Evening star., 1923-01-28

theslittle piece Of soap that had been
placed; on sthe washstand and that
on tbs rack one OF the three towels
was crumpied. As he came out of the
bathroom he was addressed by Town
.Well. captain, what do you make
OF. II all 2" the secret service man
asked His face and manner plainly
Indicated that impatience was get
ting the better of him.
twinkle now" "Rennison replied.
you think the man was murder
cdr Coughlin demanded. .#
s.Undoubrediy," Rennison replied.
SO Tar as. we have gone, much is
clear, Such evidence as we have in
hotel alone and. after registering, was
conducted to his room by q bellboy.
The boy probably placed the black
bag where It was found-on the sofa
Claiming. who appears TO have been
a singularly cautious person, so far as
his invention was concerned, might
have had some reason for not want
ing to- 60 to the dining car while
he was carrying with him his precious
secret. One Is often compelled TO
eat with three others at a small table e
In a dinning car. you know, and
Claiming, knowing the resources and
unscrupulous practices of Seafalcon' s
espionage system in. this country,
may haYe been loath to eat and drink
In such proximity with strangers. He
was resolved to take no chances with
pfckpockets or food that might be
tampered with.
II such were the case, We must
assume that the poor chap, after a
six-hour journey. was in good shape
Tor a hearty meal when he arrived
here. His appointment with MIR.
Horsford was for o'clock. Chan
ming. therefore, probably reasoned
that he would have time for light
meal somewhere in an uncrowded
place. easily enough to. be found at
that hour. The destruction of the
Drag comfy and the murder of the in.
ventor OF the device 1t contained
plainly indicate that Claiming was
being watched by spies 1t may be
regarded as probable that he was
aware Of this. Nor. indeed, is ii un-
likely that. realizing that he was fol-
secret into the hands of Mr.. Horsford
prior to the hour that had been desig-
mated for their meeting"
That. seems rather more probable
TO me-, Towndrow muttered
We'll, in any case 1t would appear
Charming hurried to the bathroom.
tore the paper wrapper from the soap
ne round there and quickly wash ed
the stains of travel from his face and
hands, not taking time to brush his
hair
Having left the bathroom. Chan
ming put on his hat, crossed the room,
opened the door and went out into
the hall. He closed and locked the
door and then started toward the
elevator. He had taken only a few
steps. however. when he saw some
one, who probably was a stranger TO
him. 1t is also probable that this
stranger was q woman"
|. Coughlin, whose features now wore
a. troubled expression, shook his head
inoredulously. 49,
'On some pretext or another, this
woman. we will say. addressed him."
Rennison went on. She either offer
ed to him or let fall some object
which she carried. At all events the
object fell to the floor. AS II struck
the carpet the shock of contact
caused the exudation Of some viru-
lent fluid it contained. The effect OF
this was q stain. which rather resem-
bles a burn, on the carpet about
eight feet from the door"
You think. then" broke in DR..
Aibertson in accents of alarm.
II think the object to which have
referred was covered with needle
like but hollow points. which. when
grasped by fingers or subjected to the
shock OF fall, would discharge some
deadly fluid. 1 believe that, either
in taking this object from the hand