New Britain herald., 1925-03-19
BEGIN HERE TODAY

a gentleman who asks pretty, put I'll be hanged if l shell out to R blackguard who tries to bluff me"
 Now I wonder" unused Inspec- tor Wragge presently as he strolled down the drive after pocketing the check and thanking the donor. T wonder whether a man who de- serves to be hanged would refer to the operation so lightly. also won- der who the red-nosed blackmailer is. Possibly I shall have the pleas ure of travelling back to town in the same train with him"
 And as he made his way to the railway station he further reflected on his good fortune in having met at the lodge gates the West End specialist who had treated him for nerves"
 Meanwhile Doctor Melville was taking leave of his host in spite of clustering requests thst he should remain.
 Out of the question:" he resisted firmly. My patients have first call on me. Besides, I cant be of any use to you here, now that the !n- quest has let you out. Your best plan Is to keep quiet and let the rumors die down, unless there is something vital that you are con- cealing from me-
 Sir Dudley dropped his eyes be- fore the probing gaze.
 "No," he said. No, I haven't concealed anything from you, Mel vile. I didn't kill my cousin George"
 Melville shrugged his shoulders and went away to pack his bag. His brows were drawn together in puzzled frown.
 You may not have killed your cousin George" he muttered, but you have done something, my friend, that is pretty rotten. And if l am any judge of physiognomy you con- template doing something else that won't bear inspection. It would be interesting to know what view Wragge takes. I must look the emil nent detective up in my case-book when l get home"
 CHAPTER VIII
 Violence
 The evil which the nerve special ist believed Sir Dudley to be plot ting was not long in coming to ma turity. On the day after Trickey's call and Melville's departure from Beechwood Grange he went to Lon- don and put Up at the Millennium hotel in Plccadilly. On the same afternoon he had taxi called and gave the driver the address of Lady Marrables in Cadogan Gardens.
 Kathleen and her dowager guard ian, after being practically turned out of the Grange, had ostensibly resumed their normal existence.
 All Kathleen's old suspicious of her cousin Dudley had been revived by the weird incident in the Beech wood coverts. The trouble was that she did not know 10 whom to turn for aid. That local wiseacre, Ser geant Mitchell of the county police, had agreed with the verdict of the fury and she was ignorant that Scotland Yard was interested.
 She had forgotten Mir. stephen Colnc's offer to Sir Dudley of his official influence in that direction, but the offer had not been made 10 her and She was reluctant to ap- proach the cabinet minister. There remained only her lover Norman Slater.
 And then, about the time that Sir Dudley was leaving his hotel to call at Cadogan Gardens, a dis reputable stranger was ushered in who revived her dropping hopes.
 A discreet and elderly parlormaid answered Sir Dudlcy's ring and in formed him that her ladyship was not at home. Yes, Miss Glenister was in, but for the moment she was engaged with another - per son.
 Struck by the woman's tone, the baronet inquired if the person was anyone he was likely 10 know.
 Hardly, l should think, sir, ex- cept perhaps in the Tay of busi- ness" was the demtfre reply. He looks like a dog fancier. I don't ex- pect he will be long, If you will 
 come in and wait"
 Sir Dudley accepted the invita- ton and was shown into cloak and-hat room, whence he had a view of the hall. He had not been there two minutes when he heard steps descending the stairs. A mo- ment later the parlormaid crossed his line of vision, conducting MT. Simon Trickey, red-bulbed-nose, loud-check suit and all complete, to the front door.
 The baronct started up 10 inter- cept his former clerk. checked the impulse and waited till the maid appeared to take him upstairs to the drawing When he was announced Kathleen was folding and placing in her purse a slip of paper. She completed the operation carefully before she deigned to no- tice her latest visitor.
 "Weli?" she said. looking up al last, this is an unexpected honor - after being turned out of the Grange so recently" Evidently this was 10 be a due sans merci on either side. "I had to ask my guests to leave because most of them were con spring against me" replied sil } Dudley. You and that puppy slatei worse than any. But I am here tC open the doors Of Beechwoot