Evening star., 1927-10-16

spector Fargo. Hello, sir. you've
come along?" he said briskly. It's
what they told us. The surgeon says
there's no doubt"
Does he. thought" Mr.. Fortune
came round Bells shoulder.
Inspector Fargo stopped talking and
stared at him.
Yes. You didn't mean me to see
the body. did you2,' Mr. Fortune said
Inspector Fargo licked his lips.
The superintendent said you were in
the hospital, sir. The divisional sur
geon's in there with the body. You'll
excuse me, sir. l have to get round
to the house."
mo. You've got another engage
ment. Don't let him break away.
Bell"
You stand fast" Bell took grip
of the man. What is all this, Mr..
Fortune?'
"Oh, Pargo's the man that knocked
me out last night"
Good heavens. Do you charge
him. sir?''
"Thatll do to go on with. Theren
be other charges"
II don't know what you mean"
Fargo stammered. Il never
why talk?" said Mr.. Fortune
"Mordan saw you. He saw you some
hands, Bell"
Bell wrenched a pistol out of the
mans pocket. Like that. eh, Pargo?"
| he said. You fool" He nodded to
the two large men in the doorway,
and Inspector Fargo was marched out
| Mr.. Fortune, what is this gamer"
Not nice man, Bell. Lock him
up and come back. I'll go and have
a look at the poor beggar who paid
his bill last night
The divisional surgeon was sur
prised to see Mr.. Fortune. There was
nothing in the case. The mans neck
was broken. Obviously fail. He
had been found in the garden of
| four-story house. Some burglars tools
on him. Scratches on one of the up-
| per windows and the drainpipe. Eel
low climbed up, slipped. fell and was
| killed.
| Mr.. Fortune bent over the body.
Very neat. But there's no injury
anywhere. except on the head And
| there-and there, there's too many"
Il don't understand. Mr.. Fortune"
| "Oh. it's simple. He didn't have a
| fall. He was dead before he was put
/ in the garden. Just have a look at
| those bruises again. Good-by.''
! Bell was waiting outside. What
now sir?''
Last act. Mr.. Maple vansittar. at
| home"
why. that's the gentleman tina.
was burgled. What's he got to do
| with it?'
"oh. Benr' said Mr.. Fortune. sadly
He wasn't burgled. There wasn't a
burglary. That fellow wasn't killed
by a fall. He was stunned by a blow.
Then they broke his neck
f'Thoyo NEhC,,, do 1-o,, ,,,aor
well. you ask Mr.. Maple Vansit.
tart. That poor fellow went into his
house last night. Mordan's men saw
him. But he didn't come cut again.
Not by the front door"
But who is he, sir?''
I'm afraid he's Lothario," said Mr..
Fortune gravely. =
= sittart, man opened the door, a
down, on top, a dark, shiny face with
no features to speak of. '"I am a po-
lice officer, Supt. Bell. I've come to
see Mr.. Maple Vansittart''
The man stared moment. This
way, sir" he said, and showed them
into a room that looked out on the
street. IT will tell Mr.. Vansittart,"
and he shut the door.
Mr.. Fortune waited listening. |
whats the matter, sir?" Bell whis- |
pered.
well. think we've found the
Slug" Mr.. Fortune smiled. And |
think Mr.. Maple Vansittart doesn't |
live downstairs He went into the |
passage. Another door below opened |
and shut Mr.. Fortune led the way |
To 4Ia hoo win
he saw the Slug running across the /
garden. Bell hoisted himself over the |
sill.
Don't worry. The back door,
watched" said Mr. Fortune and, as
the Slug opened it, he stepped into
the competent arms of Inspector Nor.
dams men.
"Yes. Mr. Maple Vansittart's being
coy. I'm afraid we'll have to look for
him by hand"
Bell was out at the front door. One
of his men was to watch it, the other
go through the house with him. Mr..
Fortune followed. But Mr.. Maple
Vansittart was not there.
They came to the top landing. Bells
man swung himself up into the els
tern loft There was a shout. scuf-
f1e: he appeared dragging a little man
who painted and shook as he was low
cred into Bells arms.
Yes You would be like that" said
Mr.. Fortune.
Mr.. Maple Vansittart, presums?"
Bell asked.
II don't understand you" his teeth
chartered. "let me go. please" He
made futile efforts to getaway.
Stand still. I'm Supt. Bell. You're
under arrest.
Me-" You don't mean that. Why
should l be arrested?"
For murder" said Mr.. Fortune.
MY dear sir, you don't understand
1t wasn't me, 1t was Fargo"
You little rat" said Bell.
1t was necessary to carry him, a
twittering, miserable creature, to the ]
car.
"And that thing was the brains of {
it ALL" Mr.. Fortune said. "A queer (
world" {
How do you mean the brains of it. q
sir?" n
"Oh, don't you see now? He's the I
director of your cat burglaries. He [
found out where the stuff was and ar. q
ranged the operations and disposed of |
the swag. / don't know when he made {
contact with Fargo. but ] dare say I
you'll find that by going through his /
pass book. If you had recurring crops I
II cat burglaries and nobody was ever q