Evening star., 1924-03-23
By J. S. FLETCHER
Copyright 1s2s by Norman Remington Company

that leads from that clearing through
the woods to a wicket.gate in the
road to Lynchfield: Well, one OF my
men found this charm lying on the
side of that path, just where I've
marked little cross in red ink. See?'
II see" answered Styler. He was
looking the map thoroughly over, and
he he noticed , that & the ,d spot at at, wh1GR hniK
separated by the thick screens of wood
at the outer boundary of the park
from Mr.. Samuel Pegge's bungalow
on one side and from Mrs. Renton's
more pretentious residence on anoth-
or. YES, l see. You didn't notice any
signs of struggle there. / suppose"'
Not sign" replied the inspector
II saw 10 that myself. And as soon
as this thing was found l went over
to Lynchfield to see if this man Tick
his watch chain. But all the chain
he had was a plain steel curb. And
il didn't come off anything that
Kesteven wore, neither. and nobody
up at the court recognized it took
it up and showed it round"
Styler secretly despised this method
of investigation. but he held his
tongue on that point. The claims of
a hungry stomach were beginning to
assert themselves within him.
Well, take care of it" he said,
making for the door. You never
know what big results arise out of
small things of that sort. I'll keep
my eyes open. and if L ever hear
anything iii meet you as l hope
you'll meet me. AS you say were
all in the same boat"
Then he went TO the Lynne Arms
and ate and drank, and kept his ears
open to the talk which was going
on in that crowded hostelry. and
heard 4 great many startling and
original theories. and convinced him
self that nothing is so pleasing to
the average idler as to yentilate his
notions on things which he does not
understand, and eventually he jour
neyed leiSurely back to town and
went early to bed. And next morn
ing. clothed in his most respectable
garments instead of in his motor
bicycling habiliments, he met Smith
at Gloucester Road station.
That's right. Styler. said Smith.
who in his turn appeared in highly
correct attire. You did well 10 think
of that. We've got to intrude our
selves upon severely proper circles
today-at least. think so. And first
of all. this florists. We must know.
If possible. who sent that wreath.
OF course" he went on. as master
and man walked together up Glou-
formed some opinion on that sub
ject?"
Not much" answered Styler. 1T
hasn't quite come into my field of
operation. II may put ~ lnal way
sir-but l suppose it will in a few
minutes. If I We're to hear that the
wreath had been sent by Miss Brock
T should know what to think. l
should also know what to think if |
found that il had been sent by Mrs.
Renton. who certainly went to meet
Miss Brock the other night. But
we shan't hear that it came from
either Of them. Mr.. Smith"
You think not. Styler"" exclaimed
Smith. "Now, why, pray"
Both of ems a deal too fly, sir"
answered Styler. 'Leastways. if I'm
any judge of character"
Smith ruminated over this opinion
until they arrived at the florists
shop On its threshold he also arrived
a the conclusion that his clerk was
probab bly, right. Mrs. Renton was GER
tainiy a woman who was we'll able
to hold her own: Miss Brock. just
a c cerfa in y lnok K ed the sort of Nnunp