Evening star., 1925-04-19

woman was watching him and laugh.
ing.
Very interesting" was the smiling
observation. I'VE will leave him
where he is for a quarter of an hour
while l finish my chapter. He will
not disturb US"
A Nm, seated alone in her little out
I side Office, was buried in news
paper Daniel found her there and
paused on his way to his own sane
tum.
FASHIONS" he asked.
She shook her head.
Murder" she answered. Have you
read what they call the Salisbury
Plain mystery"
Il haven't seen paper for a week. "
You neglect a great deal when you
leave the newspapers so severely
alone" Ann told him. I'm your pro-
fession-"
Don't be silly" Daniel interrupted.
NV profession is a reader of code
manuscripts"
1T seems to me- she observed,
that you have nervous fear of be-
ing called a detective"
Well, I'm not a detective" he an
swered, irritably. II am affiliated with
that branch of the Criminal Investiga-
tion Department which goes by the
name of Q 20, and that's a different
thing altogether"
Would you like to know about the
Salisbury Plain mystery" she asked.
IF you can tell it to me in a few
words" he answered.
THE Salisbury Plain mystery is
briefly this" she recounted. Richard
RryaO a cornrnonpIaco upadyant,,rous
commercial traveller, left Wincanton
about 3 o'clock one afternoon last
week for Bruntingford, where he
meant to stay the night. He had with
him samples of drapery and he drove
q motor car. The next morning his
car was found overturned by the side
of the road in one of the loneliest
parts of the district and he himself
was found close to it. almost un-
recognizable and quite dead"
why unrecognizable?" Daniel in
quired.
Because of terrible injuries to the
back of his head" she explained.
Every account affirms that the in
could have been caused by any acct
dent. Further than that, the roads
were dry and there was no sign Of
any skid; the night, though windy,
was not dark; the lamps of the car
were in order. and the man was a
highly capable driver"
ANY money about?"
All the money he had with him and
some checks in his possession We're
found in his pocketbook"
Luggage? Samples"
Untouched, lying with the wreck
of the car"
Anything in the mans private life
TO suggest an enemy?"
Not a chance OF it." she answered.
He was dull little man, living a
dull little life"
1T sounds queer" Daniel admitted.
IT is queer" she agreed.
It's a police job. anyway" Daniel
concluded as he passed on into his
office. Miss Lancaster re,
sumed her study of the Salisbury
Plain mystery.
Inc young man got off his bicycle
and stared at the signpost.
Bruntingford Z Miles," he read.
We'll, I'm blowed!"
lie drew map from his pocket and
sat considering it. When he had fold
ed 1t up he was still in doubt. II had
Deen raining off and on, but the sun
was shining now and the air moist
ana not. He eased the knapsack on
MS shoulders and mounted to his bi-
cycle again. He took the road which.
accorolng to the signpost, led to
III stop at the first farmhouse T
come 70 and see If they'll give me
some tea" he decided. II shall know
Tor certain where am then"
y X +
HE first house he came to stood
some distance back from the road
ana was very much larger than the
ordinary farmhouse 1t had once
without doubt, been a mansion of re.
pute, but it had apparently fallen
now upon evil days. The young man,
whose name was Harry Dawson. was
not or the genus who are afraid of
shuDs' =, SO ne wheeled his bicycle up to
me 1ront door and rang the bell. His
hopes were a little dashed, however.
mnen ne round himself confronted, a
rev seconds later, by an exceedingly
well dressed and very hesntif,;,
woman. not at all a likely dispenser
OF cheap hospitalities.
Beg your pardon. I'm sure" Daw.
son declared. II was looking for a
Of tea" cup
Pray come in," the lady invited
II will give you one. with
pleasure "-'ii
was thinking of something about
he explained. with plenty
of bread and butter
THAT will be quite all right" the
lady promised him.
He leaned his bicycle against tbe
outside wall and followed her into the
mouse. A man, apparently of her own
station of life, who was writing at a
table, looked up inquiringly.
This young gentleman" she an
nounced, wants some tea. with plenty
of bread and butter. You can sit
down here" she told him, while /
go and get it for you"
Look here" Harry Dawson uueried
twirling his cap in his hand, some
thing a bit wrong, amt there? Max
ing fun of me, eh g? This isn't a farm
house or an inn."
Never mind" the lady answered.
with smile. you shall have your
tea
He looked at her in silent adrnira-
ton. She had the most amazing eyes
he had ever seen, and the most beau
tiful deep golden hair.
The woman had left the room, pre-.
sumably to get the tea. The man
rose to his feet, insisted upon his
visitor taking an easy chair, and
seated himself opposite.
Are you on bicycling tour?" he
asked.