Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-29
A NOUS leaned gloomily back IN
Y his chair.
Il think / shall hand in my
l. A.

NOUS leaned sloomily back IN
n his chair
"A Il think / shall hand In my
a checks, Pudsy," he declared.
I'm no use at this game. I'd
better so in for selling wine or auto
mobiles"
Don't DC a fool. George" Mr.. Peter
Braeg enjoined. What you want is
some work"
Not client near the place for a
week" Angus continued sorrowfully.
You might take on some of the
Strand House stuff. if you cared to-
his partner suggested. There's small
blackman affair. Not really worth your
time. though. II were you and hadn't
TO stay here III case anything should
turn UP. I should keep my hand in on
BIT of outside business"
Outside business"
Well. I'd take up one of these cases
where We don't happen 10 have been
consulted. mi which the police don't
seem 10 be getting on with. OF course.
there are disadvantages. because il isn't
so easy 10 get the real information, and
there's no pay at the end Of il. So
far as We are concerned, however. that
doesn't matter 50 much.
Were you thinking OF any particular
CASE" Angus inquired. his interest
Senly stimulated.
Peter Bragg took UP newspaper.
I was" he admitted Il was think
Ing of the case of William King Shal!
i outline 1t 10 you?'
Go ahead
William King is. or was q man of
81 years of age. engaged III the Office
OF a firm OF wholesale druggists In the
Rs-H Iox
of high character. without any vices.
earning 8 good salary and of a saving
turn He lived al Chiswick in house
that belongs to himself: he was married
snd had two children. both OF whom
had started 10 work He was a man
Of domestic habits. member of the
local lav7n-tennis and golf clubs. and
he entered into tbs social activities OF
the place. His habits were entirely
regular
He lett home at eight oclocks every
morning, walked for half an hour. and
completed the journey 10 the city by
tram. always boarding one at a certain
point. He left the Office al six O'Clock.
without exception. and could be relied
upon TO reach home by half-past seven
There was never shadow of scan
dal or suggestion Of loose living con-
nected with him. His employers valued
his services highly He had apparent
y not an enemy In the world Yet on
one Friday. about two months ego. he
slipped out OF the world He failed TO
return home al the usual hour and has
never been seen or heard of sincs"
i remember seeing some paragraphs
about it In the papers at the time" An
gus admitted Somehow or other.
imagined 1t would be one OF those cases
that would inevitably be cleared up in
q day or two"
Well, this one wasn't" Peter Bragg
replied. Now. don't know how it
seems TO you. George. but 10 me there
is much more mystery about the dis
appearance OF man OF this type than
any other. One is driven TO ask ones
self what could have befalIen him? A
man 50 settled in his life and habits is
not likely to have disappeared without
a strong motive. Any accident would
certainly have been reported Yet be-
tween Grace street and Chiswick on
Friday evening. between the hours OF
8 oclock-when he is known TO have
left his work as usual-and z O'Clock
when he should have swung open the
gate Of his little villa and presented
himself in his home, William King
seems. somehow or other, TO have step
ped OF the edge OF the world!"
You make It all sound quite intrigu-
ing" Angus admitted
If you want q little wholesome In
tereSt in life, take it on quietly" Peter
Bragg advised. Go tactfully TO the
family. explain your position. and ask
for any information you can get Try
the firm In the same way. Make use
Of the Strand people-they can always
ferret out minor details--and see wheth-
or you can arrive at any theory. II will
save you from getting stale, at any
rate"
"Chiswick" Angus murmured reach
ing for hts hat TT sounds familiar"
You VIII find Chiswick without diff
Guilty" his partner assured him. 1T is
not fashionable quarter but Il is
respectable district situated on the Eal-
ing road. But take my advice. present
yourself there this evening, when. pre-
sumably, the two younger members OF
the family VIII be al home. In the
meantime 90 and have game OF
golf"