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

FICTION
session that Mrs. Grange was inside the
farmhouse. The comb you found in the
sitting room downstairs belongs to her.
When ] went to see her she was wearing
had two of them. And she does not know
where she lost the one the police have,
or she would not wear its fellow
CHAPTER 20
Dinner was just over at Sir George
Granville's house, and Crewe, on hearing
that Detective Gillett and Sergeant Westa-
way had called to see him, took then, into
the library at his hosts suggestion.
II have seen Grange and his wife, and
also Mrs. Penfield," said Gillett.
"And what did you get from them!"
asked Crewe.
"a great deal of interesting information
and most of it bearing out your theory,
Mr.. Crewe. l must say that this crime has
more twists and turns than any l have
ever had anything to do with.
II formed the impression some time ago
that it was a complicated and interesting
case" said Crewe.
have been great help to US. If, it wasn't
for you we shouldn't have got on the right
track so soon, should we, sergeant?'
Sergeant Westaway, who was not very
quick at arriving at conclusions, had dis
covered that Detective Gillett was generally
ready to call him to official comradeshp
in the mistakes that had been made, but less
disposed to give him an equal share in any
success achieved. He nodded in silent aS-
quiescence with the admission that they
owed something to Crewe.
Sand whom did you see first" asked
Crewe.
II went to the garage first to learn about
the motor car Brett hired" said Gillett. II
had look at their books and found that
he had the car on Friday afternoon. COT
ford will not only swear by his books, but
he remembers distinctly that it was on FRI
day that Brett had the car. AS he told
you, the next thing he heard of it way
that it was lying in the ditch about SIX
miles away. He says Brett, when telephone
but that is probably . lie. As Brett wal
making his escape he would not be likely f.
say where he was. But can easily find
out from 4 telephone exchange where To
call came from. It was trunk call, and
the only trunk call Gosfcrd received thai
day, 30 there will be no difficulty in Get.
ting it from the records Of the exchange.
Then went to Brett's lodgings in White.
thorn Gardens. This woman, Mrs. Per
field, tried to bluff me-she said she WaS
certain that Brett had left on Thursday,
and that Gosford was mistaken in thinking
Brett had the car on Friday. But, wheh
] threatened to arrest her for being an ac-
cessory, she broke down and admitted that
Brett left her place after lunch on Friday
to drive to Cliff Farm and that she has
not seen or heard Of him since"
''Not seen or heard Of him." echoed
Crewe meditatively.
"By this time felt that / was getting
on" continued Giilett. -.
Sergeant Westaway nodded to himself
in sour depression at the deliberate *
elusion Of himself from the story of prog
ress.
II next called at Oranges shop. westa-
way showed me the place."
"Ah" exclaimed the sergeant, rs if be
were in pain.
Il explained to Grange who was and
he nearly fell through the floor with fright.
l saw there would not be much difficulty
in dealing with him. But the ugly little
dwarf upstairs was q different proposition.
She protested that she and her husband
had happened there. Even when I ma
duced the hat you gave me she would
rot give in. But when produced %