Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-06-22

Torrance in the legal and civic life Of
Scotland, reached Inverlochtie soon
hitter 10 o'clock and the inspector hur-
ried him to the house. John was
again in request, but he and Fur
neauX and a number of gillies who
knew every nook and Granny of the
hills for miles around had crossed the
loch more than an hour earlier. They
took several dogs, enough provisions
to last the day out. and sure footed
pony for FurneauX, who. though IN
first rate physical condition for so
small a man, could hardly be eX-
pected to tramp many miles through
heather without a good deal of prior
training. Unless the unforeseen hap
pened. the party would not return
until nightfall.
The procurator-f fiscal, Mr.. Ding
wall, was none too pleased. either.
II wish MIR. Panton could have
delegated his share of the search to
some other person" he said. His
absence will delay my inquiry
a whole day"
Luckily Sheldon was close at hand
THE difficulty is. sir" he explained.
that Mr.. Pantons dog is probably
keeping track of Connington. and the
two know each others ways. The
of anv other person to interfere with
him. Mr.. Panton impressed this fact
on his helpers before they set out.
He improVised a set of signals so that
any one in very extended line who
sees Spot can stand fast and sum
mon him.
rs Spot the dogs name"
Yes
But my difficulty. Mr.. Sheldon. is
that the doctor is inclined to believe
that Mr.. Alistair Panton may easily
have met his death by being knocked
over and mauled by some powerful
animal of the kind.
The pupil of Sheldons right eye. it
will be remembered. was larger than
that of the left. When he was pecu-
liarly troubled or amused. the one had
a trick Of contracting and the other
of diiating. They did these things
now and the effect on Mr.. Dingwall
was rather disturbing. He was not
quite sure that his own eyes were not
deceiving him.
Have YOU discussed that with Po-
lice Constable Campbell?" inquired the
detective.
NO. 1t is only first hand opinion
formed by the doctor last night
We'll, I'm sure you can disregard
IL,
Mr.. Alistair Panton feared. or pro-
fessed to fear a physical attack by
his cousin, he told Campbell something
about it. The policeman. quite rightly
and most fortunately. as 1t happens.
kept Mr.. John Panton under close Oh
servation. If he had not. no one can
DENY that Mr.. John would now he
under grave suspicion in the matter.
and that very consideration. | inag-
inc. is a vital element in Connington' 3
flight Having attacked MFR. Alistair
with q boat hook. perhaps not wholly
with intent to kill. he made off In the
boat which he Communicated from
the mooriIig ground near the bridge.
The last thing he counted on was an
instant alarm. But the flashing of
light on the landing stage, the police
whistle and the accidental discharge of
double, barreled gun warned him
that the whole district was aroused.
Whether the man is a murderer or
not, he is certainly criminal, and the
first instinct of a criminal is not only
to escape but to throw the blame on
some innocent person. Connington
may certainly be trusted to assume
that John Panton would possibly he
held responsible I imagine he is bal nix
ing on that chance to get clear away"
But others may not be wholly sat
isfied that this Connington, whoever
he may be, was anywhere In the local
ity," objected Dingwall stif1y.
Sheldon was we'll aware that he
must not go too far in his analysis
Of events until the other man was bet