San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-04-29
THE THREE MALEFACTORS
BY E. PHILLIPS OPPENHEIM
onv5Obt E Phillips oppenhim. Arr.N Service, he
Arrgt. NEA Service, he.

downstairs, two OF the pages and q
reception-clerk are equally positive
that it was exactly midnight wher
he came in and went upstairs"
This divergence of evidence"
observed, lis interesting, but
scarcely see what it leads TO. Per
haps l had better talk TO Mr.. John
son for a little time"
The chief constable himself paid
me the honor of a visit, accompanied
by johnson, who was an exceedingly
painstaking and capable officer.
You say that none of the jewelry
has been recovered" l asked.
None of the jewelry in question
fear johnson admitted. MIR
Bloor has two very handsome pins
in his possession, but he was clever
enough TO admit at once that these
were given him by the deceased
You haven't been able TO collect
any evidence as TO his having spoken
TO anyone outside, on his way back
to the Royal?"
Not at present, am sorry to say,
sir."
What about this discrepancy in
the alleged time of his visft?"
That is another of the things we
are trying TO straighten out. Any
way, the night-watchman. who is a
very respectable fellow, is prepared
to swear that he saw Sidney Bloor
re-enter the suite, even though his
idea of the time seems to be out. AS
Stunning that the theft took place
then. though, the motive for the
murder becomes obscure"
And Mr.. Bloor's own story?-
"He came a terrible cropper. sir,
Johnson declared. little trium.
phantly. He at first stated that he
only left the bridge-table when he
cut out. to get some fresh air-that
he leaned over the wall of the prone
made, looking at the sea. the whole
of the time. Afterward he admitted
that he had visited the hotel and
gone up for moment to Mrs.
Trumperton-Smith's suite. where he
thought he had dropped his cigar
case"
The inquest I remarked, "has
been adjourned.
Till Thursday week. Sir Nor
man, the chief constable told me.
The evidence given at the inquest
is at your disposal at any time
Il have already studied it
thanks" l said. II should like. IL
possible to have few words with
the night-porter and with the de-
ceased's maid
The former. whose name was John
OHara. proved TO be very respect
able. stolid and obstinate man. Moth
ing could shake his conviction that
ne had seen Sidney Bloor enter Mrs.
Trumperton-Smith's suite at about
half-past ten and emerge from it five
minutes later. He admitted that the
corridor was badly lighted. but he
would not hear word said against
his watch. | dismissed him with the
conviction that. so far as he knew it.
he was speaking the truth. Then I
sent for the maid. There was
brief delay, followed by the sound
OF soft footsteps outside and the
opening and shutting OF a door. RI
glanced up from the copy of
OHara's evidence which / had been
studying and l received, | think.
the greatest shock of my life. With
her back pressed to the closed door,
her fingers clinging to the handle.
stood the woman whom | had known
as Janet Stanfield.
Neither Of us spoke for several
moments. Her lips were parted. but
if she gave vent to any exclamation.
1t was inaudible. Her eyes were
fixed upon my face in stare of
amazement.
Janet came slowly over toward
me.
II did not know that you we're
here" she said
Nor / that you had re-entered do.
nestle service" l replied.
She flinched a little. but she an.
swered me quite quietly.
Poverty is hard mistress. When
you met me in Bond Street some
months ago, and l lunched with you.
l was engaged at dressmaker's
establishment. Then my husband
sent for me to go to Paris. You
know very well what happened to us
there. l returned TO London worse
off than when l had left it. 1 lost
my situation. Then / became a mani
curist. 1 stood that for about three
weeks. had nine shillings in nv
purse when 1 saw Mrs. Trumper-
ton-Smith's advertisement. / an
swered it and came here"
You are better off now?" ! ven.
tured.
Hadn't you better warn me that
any thing l say may be used as evil
dence against me?' size asked mock.
ingly.
Il agree. Yet l shall ask you one
question, and one only"
do not promise to answer it."
But you will answer it," / insist
ed, watching her steadily, "and you
Will tell me the truth. Had you any
thing to do with Mrs. Trumpterton-
Smiths DEATH"
Il had not she replied unfalter-
ingly.
You were not even an accom-
plice?"
Zone question you promised to
ask, and one | 10 answer" she said.
Il have finished
| was thoughtful for a moment. II
was thinking of the doctors evidence
at the inquest. The coroner had
asked him whether the injuries on
the throat of the deceased could
have been inflicted by woman. The
reply was there on the dispositions
before me: II should think it very
unlikely"
every WE'LL" I said, 81 will waive
M second question. Instead | will
make an appeal to you. l am here
10 try and discover the person who
robbed and murdered your late mis-