The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-04-08

our possession. And you ought to know
better than to despise anonymous informa-
ton, Mr.. Crewe. 1t is not difficult =, CON
ceive circumstances in which a man is will
ing to give the police very valuable informa-
ton, but will not come into the open to
do it,
"But it is even less difficult replied
Crewe, ito conceive circumstances in which
a man tries to divert suspicion from himself
by directing the attentions of the police to
some one else by means of an anonymous
letter"
~ haven't overlooked that" said Gillett
confidently.
"And this anonymous communication fits
in with other information in your possession
other information that you have received
from Miss Maynard" Crewe looked steadi-
ly at Gillett, and then turned his gaze on
Westaway.
$50, you know about her." was Gillett's
comment.
''She did He the honor of asking my ad-
vice when l met her two days ago at Cliff
Farm
What was she doing there?"
Didn't she tell your"
"She did not
IL understood from her that it was her
firm determination to tell you everything
to take you fully into her confidence, and
throw all the light she could on the
tragedy
"She told US that she was at the farm
the night Captain Marslands was there"
said Gillett. "She sought shelter from the
storm and went upstairs with Captain Mars
land when the body was discovered. He
said nothing whatever about this in his
statement to Westaway.'
Nothing whatever said Westaway. ale
led me to believe he was entirely and alb
solutely alone
But why didn't she come to the police
station that night and make her own state
ment?" asked Crewe. "Why all this de-
lay?"
"Her first impulse was to keep her name
out Of it because of the way people would
talk" said Sergeant Westaway, who, as an
old resident of Ashlingsea, felt better quail
mental process of one of the inhabitants
of the little town.
"And she asked Marsland to say moth
ing about her presence at the FARM" asked
Crewe.
"She admits that" was Westaway's re-
ply.
'Of course she had to admit it in order
to clear the way for a statement impli-
eating Marsland in the crime" said Crewe.
"That was not her motive. After think
ing over all that happened, she decided
that by shielding herself from idle gossip
she might be helping unconsciously to shield
the murderer"
"And she told you everything" said
Crewe.
Everything said Sergeant Westaway
emphatically.
"She told you why she was waiting at
the farm on the night that Lumsden's dead
body was brought there?"
"She went there for shelter from the
Storm explained the confident sergeant.
THAT would be after the body was brought
there-if your theory is correct, Mr..
Crewe; and after he was shot in the house
If our theory is correct. Our theory is
that Captain Marsland, after committing
the crime, went outside the house to hide
the traces Of it-probably to get rid of
these boots and revolver, which he threw
down the well.''
ut hasn't occurred to you, sergeant, that
these things may have been placed in the
well within the last few days in order that
you might find them there" said Crewe.
"Who would place them theYe?" asked
Gillett, coming to the rescue of the sergeant
with poser.
II think you asked me just now what
Miss Maynard was doing at the farm two
dave aUn - cold Crowo