New Britain herald., 1927-05-05
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Dixon looked at him curiously.

| Dixon looked at him curiously.
 You're a strange man. Ross Where were you educated?"
 At public schools, sir. I've no store of book training, but I've knocked around bit with Mir Folsom. and I've picked up some wisdom here and there"
 Knocked around with him where?"
 "Traveling about. For three years I've been with him out oi America. In England, mostly, but sometimes on trips to Egypt and the Orient.-sir
 T see. You're a travelled man. then"
 AS Mir. Folsom's servant. sir. But he was a kind master, and he gave me many advantages. Will you tell ms what killed him. sir?"
 "Ycs, it's your due. Mir. Folsom was murderod.'
 What" Ross was startled out 1 of his conventional manner as we'll as out of his usual calm.
 "Ycs. He was stabbed while in bathing"
 Stabbed? I don't understand"
 Doctor Manning then took up the tale and told the astounded looking valet what had happened to Garrett Folsom.
 "But-but who could have done it, sir?" the man asked. as the tale came to its close. Almost mo- body down here knew Mir. Folsom at all, and those who did were his friends"
 Was Roger Neville his friend?" | Though said in a quiet voice, the query was flung out suddenly. and purposely. with an intent to ! take Ross off his guard. CHAPTER TX
 "Why-why. yes. sir-so far as 1 know" said Ross.
 None of that, Ross, you know about all there is 10 know of your late masters friends or enemies. 4 man of your caliber can't be ig- norant of the relationships between man and man."
 Then, if this Is an examination, sir. l can only say that so far as have ever seen or noticed, MT. Ne vile had only friendly feelings to- ward Mr. Folsom, personally"
 Why did you add personally? Had they other relationships than personal?"
 "They had business connections, sir that may or may not have been always serene. I know nothing of those, for they were conducted al offices. of course. But of my own knowledge, having seen Mir. Folsom and MT. Neville together repeatedly, in friendly and, as I put it. person. al surroundings. I call them tried and trusted friends. If you're sus- pecting MT. Neville of--''
 Hush. Nobody has mentioned the idea of suspicion! Don't over. step your place."
 No. sir" and Ross again put on his look of quiet, respectful servitude.
 Dixon said little more to him He asked for the key of MT. Fol som's suite. and Ross immediately produced it from his pocket and passed 1t over.
 The detective wanted to quiz him further. for he had a feeling that this man knew his masters secrets, but he felt it was prema- ture for him to hold any sort of an investigation that belonged. by right, to the police.
 Just as Dixon was about to dis miss the valet, low knock at the door of Room J heralded the ap- pearance of Inspector Babcock, a lieutenant detective and a medical examiner.
 Partly because he greatly want ed to remain. and partly because In his excitement, Dixon forgot to tell him to go, Ross stayed in the room. and inconspicuously sat ir a corner. while the preliminary questions were asked.
 The two doctors conferred above the body while the inspector listen. ed to the story as related by Dixon
 The police detective. Jepson, sec. ing no chance for hunting down clues in this room, sat silent, lis- tening to the doctors in turn with the talk between the inspector and l Dixon.
 ] Who Is this man?" asked Jep. son. as matters proceeded.
 "Oh, he's Ross. the valet of the dead man." Dixon said.
 Whats he doing here?." Nothing. I had been question ing him. and finished just as you people came in.'' Ross. not being addressed, said no word, and made no move to go.
 We'll" Jepson remarked, "as questions must begin somewhere, I'll start in with Ross. Maybe it's a good plan at that"
 He began with the usual re. quest for names and dates and places.
 Ross answered intelligently and respectfully. and soon Jepson had q neat list of Garrett Folsom's activities of late and data of his life in a general way.
 Well. that's all I can get from this chap Jepson said. Let him go. What are you going to do my man? You've no master now"
 No. sir. I have no plans either. l suppose I shall just wal, around till Miss Folsom comes and then I'll do whatever She tells me to-
 "Oh, yes, of course. The sister 1 We'll stay in the hotel fnr xre