The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-09


 and said:
 You, detective, and ask such a simple question! Why, since there are but very few Japanese in this town, and since all of them are ac- counted for, and only Nogi Is missing super-human intelligence to infer that it was Nogi who took his de- parture."
 And who was mixed up in the murder of Dr. John Waring?" cried Morton, exasperated beyond all eau tion by the ironic tone of Lockwood. And unless you can explain some matters, sir, you may be considered mixed up in the same despicable deed"
 What matters?" Gordon Lockwood asked, but his already pale face turn ed shade winter.
 First, sir, you have . large num- Der of unpaid bills in your posses sion"
 The secretary's face was no longer white. The angry blood flew to It. and he fairly clenched his nanos m an effort to preserve his usual calm nor even then, could he entirely sue ceed.
 What if I haveT he cried. "and how do you know? You've searcneo my roomsw .5 you I should do so."
 But. in my absence"
 "The law is not always over cere- monious." o n.~an don't get excited" ,,.a
 Gordon Lockwood almost laugnea For him to be told not to get cited! He. who never aliows Sssied or nerturbed! This would never oo!
 "f'm not excited, MT. Cray' me ne ss,d and he wasn't now. "but l an, sho,'id sn ba searched without my knowledge. Surely rnight- ,,,.
 Never mind the amenities Q. nv. Mir Lockwood" Cray went on, yor effects were searched on 'h Sow re- ity of a police warrant No"' rarding these bills"
 .T have nothing to say. man has a right to his unpaid pliis. "Rut he has not right to stsal s5o0 in cash and a ruby pin, m o.usl to he able to pay them! Inls lton, n Morton, and instead or replyiE ignored the speech utterly, qulte is ha had not heard 1t, and addressed Cray. ,,,r.h., ,ound to in- crinlinate mel" he asked.
 was there anything else 70 pc foird." said Cray, catching az the imRriuu .!That's s'f for your sleuths to say. know of nothing"
 ..WelI there's your round, sharp nenholder. And the fact that you nao keys to all desk drawers. Also the fact that only you and the Jap ars known to have beer in tnat/part ol ntu ThagA things were not learned from the scarcn of your rooms; but youar pecuniary embarrassment, which was dlscoV- cred, all go together 10 make Weu of circumstances that call for in vestigation."
 Don't beat about the bushr ex, claimed Lockwood, his lips set and his eyes staring coldly at the dis trict attorney. "Td far rather be accused definitely than have 1t hinted that am responsible for this crime.
 But we haven't sufficient evi- dence. Mir. Lockwood, to accuse you definitely, that's why we must aues- tion you"
 sufficient! You haveRN any eFi- dence at all!'
 "Oh, we have some" With q turn of his head, Cray summoned man who stood at the hall door.
 The man came in and handed Cray report. .h. paper. "We find. MT. Lockwood fresh finger prints on the chair which stood near Dr. Warnings desk Facing the doctors chair. in fact. as If some one had sat there talking to him. Did you?"
 to him. was always waiting on him In the matter of bringing books or taking letters for transcription and in any case, either stood. or sat at my desk. never in that chair you speak of"
 This man will take the finger prints of all present" the attorney directed, and one and all submitted
 Old Salt Adams was greatly inter- ested.
 But you can't get the prints of Friend Jap" he said. Likes not he'd be of more importance than all of us put together. Me, now, can't see where I come in."
 Yet, after time enough had passed to complete the processes. 1t was learned that the finger prints on the shiny black wood of the chair under discussion were indubitably those of Gordon Lockwood, Also, there were other prints there. slightly smaller. that Cray immediately assumed to be those of the missing Japanese.
 Lockwood looked more supercilious than usual, if that were possible.
 How can you identify the prints of man not here?" he asked with an incredulous look.
 "Supposition not Identification" rowing these things down. and we may yet get Identification"
 Get the Jap back" advised Old Salt Adams. That's your next move. Cray. Get him, check up his finger prints and all that. and best of all get his confession. There's your work cut out for you"
 Find Dr. Warnings will" Mrs. Bates lamented. There's your work cut out for you. I am not unduly mercenary. but when I know how anxious Dr. Waring was that l should inherit his estate. when I realize what 1t meant that he drew this will beftre our marriage, so urgent was his desire that all should be mine, you must understand that I do not willingly forego 1t all In favor of a distant relative, whom, MT. Crimmins tells us, pr. Waring did not care for at all.'
 T should say not!" and Crimmins looked positive. Tt will be an out rage if MT. Trask inherits the es- tate alread willed to Mrs. Bates. stand ready to dc all can to see justice done in this matter"
 But justice, as you see 1t. can only result from finding the will" said Cray.
 "Yes," agreed Crimmins, land the whole matter opens up new train of thought May not the distant cousin, this man Trask. be in some way responsible for the destruction of the will and the death of the de- cedent?"
 Tt Is a new way to lock-" Cray agreed, with a thoughtful air; and we will look that way, you rest as- sured. We will at once get In touch with this cousin, you will give us his address. and learn where he was and