Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1924-07-04

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Bidlake and Fairfax, and that l knew
something Of their quarrel You were
an intimate friend of young Bidlake's
and presumably In his confidence. 1t
occurs to me, therefore, that Mr.. Shop
land might very well have visited you
in search of information, linking me
up with that unfortunate affair. Hence
your little note to me-"
Miss Hyslop rose to her feet. She
| had the appearance of being very
angry indeed.
do you mean to insinuate-" she
began.
Madam, insinuate nothing" Sir
Timothy interrupted sternly II only
desire to suggest this. You are
| young lady whose manner of living, l
| gather, is to certain extent precari-
Gus. 1t must have seemed to you
likelier source of profit to withhold
any information you might have to
give at the solicitation of rich man,
than to give 1t free gratis and for
nothing to a detective. Now am l
rightp'
Miss Hyslop turned towards the
door. She had the air Of person who
had been entirely misunderstood.
81 wrote you out of kindness, Sir
Timothy" she said in an aggrieved
manner. IT shall have nothing more
to say on the matter-to you, at any
rate"
Sir Timothy sighed.
"You see," he said turning to the
others, II have lost my chance of con-
cliating a witness. My check-book re-
mains locked up and she has gone over
to your side"
She turned around suddenly.
you know that you made Bobby
Fairfax kill Victor! !" she almost
shouted.
Sir Timothy smiled in triumph.
my dear young lady," he begged,
"let us now be friends again. / de-
sired to know your trump card. For
that reason l fear that l have been a
little brutal No; please don't hurry
away. You have shot your bolt. AL
ready Mr.. Shopland is turning the
thing over In his mind. Was lurking
outside that night, Mr.. Shopland, to
guide that young mans fabby arm?
He scarcely seemed man enough for
a murderer, did he, when he sat quak-
ing on that stool in Soto's bar while
Mr.. Ledsam tortured him? / beg you
again not to hurry, Miss Hyslop. AT
any rate wait while my servants fetch
you a taxi. 1t was clouding over when
thunderstorm"
"I want to get out Of this house."
Daisy Hyslop declared. Il think you
are all horrible. Mr.. Ledsam did be-
have like a gentleman when he came
to see me, and Mr.. Shopland asked
questions civilly. But you" she
added, turning round to Sir Timothy.
"Hush, my DEAR" he interrupted,
holding out his hand. Don't abuse
! me. / am not angry with you-not in
the least-and | am going to prove 1t.
l shall oppose any search warrant
which you might apply for, Mr.. Shop
land, and l think l can oppose 1t with
success. But / invite you two, Miss
Hyslop and Mr.. Ledsam, to my party
on Thursday night. Once under my
roof you shall have carte blanche. You
can wander where you please, knock
on the walls for secret hiding places,
stamp upon the floor for oublietteS.
Upstairs or down, the cellars and the
lofts, the grounds and the park, the
whole of my domain is for you from
midnight on Thursday until four
o'clock. What do you say, Mr.. Shop
land? Does my offer satisfy you7"
The detective hesitated.
Il should prefer an invitation for
myself" he declared bluntly.
Sir Timothy shook his head.
J "Alas, my dear Mr.. Shopland," he
regretted, that is impossible II
had only myself to consider l would
not hesitate Personally like you.
You amuse me more than anyone l
have met for a long time. But unfor-
/ tunately 1 have my guests to consider!
! You must be satisfied with Mr.. Led
sans report"
| Shopland stroked his stubbly mus
tache 1t was obvious that he was not
In the least Disconnected.
/ "There are three days between now
and then," he reflected.
During those three days, Of course"
Sir Timothy said dryly, II shall do my
best to obliterate all traces Of my va
rious crimes. Still, you are a clever
detective, and you can give Mr.. Led
sam a few hints. Take my advice.
You won't get that search warrant,
and If you apply for it none of you
will be at my party"
81 accept" Shopland decided.
Sir Timothy crossed the room, un-
locked the drawer Of a magnificent
writfng-table, and from little packet
drew out two cards Of invitation. They
were of small size but thick, and the
color was brilliant scarlet. On one
he wrote the name of Francis, the
other he filed in for Miss Hyslop.
Miss Daisy HyslOp," he said, shall
we drink a glass Of wine together on
Thursday evening, and will you decide
that although, perhaps, I am not a