arrangements were, to say the
least of it. irregUlarly. He was des--
perately in need of money
Even now the reconstruction isn't
absolutely simple" my companion
unused. Leon Grant evidently made
his way to Mrs. Trumperton.Smith
rooms after her return; she woke IN
while he was making off with the
jewel-boX, and he strangled her. But
what about the two visits from Bloor,
earlier in the evening. and the miss
ing diamonds? I think you said that
they We're not in the jewel-case which
YOU have recovered?"
Il imagine that the night.watchman
must have made a mistake" l told
him. con the other hand, BIoor may
have already DISPOSED Of the diamonds.
Again, they may have been mislaid
and viii be brought in for the re
ward.
What first Of all made YOU think
Of Grant?" Huntington asked a little
later, as he was preparing TO take
his leave.
"A very slight thing" I answered.
The woman was strang1ed. as you
Know, although the finger marks were
neutrality-suspicious.. There was
scratch upon her throat. and a few
drops of blood. evidently caused by
he fingernail of the murderers. Now,
Sidney Bloor's fingernails are bitten
almost to the quick The managers.
on the other hand. were really no
ticeable. They were long. and brought