The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-03-18

cally, turning away from the fire and look ing at his host.
 It was past 1 o'clock when Crewe retired to his room. The object of his visit to Sir George Granville had been to obtain rest after some weeks of investigation into the Malmesbury case, as the newspapers called capture of the elusive Malmesbury, who had swindled the insurance companies out of 10000 pounds by arranging his own death and burial.
 Crewe smiled to himself once or twice as he slowly undressed. Instead of entering into quiet weekend he found that within few hours of his arrival he was on the threshold of another investigation. He had net met his hosts nephew, Harry Marsland, as the yuong man had left for his ride on the downs before Crewe reached the house. But from what Sir George had told him Crewe felt attracted to the young man. Marsland, who was the only son of Sir Georges only sister, had purchased junior partnership in a firm of consulting engi- neers shortly after attaining his majority, but as soon as the war broke out he of fered his services and obtained comnlis- sion.
 He had seen over six months fighting before being wounded by shell. The long strain of warfare, the shock of the explo- sion and the wounds he had received in the head from shell splinters made his recovery very slow. He had been in a hospital for three months, and though now convasescent L. hn Rnp n and had been invalided out of the army. There had been time in the hospital when his life hung by thread. During days and nights of delirium his mind had been haunted by the scenes of horror he had wit messed at the front. He had seen hundreds of men go through the agonies of death from terrible wounds and gas torture; he had seen human forms blown to pieces, and the men falling in hundreds from machine gun fire as they charged the German trenches.
 The hospital doctors had hinted to Sir George of the possibility of his nephew's reason being affected by what he had gone through, but fortunately the young man was spared this calamity. Sir George had been warned not to let his nephew talk about the war and to keep his mind occupied with more cheerful subjects of conversation. In pursuance of these instructions no refer ence was made to the war in young Mars studiously forgotten.
 It was on the ground of his nephew's health and the danger that lay in the mental worry that Sir George Gran vile begged Crewe, before he retired, to promise to investigat tn crim at Cilff Farm if it turned out to be case which was likely to baffle the police and result in protracted worry to those innocently brought into it. Crewe recognized the force of the appeal and had promised to give some time to the case if the circumstances seemed to demand it. He reserved his final decision until after the visit to Cliff Farm, which Sir George had arranged to make in thS morning.
 Anxiety on his nephew's behalf got Sir George out of bed early, and when Crewe reached the breakfast-room he founc-his host waiting for him. The heartiness with which he greeted Crewe seemed to embody some relief after strain on patience.
 q rang up Ashlingsea police station half an hour ago and asked them to make some inquiries about Harry" said Sir George. "He doesn't seem to be much the worse for his nights experience. At all events, the landlady sent word back that he had gone out for swim"
 q am very glad to hear that he is all right" said Crewe.
 "They have given him our message con- tinued Sir George. "so he will be waiting for us." >
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