Evening star., 1925-04-19

little coffee-room of the hotel. The
frame of mind, paid good deal of
attention to Daniel.
I'VE get an interesting crowd here
sometimes, sir he confided. THE
gentleman in the corner. with spec
tacles. Is an oxford professor with his
Wife
And the gentleman in the other
corner" Daniel inquired.
Professor Philip Fl. Thomson, sir, ="
the man replied. He is from Har-
ward University"
Daniel slipped his coffee, lit a cigar
cite, glanced through the evening
paper, exchanged a few remarks with
Ann, and, with a whispered excuse
to her, made his way toward where
the Harvard professor was seated.
The latter was tall, spare man with
jet-black hair. and he wore rimless
spectacles.
How do you do, Professor Thorn
SOM" Daniel said.
How are you, Mr.. Rocker" was
the quiet but cordial reply. My
name. as L imagine you know. is
Windergate"
Daniel dropped into a chair by his
side.
You're not interfering with the
local police, l hope?" he remarked.
Mr.. Windergate smiled.
They're going to arrest some sol.
diers," he confided.
"A very natural error. You under
stand, Mr.. Windergate, that my in
terest in this is personal. not official
personal because the man who MUIR
dered these two fellows, pretty nearly
had me-
THE Australian surgeon?" Winder-
gate asked like fash.
Daniel nodded.
He is living alone with his wife
in a lonely house close to the scene
OF the murders. Have you authority
enough to take him."
II should say So" Windergate re.
piled. Now tell me all about it?"
Mr.. Windergate was introduced to
Ann and carried the little company
off TO his sitting room, where he drank
in every word of Daniels story with
prompt credullty.
Wen have him tonight, the
pseudo-professor declared. Wen
have him in Salisbury Gaol while
these pumpkins keep their eyes on
the soldiers"
TT WAS about quarter-past nine
when they dropped down the hill
at the foot of which Homans Hall
reared its inhospitable front toward
the road. The two men walked up TO
the front door and rang the bell. In
a few moments they saw the flicker
ing light Of lamp being carried
down the hall. The door was opened.
The woman with the strange eyes
stood there, peering out.
Can We see your husband?" Daniel
asked.
If she recognized him, she made no
sign.
Certainly" she replied Wont
you come in? Have you lost your
way?"
Not exactly
She led them across the hall to the
study, and pushed open the door.
my husband is here" she an
nounced.
Londe looked up and rose to his
feet
Dear mer he exclaimed, with per-
feet composure. IAN old friend, be-
lieve?"
He motioned toward chairs. but
they both remained standing. Londe
still showed not the slightest signs of
uneasiness.
AZ believe l am right" he went on
pleasantly. 1T is Mr.. Daniel Rookie,
is it not? We were on the point of
trying a little experiment together
once when your-er-nerve failed
you
You were on the point of muir
dering me, Sir Joseph Londe," Daniel
rejoined.
"I wish you would not use that alb
surd word" Londe declared irritably.
There was no question of murder at
all. / have been for years trying to
find very small portion of human
brain. to take the place of a damaged
portion Of my own"
"Sir Joseph Londe." Windergate in
terposed, 'we do not wish to hear
anything more, if you please. You
will have to come with me to Sails.
bury-you and your wife"
Londe turned to his wife.
You hear what these gentlemen
say. my dear?" he asked querulously.
The woman folded up her knitting
and rose to her feet.
This gentleman" she said. look
ing at Daniel, her eyes reproa chful
and her tone one of tender regret,
has never been very kind to us.
However, we will 60"
They moved toward the door. Win.
dergate preceded them, Daniel
brought up the rear. They climbed
the broad staircase. Sir Joseph threw
open the door of a large bedroom
my wife and I are unfortunately
without servants at the present mo-
ment," he explained. you will see
that this apartmnt is shared by both
of US. 1t will be necessary to ask
you gentlemen to withdraw while we
make ready for the journey"
Windergate hesitated. The silence
in the house seemed to indicate the
truth Of Londes statement as to the
absence of servants.
I'VE will await you in the hail."
Windergate decided.
"Is it an open carr" the woman
asked.
"I am afraid that 1t is
II shall be three or four minutes
longer. then" she remarked, with a
little grimace. Il must really put on
some warm things
The two men descended to the hall
and seated themselves upon a bench
which commanded both the back
stairs and the front ones.
In a quarter of an hours time, the
man and the woman descended the
stairs. They were wrapped from head
to foot in motoring coats. The wo-
man wore q yoluminous veil and the
man a closely fitting cap with ear
flaps and celluloid spectacles. Win.
dergate rose to his feet.
you will excuse me, SIR" he beg
ged, but I must search you for arms
before we start"
Londe held up his hands with a
little gesture of impatience. Winder-