Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1924-03-06

D1SAy eP~A NHc NOoAAcA "AtN -'@N
knuckles.
I'VE can stand anything but Gus
pense." he. declared. Get on with
your shock-givlng."
Il believe that the person RESPONSE
bic for the death Of Victor Bidlake Is
In this room at the present moment.
Francis declared.
Again the silence. curious. tense and
dramatic. Little Jimmy. the bartender,
who had leaned forward TO listen,
stood with his mouth slightly open and
the cocktail-shaker which was 10 his
hand leaking drops upon the counter,
The first conscious impulse OF every
body seemed to be to glance suspi-
clously around the room. The four
young men at the bar, Jimmy and one
waiter. Francis and Sir Timothy Brast.
were its only occupants.
Il say, you know, that's bit thick,
isn't lt?" Sidney voss stammered at
last. Il wasn't In the place at ALL |
was in Manchester. but It's bit rough
on these other chaps, victor's pals"
Il was dining at the Cafe Royal"
Jacks declared, loudly.
Morse drew a little breath.
Every one knows that l was at
Brighton" he muttered.
II went home directly the bar here
closed Jimmy said, in a still dazed
tone. Il heard nothing about It till
the next morning"
"Alibls by the bushel." Fairfax
laughed harshly. "As for me. was
doing my shOw-every one knows that.
1 was never In the place at ALL"
"The murder was not committed In
the place." Francis commented calmly.
Fairfax slid OF his stool. A spot of
color blazed in his pale cheeks, the
glass which he was holding snapped
In his fingers. He seemed suddenly
possessed.
Il say, what the hi are you get
ting att" he cried. "Are you accusing
me-Or any OF us-Victor's PALSY
Il accuse no one" Francis replied,
unperturbed. ''You invited a state
ment from me and made IT,"
Sir Timothy Brast rose from his
place and made his way to the end
OF the counter, next to Fairfax and
nearest Francis. He addressed the
former. There was an inscrutable
smile upon his lips. his manner was
reassuring.
Young gentleman" he begged.
pray do not disturb yourself I will
answer for II that neither you nor any
Of your friends are the objects OF Mr..
Ledsam's suspicion. without a doubt, |
1t Is / to whom his somewhat bold |
statement refers"
They all stared at him. Immersed in
another crisis bereft Of speech. He |
tapped a cigarette upon the counter
and lit IT, Fairfax, whose glass had
just been reflled by the bartender. was
still CHASTITY pale, shaking with nerv-
BUSINESS and breathing hoarsely.
Francis. tense and alert IN his chair,
watched the speaker. but said moth
ing.
You see" Sir Timothy continued.
addressing himself to the four young
men at the bar, II happen TO have
two special aversions In life. One
is sweet champagne and the other am
ateur detectives-their stories, their
methods and everything about them.
CHANGED 10 SIT upstairs in the res
taurant. within hearing Of Mr.. Ledsam
and his friend Mr.. Wilmore. the novel.
LIST. the other night, and heard Mr..
Ledsam, very much TO my chagrin
announce his intention of abandoning
a career in which he has, II he will
allow me to say so."-with a courte-
Gus bow TO Francis-'attained con-
siderable distinction, to indulge In the
fiamboyant and melodra-
matte antics Of the lesser Sherlock
Holmes. Ifear that could not resist
the opportunity Of joking him about
bis new avocatlon."
Every one was listening intently, .
including Shopland. who had just drift
ed into the room and subsidized into
4 chair near Francis.
II moved my place. therefore" Sir
Timothy continued, land l whispered
IN Mr.. Ledsam's ear some rodomon-
JADE to the effect that II he were
planning TO be the giant crime-detect-
" Of the world. was by ambition the
lrchcrimInaI-or words TO that effect
IND to give emphasis to my words, I
wound up by prophesylng crime !
a the immediate vicinity OF the place
within a few hours"
"A somewhat significant prophecy, :
nder the circumstances. Francis re-
marked. reaching out for a dish Of 6
allied almonds and drawing them to-
yards him.
Sir Timothy shrugged his shoulders 6
y
Il will confess" he admitted, "that =
had not In my mind an affair Of 2
UGH dimensions. My harmless re- Z
mark, however. has produced cataclys- =
lic effects. The conversation to which y
refer took place on the night of
Dung Bidiake's murder. and Mr.. Led ~
am. with my somewhat, ] confess. v
ombastic words in his memory, has .
ffched up0n me as the bl0Odthlrsty