New Britain herald., 1925-03-27
CHAPTER XVIII. The Trap Closes.

hotel.
 CHAPTER XVIII.
 The Trap Closes.
 The ancients who named Cupid the blind god" were wise in their generation. No one not under the in- huence of that divinity would have behaved quite so rashly as did Nor man Slater after picking up his clues" at The Bull. It never oc- cured to him that they had been planted on him as a card Is planted by three card tricksters.
 Ali Gringstead's selection of mo- bike had been sound, and the seven miles of road vanished like a lurid dream. With a blast from his horn he tore through Beechwood village, past the lodge gates of Beechwood Grange and so into the network of lanes that led to the stile beyond which wound the woodland path to the cottage of the head-keeper.
 The cycle had earned its rest. Nor man bestowed it among the bracken in dry ditch close to the shle and of necessity set out 10 finish his jour ney on foot. Eventually he came out into the clearing. The diamond paned windows of the cottage were laced with light from within, but there was no moon to show the old mill across the stream.
 He walked up to the door and rapped with his knckles. The scroop of a chair sounded within and a sour-faced woman opened 10 him.
 "Bless us and save us! l thought twas the man with the poultry food,' she exclaimed. What might you please to want, sir?''
 T came to inquire about Miss Gleinster," replied Norman. T have reason to believe that she was here this afternoon.
 Mrs. Grimes moved away from the doorway in an implied invitation to enter which Norman instantly ac- cepted.
 T dunno nothing about Miss Glen ister," she said. i've been out all day. You'd, best ask me husband, There he setsk'
 At the other end of low-Celled living room John Grimes sat on a stool warming his hands at a wood fire. His great shoulders were hunehed in an attitude of dejection. Norman, who was quicker in action than at armchair theory, noticed this, and lie also noticed two other things. On the wall was a telephone. And Mrs. Grimes was struck with sudden soicitude for ar oil lamp which stood on table ir the windOw-bay. She went over tc it and moved the lamp three times before she got it to her satisfaction
 Norman had got 10 know the silen' head-keepcr rather well during thr short period when he had been { shooting guest at the Grange.
 How are you Grimes?" he said forcing the cordial note. You can have forgotten me yet"
 The keeper reared his giant bull from the stool and confronted hi visitor. But he ignored his visitor outstretched hand and avoided hi eye. T mind ye well enough, sir, he said in surly fashion. Come |, stay with the master again9"
 No, l just wanted to ask you few questions, rejoined Norman. H did not like the look of things. Tn mans manner was furtive. Tn woman's action with the lamp nigh have been a signal.
 We've got rare pack of phea ants left" Grimes remarked wit baffiing irrelevance. He lifted hi gaze now, but it was directed owe sNorman's shoulder-toward the dool The keepers hard, gray eyes scene to put a question and to receive a answer.
 Norman took the warning of tha interchange q fraction of a secon too late. His hand flew to the pistC in his pocket, but the bears hug C John Grimes pinioned his arms an a ju-jitsu kick in the small of h back did the rest. ,He vas. borne
 the floor and a moment later he wa , vainly fighting the fumes of ? chloroformed sponge pressed to h . mouth and nostrils.
 CHAPTER XIX, 3 The Art of Iincsse, ? In the train, going down Beechwood next day, Inspect, 9 Wragge was moi in the guise Of