The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-27


4 kept the packet in a safe, let into
the wall of my room, and fastened
with a cipher Bramah key, exactly
the same as the chief has for the
treaty safe. The letter l speak about
[ received on Sunday morning. 1
had it with me all day. At 8 o'clock
l went out to dine. l left the letter
with my other packet in my safe.
The key never leaves my person. 1
have a hollow gold band around my
arm and the key fits in it. When |
came home everything was as usual.
[ opened the safe, meaning to reau
the letter over and destroy it.
1t was gone, with the packet and the
ring. l rang my bell. There was no
answer. | rushed to the Embassy,
shouting for Shalders, like maniac.
He was my servant. No one knew
anything about him. At last | heard
news. He had been seen to leave the
house soon after me, carrying a bag.
He left for England by the 9 o'clock
train. l traced him early to London.
At Charing Cross he disappeared. All
day long, since early daylight l
have hung about the streets, and in
out-of public-houses. ransackins
every mortal place | have heard him
ished, | cannot find him. God help
me-"
That key never left your person.
How do. you suppose that Shalders
opened your safe?' l asked
Il cannot imagine. All | know is
that it was done with key, and the
only other one made has never been
out o. the chiefs possession, or at
any rate out of the secretary's room.
Sir Henry assured me that. How he
could have opened the safe, and how
he could have guessed tn cipher, 7
do not know. 1t makes my brain
whirl to think about it,"
How long has Shalders been with
you?" Has he been a good servant?"
He has been with me for years.
should have trusted him with my
life"
Where were your rooms at the
Embassy"
"On the third floor"
Anybody else near you?'
Sir Tenry's private secretaries.
Dick Colquohon and fellow named
Harris
Dick was an old schoolfellow.
passed him by without thought.
Harris" l repeated thoughtfully
Isn't he connection of the for
eign secretary's?"
Reggie NODDED. Nephew
Were you on friendly terms with
him?"
Not particularly" Reggie an
swered. He was not a socable fell
low. He was away on a weeks leave.
shooting somewhere
When was he expected back" I
asked.
"The day I left
None else on your floor"
Not a soul"
you had no difficulty in tracing
Shalders to London?" 1 remarked
HE did not seem to make an at
tempt to conceal his destination"
No."
"one question more, Reggie. Have
you warned herr
He covered his face with his hands
and groaned.
Yes"
us she taking any steps?'
"She has interest with the secret
police. They are tracing Shalders.
Can you communicate with her?"
1 asked.
Indirectly, yes. have had three
kilograms from her today"
ANY news?"
None"
sit down and write her a tele-
gram"
He obeyed without a word. 1 placed
pen and ink and forms before him.
Say: is Harris at Embassy
Reggie thought for moment.
slowly out. rang the bell which
communicated with the garage and
ordered fast car
Go and dispatch that yourself,
Reggie, and see whether there is any
message for you," l directed.
He left the room. Bob and 1 were
alone.
Have you seen the evening
paper?" 1 asked.
He shrank back as if he had re-
ceived blow.
"Not-not yet" he cried. Not
yet, surely"
1 handed him the Globe" which I
my pocket. He snatched it from me
eagerly. The paragraph to which I
had pointed out:
EARLY this morning the body of a
man was discovered in a bedroom of
No. 10 Francis street, Soho, under
circumstances which are fully de-
scribed in other column. He had
apparently been stabbed in the head
several times with fine-pointed
dagger, which was found by the
police in another part of the chamber
The circumstances have no room for
doubt that murder of the utmost
brutality has been committed. The
our reporter is as follows:
About half last tire on Tuesday
afternoon, a lady, described as ele-
gantly dressed, and very handsome
speaking with strong. foreign ac-
cent, called at No. 10, Francis street.
She engaged the best rooms in the
house, which had only been vacated
that morning, for her husband ana
herself, and took procession of them
at once. paying weeks rent in ad-
vance. Her luggage consisted of
one small runk only. At seven
o'clock she changed her dress, and
sent for cab which she ordered to
drive her to the Savoy restaurant
Before leaving she asked for a latch
key, remarking that she might not
be home till quite l.; tie. About /
o'clock she was heard to let herself
in, and the footsteps of two men
were heard upon the stairs with her.
One of them. however, said goodnight
on the first landing, and after a short
conversation, which seemed to be
carried on in a friendly and even in
jovial spirit he descended to the
stairs again, lad the front door was
heard to open and shut. The pre-
sumption, is, however, that the wom-
an was a decoy, and that the murder
was committed by this man, who re-
manned concealed in the house. Tho
pockets of the murdered man were
rifled, but good deal of loose
money was still lying about. Moth
ing that could lead to his identifica-
ton was found upon his person, but
from a card and other documents dis
covered in his oVercoat it appears
that his name was Frederick Shald-
ers, and that he was valet, either
in the present or recent employ OF
Lord Reginald .Thurlow."
Bob read no more. He was trem-
ling with excitement.
ut was Shalders!" he cried. He
was murdered for the letters"
Almost as he spoke, my car turned
into the north end of Burton street,
and drew up below. Reggie came up