Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-08-01


there who was known to have any
thing to do with Central America.
Tomas yawned. "Out with It, Nor
dan! You've got more than that. l
see it in your bloodthirsty eye"
Inspector Mordan smiled. II have,
sir There was a man handy when
Sir Rodney was murdered who had
just come from Central America. And
he went back there just after
Tomas lit cigarette. Came over
10 drown Sir Rodney, / SUPPOSE
That's as may be, sir" Inspector
Mordan rebuked this flippancy. "Close
to Chantries there's a widow lady
lives, Mrs. Stanton. She has son. a
geolOgist he is, who's been doing work
in Central America for an oil COM
pany. Just before the murder he was
staying with her. He went off on the
Saturday morning-that's the day
after, sir-sailed for the West Indies
that afternoon, and he's been out there
ever since. But now they say he's
coming back" Inspector Mordan
smiled again. ct reckon he thinks
it's all clear, now the trials over"
Amy link between Mr.. Stanton and
the Trale family
II couldn't make out anything par
ticular, sir His mammals friendly
with the ladies' at Chantries. He used
to go there when he was at home.
Nothing marked. as you might say.
But it looks to me as if we were get
ting warm"
I'm ring up Mr.. Fortune" said
Tomas.
Mr.. Fortune, much against his will.
was extracted from hammock among
the roses of his riverside garden and
led by a stern parlor maid TO the
telephone.
We've, found your Central Ameri-
can" said Tomas. Come and hear
all about him, Reginald. Interesting
but enigmatic fellow"
Il do not like you. L1omas.' said
Mr.. Fortune sadly. But you may
dine with me. Good-by."
GO it was under the tea rambler
- which has heard so many tales OF
crime that Tomas told him of the dis
covery of Charles Stanton. Mr.. For
tune blew smoke rings into the moon
light.
What does it come to?" he said
dreamily. "Our Central American Is
down there before the murder. He re-
mains abroad till the trial is over and
all is peace. Then he comes back.
He is a bore, but for that, alas, we
cannot hang him. He bothers me"
well, you wanted him. And we've
found him. What about it?''
Mr.. Fortune sighed. You will be
logical, Tomas. Let us see Charles of
Yucatan Let us talk to him."
The chief of the criminal tnvestiga-
ton department wrote to Mr.. Charles
Stanton and asked him to call. A
lean. brown man presented himself to
Tomas and Mr.. Fortune. He had a
mouth which shut tight. His manner
was stiff.
DO sit down, Mr.. Stanton. Sorry
to trouble you, but l hope you'll be
able to help u.s." Tomas was at his
blandest. Now I wonder If you can
tell me, do you know anything of this
trinket?"
stanton took up the quartz face.
Its mine," he said, and showed no
emotion. "A mascot of mine. The
thing is bit of Maya work l picked
up in Yucatan."
1T wonder if you ever gave it to
any one?" Tomas suggested smooth
ly. "Or lent it to some one, perhaps"
Stanton frowned. mo. didn't
he said sharply. II always carried
the thing till lost it,"
Gould YOU tell me when that was?"
II can't put a date to it. When
l was last in England"
"Or where you lost it,"
5 'If / had known l should have
looked for it,
Yes, suppose you would. Can
you tell me how you lost 1t, Mr.
Stanton?"
1--WE no idea. You are asking me
the deuce of a lot of questions. sir. :"
80 sorry you should feel that.
Well, Mr.. Stanton, I must ask you
one more. Your quartz face was
found in the park at Chantries just
after the murder of Sir Rodney Trale
and close to the scene of the murder.
Can you give me any explanation Of
that"
Stanton stood UP. "No" he said
I'm wasting your time, Mr.. Tomas!
You won't get any further"
Really. Mr.. Stanton, you're not
doing yourself iustice!'
I'm the judge of that, sir"
You force me to ask you an
other question. Why did you leave
the country Immediately after the
murder"
Stanton laughed. why don't you
give me the usual warning that any
thing say may be used as evidence
against me?''
nave UccIl dShlilE YOU W dSSIol
us in investigating crime" said
Tomas gravely. "Do you wish me
to understand you decline?"
II am not responsible for what you
understand. sir. Good day. And
out he went.
Deeper and deeper vet" Reggie
murmured.
THAT night Tomas received tele-
= gram from Douglas Charlbury.
1t was imperious. 1t instructed
Tomas that he must be in his office
next morning to receive Douglas
Charlbury. who had something to say
to him.
In the morning Douglas Charlbury
marched in upon them, bigger than
ever ESQ they have complaiEed}, more
vigorous, more arrogant
Who's this?" he scowled at Reggie.
I'm here to talk to you and no.
body else, Mr. Tomas
Mr.. Fortune is my colleague.
Mr.. Fortune knows all about your
case.
Does he? think not..