San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1926-04-04
By J. S. Fletcher,
the Modern Master of Mystery
Stories.

"Psh, man. exclaimed Inspector
Dwayne. Hes evidently got lodging
in some of those old houses. However,
| want him, or may want him, and as |
understood from Abrahams that he makes
a practice of passing his evenings at
Marks's shop, you must be on to him
again"
"AlI right" said Mitchell. He fingered
a little as if he had more to say. Wouldn't
it be better he began.
Wouldn't what be better?" asked the
Inspector.
'Why, if you want him at the inquest
or the adjournment to subpoena him, and
let me serve him at Marks's or wherever
can find him." answered Mitchell. 'Tf
he goes about with his curios I'm certain
to come across him"
Inspector Dwayne considered this pro-
posal. He also remembered Grandfather
Punctuality's conduct toward Lauderdale.
81 want to know where the old man
lives, and what his private life is" he said.
However, wen think of that tonight.
Mitchell The inquest won't be opened
until tomorrow afternoon, and the adj
iournment at Bow street was for week,
you know. Try to run this old fox to
earth Tonight hundred to one you'll
find him burrowing in some of those Fleet
street courts; lots of 'em like him do
they can't keep away from the smell of
paper and printers ink and rum. 1t
draws them"
Then Mitchell went away, and once
more the Inspector strove to think of some
explanation of the things which troubled
him. Better men than himself, he said.
would not have bothered themselves half
as much-they would have accepted the
hypothesis Of Lauderdale's guilt and have
gone on to collect all the evidence they
could against him. But Inspector Dwayne
was a very obstinate man, and he had
made up his mind that the young soldier
was not guilty, and that he, Samuel
Dwayne, was going to find out who was.
Its a queer, queer case" he muttered
for the hundredth time. "And it's going
TO be queerer."
As fortune would have it, the case be-
came queerer within the next few min
utes. While he sat there, moody and spec
ulative, the custodian Of that part of the
building entered, conducting young man
in the dress Of chauffeur, who expressed
a wish to have a word with Inspector
Dwayne.
cts about the affair at Princess Gate,
. sir" he said when they we're left alone.
"The Bartenstpin case, sir
what do you know about it," de-
manded the Inspector, wondering what he
was going to hear next. Anything real
Important"
~ believe | do, sir, and ! should have
come to you sooner, but I had to leave
town very early yesterday morning, and
! never heard Of this affair until late last
night at Salisbury" said the chauffeur.
give only just returned from there, so |
came to you at once"
"Wcll." said Inspector Dwaync, who
had been narrowly inspecting the young
man and had set him down for an honest
fellow. GO on"
"Wcll. sir, night before last at midnight
] was in Princess Gate, waiting for a gen
tleman whom | had driven there and who
kept me- replied the chauffeur. ~ was
about three doors from Mr. Bartenstein's
| know Mr.. Bartcnstein very well, because
I've driven him many a time into the city
, and down to the house, too. ! saw
young gentleman arrive; then BartenStcin
came up in his motor car which went
round to the stables. The young gentle
man and Mr.. Bartenstcin went within and
the door was closed. About six minutes
later they appeared at the door again, and
the young gentleman walked away toward
Knightsbridge. Mr. Bartcnstcin stood
minute or two at the door, looking up at
the sky, then he went within again.
And -
Yes ycs?" said the Inspector, seeing
the chauffeur pause Go on"
81 am sure, sir, from the description
in the papers, that the young gentleman
| saw was the one who has been charged"
said the young man.
''lf so, it's lucky for him that you were
there exclaimed Inspector Dwaync
Nov you're sure Bartcnstein closed the
door,"
81 heard him bolt it, sir, heavily" an
swered the chauffeur.
"HOw long did you stay there after
that asked the Inspector.
Half an hour, sir, exactly"
al suppose your fare could corroboratc
that"
ooh. yes, sir It's Sir Ilbcrt Whitening
ton-he often employs me-"
"Thcn give me your name and address
and a reference or two, and don't say a
word Of this till you hear from me-" said
Inspector Dwayne.
When the chauffeur was gone the in
spector uttered an exclamation.
"Har he said. "Whoever did it was
hid behind that curtain and got in and
out by that private stair"
CHAPTER XIII.