New Britain herald., 1924-10-24

.a tragedy. A man named Hardy, em- ploHed in the packing department had mad some complaint to his foreman Finley and they had gone in 10 the firm together, apparently 10 have the dispute settled, MT Moss, the head partner, lnterviewed them, and said afterwards that the complaint was a trlVial matter regarding the system of packing. The next day Finley's body vas found in the river which ran beside the factory, and Hardy had disap- peared. Finley had been killed, there was no doubt about that, and there was some evidence that he had been killed In the factory but when the case came into Rawson's hands he was inclined to doubt this, l. was extremely un- likely that Finley would have been in the factory after closing hours on the previous day Moreover Rawson had established the fact that both men were in love with a girl who lived in a neighboring village. and although he had not actually put the crime down to rivalry, there was little doubt amonp the hands this was the line he had taken.
 They were both good chaps" one man told me, and I can't see Hardy killing a man"
 The men and women in the factory had another theory. Most of them were natives of the district and when some old woman remembered that the factory was on the site of Moat Farm, once occupied by a notorious evil udoer who was said to be In league with the devil, and who ended his career by committing suicide. his ghost, suddenly rampant was accorded a place in the mystery. The devil was in the affair. they said. Not a soul would go near the factory at night and those who were able to do so had found employ ment elsewhere. Hence my getting 8 job.
 Screed had given me no definite line to follow, but since he had told me to get friendly with the hands, presumed this ghost theory interested him More over, he had made rather a point of telling me that Mrs. Worral had an other lodger and I concluded that she also interested him. I had been al Chalworth three days before saw her, and Mrs. Worrars statement that she was eccentric appeared to be justified | She was an elderly lady. was inclined to resent another lodger. and it was the chance of my being able to do her small service which reconciled her to my presence in the cottage.
 Tn the pickle factory, are you, Mir. | Smith?" I had called myself Smith. | T tried to get work there but they wouldn't have, me-" 1
 I tried to be sympathetic, but I may have smiled She was quite elderly, | not to Say old with side curls over her ears, and always wore her bonnet, in | the house and out. She certainly did | not look equal to the hard work of factory.
 You think they were right, that I l am not strong enough" she returned. 1 Lord, I'm doing harder work to keep body and soul together than making pickles. Land work that's what I'm | doing. That is why am not here always at night; have to stay near my work for a day Or two together I've only got odd jobs so far How do they make pickles, young man."
 T am only in the packing depart ment.'
 Well, how do they pack them? Don't you take no interest in your tob?"
 Anxious to draw her out I talked 1 about the work. and she showed an interest in and some knowledge of fac tory methods. was convinced that | was right in concluding that Screed was interested in her.
 T may get promoted 10 the actual manufacture in time. Mrs. Wheeler" I said.
 Lord you'll be tired of Ii and on the tramp again before that happens" she returned.
 May be-
 You've done something to bring you down in the world, that's what you've done, young man, And I'll tell you secret; they didn't shut me out of the pickle factory because I wasn't strong enough; there was another reason"
 She was not to be persuaded to tell me the reason. Plugging her secret she went off to bed. wondered if she slept in that bonnet of hers.
 The next day saw Inspector Raw son for the first time. One of the hends told me who he was, He was closeted with Mir. Moss and two other partners for some time, and afterwards made tour of the factory. He put one or two sharp questions to foremen here | and there. and glanced keenly at one h pr two individual workmen. Remem- ( oering screed's advice I became as un-