Evening star., 1923-10-22

railings are broken down. There are
no lights about there, and stranger
wandering about or losing his way
could easily fall over the edge. Now.
on the night of Sir Roberts
'Murder." corrected the detective.
laconically.
"As / was returning home" Stead
went on, ignoring the Interruption.
Il heard groans proceeding from TINS
quarry as from some one In great
pain. The quarry lies between my
house and some old cottages whsh
were left in the fields when the col
liery was laid out.
II procured help from the cottages,
and a lantern, and went down into
the quarry. There I found man an
rock over which he had evidently
fallen. He was groaning, but un-
conscious. AS soon as l saw him L
recognized him."
Inspector Cortelyou looked up with
nized him." he exclaimed. AS
whom?"
"As a certain DR.. Julius Stsinthal
from London, who for many years
had from time to time pestered Sir
Robert with a scheme for neutraliz-
ing the effect of after damp in the
case of an explosion and had given
him a great deal of annoyance" an
swered Stead
In fact. lately he had scarcely left
Sir Robert alone; and though Sir
Robert did not believe in the inven-
tion or scheme, Steinchais letters be-
came almost threatening. My own
impression is that he is not quite
sane"
well, you found him in the quarry
what then?" asked the detective.
IT had him conveyed to the cot
tage of a woman who goes out nurs-
ing and has a room to spare, Mrs.
Hardacre," answered Stead.
Il sent for DR.. HILBERT and a
nurse. The doctor found that Stein
thai had broken a leg and some ribs
and that there was some injury to
his head. AS a matter of fact, he
has lost his memory"
Inspector Cortelyou closed his
pocketbook with snap.
He is still, then, at the cottage?"
he said.
"Oh. yes, and is being well looked
after" answered Stead. lie can't
Now. then. what is your theory?"
Il believe he killed Sir Robert" re-
piled Stead slowly. He had no hat
or cap when / found him-;he deer
stalker fits him; moreover, / have
seen him in it, for he has visited
Mannersley several times. He knew
obtained admission through that open
window, and left by it after he had
committed the murder"
The detective, who had put on his
hat and picked up his umbrella,
nodded.
Pm very much obliged to you, Mr.
Stead" he said. You are helping
considerably to clear matters up.
Now, you won't object to walking
down to the station with me? We
must tell this to Illingworth."
"Oh. not at ALL" replied Stead. II
am glad to be of help. Anything TO
clear Sir Clinton of this dreadful
charge"
He accompanied Inspector Cortel-
you to the station and into Hing
worth's room. The latter looked at
them in surprise-Inspector Cortel-
you gave him a look and a wink.
And somehow the little man from
Scotland Yard managed to get be-
tween Stead and the door He sud
denly spoke, and his voice sounded
strangely different.
Now, Mr.. Stead" he said, its no
use mincing matters. Quite apart
from what you've told me this morn
ing, all of which 1 can quickly verify
for myself, Mr.. Illingworth and 1
were going to call to see you a little
later, as We wished to see you on
an important matter. However, here
you are, so we needn't waste time.
The fact is. Mr.. Stead, we hold n
warrant for your arrest"
Stead, who had been staring at the
detective as If he were trying 10
make out the sudden change in his
voice and manner, started back.
"A warrant-for my arrest?" he