New Britain herald., 1925-03-28
BEGIN HERE TO-DAY

James Wragge, detective, as- signed to the case, begins search for the two young lovers
 NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY
 CHAPTER XX
 The Whispering Gallery '.
 Inspector Wragge followed the old butler through the green baize door on the tip-toe of expectation. Here at last was man who for years had lived at the very heart of the happenings which led up to the Beechwood mystery and who seemed to want to tell him things The pantry proved to be a cozy and secluded den, far removed from the chatter of the kitchen, and evident ly a sanctum into which minor satellites of the household would not dare to intrude.
 Hinkley produced bottle of port and with trembling fingers filled two glasses.
 I'm all shaken up, sir he said. "I heard you tell the master that Miss Kathleen and Captain Slater have eloped - but 1t cant be true. There was no need for them to run away together. Both of age and Lady Marrables set on the match. There's something behind 1t all"
 Wragge felt that 1t would be good policy to give confidence for confi- dence. T agree with you," he said. "I don't mind telling you that for the moment I am more concerned with Miss Kathleen Glenister's safety than with tracking her brothers murderer. What exactly do you apprehend has befallen her. MT, Hinkley?"
 God knows" was the reply. T don't trust the master since our young lady turned against him over that ghastly finger, sweet as he used to be on her. He was away all yesterday till late at night, and he went out again after breakfast this morning He had only just come in when you called"
 See here, Mr. Hinkley. all this is very serious" the inspector said in his most seductive tone. And the gravity has been increased by the arrival of the lady you ad- mitted as I was leaving the library. I have reason to believe that she is culpably implicated in the case"
 "No error there. sir" the butler rejoned with quavering heartiness' Mrs. Coningsby wants to be Lady Glenister you can lay to that. It would suit her to rights for the girl the master hankered after to meet with foul play"
 You are a colleague to be proud of" Wragge pursued his advantage You won't raise any objection ii I creep back into the entrance hall and use my ears at the library door,"
 The buffers face lit up with sen ile glee. T can do you better than that" he said. "I'll take you up tc tf:e whispering gallery. You car hear every word spoken in the H. brary and see what's going or through the Judas-hole. The place was fixed up by the monks hun dreds of years ago when this house was a priory. I never told Sir Dud ley about it."
 Wragge finished his wine and stood up. Take me there at once, he said.
 "If we meet any of the maid you are a plumber, sir" rejoined Hinkley.
 But they met no maids as witt all due caution they mounted back staircase, traversed severa corridors and so came to a spare bedroom on the front landing. Her' the butler did something to the carved mantelpiece and Wragge found himself passing through g suddenly disclosed aperture in the wall to a narrow space that smell of all the ages.
 There is the Judas-hole," saic Hinkley, pointing to a pin-prick O. light in the darkness of the secre' gallery. T will wait in the bed room, but I must shut you in ol you won't hear anything. Tap wher you want to come out.
 The panel slid back into place and Wragge at once heard voice' in heated altercatioD.
 "I don't believe you," the woman . was saying. You've got the gir somewhere and you are trying tt force her to marry you. I warn yot here and now. Dudley, that l won1 stand it. You have got to marry m' or take the consequences" Wragge's eye was glued to th' Judas-hole by now. The scene be low in the library was as clear al if viewed frompa stage box, yet h' was peering through a perforatior in the wall so small that it rnigh' have been the puncture of needle The consequences?" sneered th' master of Beechwood. What con sequences can you threaten m' with, my dear Ivy" She raised one of her clenchet fists. T will denounce you 10 Scot land Yard" she replied in low tense tones. "I will repeat to thi nolice the revelations of my broth CTS diary, showing how you fakef the details of George Glenister1' death. Simon Trickey shall come back from the grave to accuse you
 Sir Dudley's laugh rang out un' ! afraid. If Simon is dug up he will make it a good deal hotter for you than for me-" he retorted. You arc hardly in a position 10 throw stones from your poor little glass house T.v Your disclosure to me about that dose of poison would interest scotland Yard far more than youT ! .. e- -,,,nd rnrnIIections of Et.