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

Gillett, in tone of surprise. Il wonder who has put him on to this?"
 "That is Sir George Granville with him the stout elderly man," said Inspector Payne.
 "The other gentleman is MT. Marsland,' said Sergeant Westaway.
 Which is Crewe and which is Marsland?' asked Inspector Payne.
 ''The tall one on the left is Crewe," an swered Detective Gillett.
 As police official, Inspector Payne was indignant at the idea of Crewe intruding into the case, but as man he was delighted at the opportunity of meeting the famous private detective who had so often scored over Scotland Yard by unraveling mysteries which had baffled the experts of the London detective department. Crewe's fame had even penetrated to Ashlingsea, and Sergeant Westaway studied the private detective with awed interest as the three occupants of the motor car walked up the drive.
 Inspector Payne had pictured Crewe as more striking personality than the tall young man in tweeds who was accompany ing Sir George Granville and his nephew. The latter was talking earnestly, and Crewe was listening closely. Inspector Payne had an opportunity of noting the distinction and character which marked the detective's face in repose; the clear, clean-cut profile, the quick penetration and observation of his dark eyes as they took in the exterior of Cliff Farm. He concluded that Crewe was rather young for the fame he had achieved-certainly under 40: that he liked his face; that he looked like gentle man; and that his tweed suit displayed a better cut than any provincial tailor had ever achieved.
 His companion, Sir George Granville's fair-haired, blue-eyed, with clear skin which had been tanned brown as the result of his war campaigning in France. He was two or three inches shorter than Crewe, but was we'll set up and well-built, and although he did not wear khaki his recent connection with the army was indicated by his military carriage and bearing.
 After the necessary introductions Crewe explained with an air of modesty that Sir George Granville's nephew, having had the misfortune to become associated with the tragedy through the discovery of the body, Sir George, as public man, had conceived the idea that he ought to do something toward discovering the author of the crime. That was how he himself came to be pres ent. He hoped that he would not be in the way of the police.
 nt ot He nf oI of,p Payne, answering for the County Police. "We'll be glad of your help. And as for anything we can do for you, MT. Crewe, you have only to ask"
 "That is very kind of you," said Crewe.--~
 "You are just in time," continued Inspec- tor Payne. "Gillett and have been here only few minutes. We were just going upstairs to look at the body when you ar- rived'
 On their way upstairs Gillett drew atten- tion to some marks on the margin of the stairs between the carpet on the staircase and the wall. These marks were irregular in shape, and they looked as if they had been made by wiping portions of the stairs with dirty wet cloth. Some of the stairs bore no mark.
 "It seems to me that someone has been wiping up spots of blood on the stairs," said Inspector Payne, he examined the marks closely.
 On the linoleum covering the landing of the first flight there were more traces of the kind, the last of them being beside the door fo the room in which the body had been discovered.
 The dead man was still in the armchair