Evening star., 1927-10-30

ooh, yes. It'll be a long business.
The car took them to the police
station. Capt. Gambler had been ask
ing for them He had made all his
ARA ngements. He was just going tC
have these people brought up. He
didn't quite knoW-perhaps-M For
tune
"Oh, no." said Mr.. Fortune.
''All right, Captain said Lomas.
and took charge.
ISABEL and Charles were produced
Lomas wished them to understand
the position. They were charged on
the evidence of Albert Small who
said he had seen it, with an attack on
Miss Daymer. Investigation did not
support the charge. But Miss Daymer
had been injured, and was uncon.
scious. Could they throw any ligh:
on the matter?"
isn't she going to die?' Isabel
cried.
I'VE hope not"
'They told us she was dead. How
wicked"'
Rotten" said Charles. But is she
going to he all right, sir?''
I'VE hope so."
"Well"' Isabel began to cry
Charles also showed signs of emotion
and Capt Gambler became uncomfort
able. But Lomas watched them and
after minute. scrawled on piece of
paper and pushed across TO Mr.
Fortune this message:
You win. Nails, but no toepiece or
heel-piece."
l,e, I,.1
1t was beastly af them. Charles never
did it. What did they suppose he
came to the horrid place for? Charles
muttered something about going easy.
Isabel was not To he checked. She
turned upon Mr.. Fortune. You know
perfectly we'll"
"Me?" he gasped. Did you mean
me?'
Don't play tricks Do you think I
don't remember you? You came spy.
ing on us yesterday. You must have
seen-oh. shut up, Charles.-Charles
and Vera are as good as engaged"
II hadn't thought of that" said Mr.
Fortune humbly. My mistake"
ooh. l see now.' she cried. "You
thought, because he was with me and
Vera was horrid to him. it was me he
wanted and she was jealous. That
was bright. OF course. she was being
horrid. She's proud. she knows she
can't help liking him. and she hates
it. It's been so jolly for me-
"Yes. This is very interestin', but
it doesn't clear things up. Why did
Albert tell this tale?"
Albert is a horror. He's been the
plague of our lives. I don't know
why he hates us. l suppose he's just
a fiend."
Yes. Any other fiends?" said Mr..
Fortune.
"Everybody's been horrid. They've
made things just as awkward as they
could. But l believe it's really all
Albert"
Did it ever occur to you that some
body wanted TO get you out of that
cottac ce?"
whatever fcr?" said Miss Villaret.
Nobody made you an offer for it,
"Why? Yes. l believe there was
somebody. Vera said. Some agen'
wrote to her. She turned him down."
"Of course. YOU don't know who
he was? Have you got rid of any of
the old stuff in the place."
Vera sold an old oak cupboard.
The man in Stanchester bought it =,
Tidford, the man we got our furniture
from"
WAS there anything in it?"
Only some books and papers"
II say. you know" Charles broke
in. you're not getting anywhere. I
want to know who sluSSed Vera"
Il don't blame you" said Capt.
Gambler. I'VE are bit off the line.
Now" police inspector came in
and whispered to him. Now I'll ask
YOU to wait awhile. Wen make you
comfortable. Bit of dinner. eh? We
can manage that He hustled the
two bewidered creatures out, and.
turning, clapped Mr.. Fortune on the
back
I've got 'em, my lad. My fellows
caught Albert and William coming
round to Tidford's back door Brought
dogs down here. But we don't miss
much, eh?"
Lomas laughed
Mr.. Fortune gazed at him.
"Splendid. Captain. l don't know
how YOU can do it. Now you've got
everything except evidence"
'Ah, Ill soon have that" said Capt.
Gambler.
His confidence was justified He
knew how to deal with Albert. The
frightened lout was soon whimperinS
the truth. Mr.. Tidford told Albert
the girls had to he cleared out of that
cottage. Mr.. Tidford told Albert all
about what he was to do to make
trouble for them. Gave him five shil-
lings week for it. But it was VIII.
liam as done it. Albert never
touched the lady. Mr.. Tidford told
him what he was to say. But no
never did no harm to her.
Capt. Gambler had some success
with William, too.
Twas Tidford." he growled. It'd
ford would have her put away.
done what. he said" And he sup
piled details.
But, with Mr.. Tidford, Capt. Cam
ber failed completely. Mr.. Tidford
suggested the folly of the charge
against so respectable man as him
self.
you'll be charged, my man." Capt.
Gambler assured him. mo answer,
eh? Well, you know best" He sent
Mr.. Tidford away and looked at Lo.
mas.
HE was in Il, all right" Lomas
pronounced.
II should say SO! That's a case,
eh?"
But Mr.. Fortune sat in a dreary