The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1924-02-22

L /. y %
forward case."' Francis said slowly.
"Ollver Hilditch Is the principal part
ner in an. American financial company
which has recently opened Offices In
the West End. He seems to have m.
rived Ia England about two years ago.
70 have taken house In Hill street.
and to have spent q great deal OF
money. A month or so ago. his partner
| from New York arrived In London. a
man named Jordan Of whom nothing
was known. It has since transpired.
however. that his journey to Europe
was undertaken because he was unable
| to obtain certain figures relating to the
business, from Hildltch. Oliver Hi
ditch met him at Southampton, trav-
eled with him to London and found him
room at the Savoy. The next day the
whole Of the time seems to have been
| spent In the Office, and 1t is certain.
from the evidence Of the clerk, that
some disagreement took place between
the two men. They dined together,
however. apparently ON good terms, at
the Cafe Royal. and parted In Regent
street soon after ten At twelve o'clock
Jordan's body was picked up on the
| pavement In Hill street. within few
PAGES Of Hilditch's door. He had been
stabbed through the heart with some
| aeedle-like weapon, and was lutte
| dead.
WAS there any vital cause OF guar
rel between themr' Wilmore inquired.
Impossible to say" Francis replied,
THE financial position Of the company
depends entirely upon the value Of d
large quantity OF speculative bonds.
but as there was only one clerk emf
ployed. It was impossible to get at any
figures. Hilditch declared that. Jordan
| had only q small share in the business.
from which he had drawn considera-
Bile income for years. and that he had
not the slightest cause for complaint"
"What were Hilditch's movements
| that EVENING"" Wilmore asked.
"Not soul seems to have seen him.
after he left Regent street." was the
somewhat puzzled answer. "His own
story was quite Straightforward and
has never been contradicted. He let
himself into his house with latch
key after his return from the Cafe
Royal drank whisky and soda In the
| library, and went to bed before half
| past eleven. The whole affair"
| Francis broke or abruptly In the
| middle Of his sentence He sat with
his eyes fxed upon the door, silent
| and speeches..
"What In Heavens name Is the mat
ter, old fellow7" Wilmore demanded.
gazing at his companion In blank
amusement
The latter pulled himself together
with an effort. The sight Of the two
new arrivals talking TO Louis. the head
| waiter. on the threshold Of the res
taurant, seemed for the moment to
have drawn every scrap Of color from
| his cheeks. Nevertheless, his recovery
was almost instantaneous.
''If you want to know any more" ne
said calmly, lyon had better go and ask
him to tell you the whole story himself.
There he is"
| "And the woman with him I" VII
more exclaimed. under his breath.
"His wife!'' Is
To reach their table. the one con-
! corning which Francis and his friend
had been specializing, the new arrivals.
/ piloted by Louis, had to pass within
few feet Of the two men. The woman,
serene, coldly beautiful. dressed like
Frenchwoman in unrelieved black, with
extraordinary attention to details.
passed them by with careless glance
and subsidized into the chair which
/ Louis was holding. Her companion,
however. as he recognized Francis. hes
/ itated. His expression Of somewhat
austere gloom was lightened. pleas
ant but tentative smile parted his lips.
He yentured upon salutation. half a
| nod, half more formal bow. saluta-
ton which Francis instinctiyely re-
turned. Andrew Wilmore looked ON
with curiosity. b
$50 that is Oliver Hilditch7" he muir
| INJURED.
THAT is the man." Francis observed.
"of whom last evening half the people
In this restaurant were probably asking
themselves whether or not he was
guilty of murder. Tonight they will be
wondering what he Is going to order
| for dinner. 1t Is strange world"
Strange, indeed" Wilmore assented.
"This afternoon he was in the dock.
with his fate In the balance-the con-
demned cell or a favored table at
/ Claridge's. And your meeting! One
| can imagine him gripping your hands,
with tears In his eyes, his voice broken
with emotion, sobbing out his thanks.
4 And instead you exchange polite
bows. / would not have missed this
situation for anything"
"Tradesman y Francis scoffed. "One
can guess already at the plot Of your
next novel,"
"He has courage" Wilmore declared.
"He has also very beautiful compan-
ion. Were you serious. Francis. when
1 Won fold me that that was his Wife?"