The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-02
CHAPTER 2 WHERE IS NOGIf

WHERE IS NOGIf
 Mrs. Peyton well knew Gordon Lockwood's disposition to show any emotion, and in spite of his calm, she was almost certain he shared her own belief that John Waring was not merely alseep.
 We must 4et to him." Lockwood said, after a moments pause. Can you get through one of these win dows, Ito. and unbolt the door?"
 No, sir; these windows do not open at all"
 Not open7 Why not?
 Save to remark the beauty of their color and design. Lockwood had never before noticed the windows. especial- ly, and was genuinely surprised to discover that they could not be opened at all.
 @of what use are thtD?" he unused, aloud: They give very little light"
 They were outside windows before the study was built" Mrs. Peyton told him. and when the stained glass was put in, it was merely for deeoration, and the panes were not made nov able" ..
 Well, we must get in." said Lock wood. almost impatiently. How shall we do 1t? You, Ito, must know
 No, sir, there Is no way. Unless. the long window is unfastened."
 The long French window-really a double door-was on the other side of the study, exactly opposite the use less high windows that gave into the dining room.
 To reach 1t one must go out and around the house
 Tt is very bad snow" Ito shruE-
 You heathen!" Lockwood ex- claimed, scornfully. and himself (NVf around to the side of the house.
 Mrs. Peyton started to follow, but the secretary bade her go back lest she take cold.
 He reached tho French window only to find 1t locked on the inside, lie could not see in through the cur talned panes, and impulsively he raised hisf foot and kicked through the glass at point high enough to allow of his putting in a hand and turning back the latch.
 He went into the room, and after the briefest glance at the man by the desk he went on and unbolted inc door to the hall.
 Helen had Joined her mother and Ito, and the three stood covering on the threshold. .e
 He is dead" Gordon Lockwood said, in calm, unemotional way. But not by stroke-he has killed
 
 How do you know?" Mrs. Peyton cried, her eyes staring and her face white.
 Co away. Helen." Lockwood said; go back into the living room. and stay away"
 And willingly the girl obeyed. went on. You must see him, though 1t will shock you. See, the flow of blood is dreadful. He stabbed or shot himself.'
 s conquering her aversion to the sight Mrs. Peyton drew nearer, and as Lockwood had said. the condition of the4 body was terrible indeed. K Wounded, apparently in the side of the head, Waring had fallen forward in such way, that the actual wound was concealed. but the fact was only too apparent that he had bled to death. The blotter on the desk and many of the furnishings were crim- soned and there was large and dark stain on the rug.
 He Is positively dead" said Lock- wood, in cool, even tone, "so I advise that we do not touch the body but send at once for Dr. Greenfield. He will know what best to do."
 "Oh. you cold blooded wretch" Mrs. Peyton burst forth, uncontrol- ably. Have you no f1<lings what soever? You stand there like a wood- en image, when the best man in the world lies dead before you! And you, Ito" She turned on the awe-struck butler. You're another of those i'm passive, unnatural creatures. Oh, I hate you bothp'
 The housekeeper ran from the room. and was soon closeted with her daughter, who at least showed agitation and grief at the tragedy that had occurred.
 The two she had called impassive stood regarding one another.
 "Who did 1t, Master?" inquired the Japanese, calmly.
 "Who did it." Lockwood stared at him. Why, he did 1t himself. Ito."
 Otherwise immovable. the Oriental shook his head in dissension, but Lockwood was already at the tele- phone, and needed him not.
 Dr. Greenfield consented to come over at once. and Lockwood going to the livingroom. advised the Pey- tons to have breakfast, as there was terrible ordeal ahead of them.
 "Pl have some coffee with you, if Helen, it's pretty awful for you. but you must try to be brave girl"
 A grateful glance thanked him for. the kindness, and Lockwood returned quickly to the study.
 What are you doing?" he said sternly as he saw Ito bending over the dead man. :.
 ..-Nothing. sir" and the butler strengthened up quickly and stood at attention.
 Leave the room. and do not return, here without permission. Serve breakfast to the ladies. Where is Nogi?"
 "He is gone, sir"
 Gone where?'
 "That do not know. Last night he was here. Now he is gone. I know, no more."
 out"
 "Yes. str"
 Left to himself. Gordon Lockwood gazed thoughtfully about the room. He did not confine his attention to the bent figure of his late employer, nor even to the desk or it's nearby surroundings. He wandered about looking at the windows, the floor. the furniture.
 One chair, standing r.ttfier neer the desk, he, looked at intentlg. An ex- pression of bewilderment came into his face, followed by look of dis may
 Then, after a cautious, almost fur hand quickly.sov the plush back of tive, glance about him. he passed his the chair, rubbing 1t hard. with a scrubbing motion.
 Then he looked about the room even more eagerly and carefully, and finally sat down on the same plush chair. to await the doctors arrival.
 Helen Peyton came timidIy ta sAe T ~. ff, arlr Ia f<.7 ~ r.