The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1928-11-30
The Double Cross

Spouse. "It'S ridicuouS-all this fuss.
I'll bet you anything you like that If
you sit here quietly for an hour or
so, Jim Stanley will walk In and
Lordl How he will taught"
Doris rose. SWELL" she announced,
"Tm not going to sit here quietly for
an hour Wilson, call the police"
Wilson started for the telephone
Waterman stopped him.
Doris, don't be fool" he cried.
Call the police" she repeated i'm
periously.
Again Wilson started for the tele-
phone. But as he did so, quiet voice
was heard to say. "What is this?"
Startled. the little group turned as
one. The Swami, clad in his custom
airy robes. stood in the doorway.
"By CAD, it's the Swami" cried Wa
terman "COme In, sir. We had for
gotten all about you: | suppose we
woke you up with all this tempest In
teapot?' tl
Mono" he said quietly. Il was
awakened from dreamless sleep by
sense of trouble. Then something
led me here"
He walked slowly to the center Of
the room and looked about the startled
group.
"Ah-it's Mr.. Stanley. is II not?'. He
Is not here"
"Yes, sir" Wilson Informed him.
"Mr. Stanley has disappeared"
"Ah?"
"We have every reason to fear foul
play"
"Foul play?"
"Yes, sir. murder"
The faintest possible smile fickered
over the Swami's face. "But you look
so shocked" he said mildly. ut is
amusing. If, as you say, Mr.. Stanley
has been murdered, he has but passed
to another cycle. where perhaps he
will be happier than here. He was
my friend and his heart was Clean"
The Swami's ear caught the ghost
of sob. He turned to Doris-she
had covered her face with her hands
"Ah, my child" he said. you suffer-
bo oCS Sou. II "ouhi
him" He laid his hand lightly upon
her shoulder.
81 don't know anything about
cycles" said Wilson with startling dis
tinctness, shut I'm going to call the
police" Again he started for the tele-
phone.
"Wait," said the Swami with
quiet swiftness. Later, perhaps, you
shall summon those imbeciles But
not now" And after little pause he
went on, "You have questioned the
domestics?"
mo, sir. not yet"
The Swami sat down. "Do So" he
said.
Wilson turned to the maids. Ann"
he said, when did you see Mr.. Stan
ley last?"
"About six o'clock, sir" replied the
maid, "as he was passing through the
hall"
"Sarah?"
Just before dinner, sir, as he was
leaving his bedroom"
"Bridget?"
"Sure, didn't see him today at an.
at all. been in the kitchen all day.
What In the name of all the saints
would | be kLowin' about"
Hush, hush, hush!" murmured Will
son. Mrs. Burkett?"
81 haven't seen him since the mid
die of the afternoon" replied the house
keeper, when | looked out the win
dow and saw him playing with Henry
Cabot"
"Henry Cabot?' inquired the Swami,
puzzled.
That's the cat, sir"
"HOw do you happen to be fully
dressed at this hour of the night?''
inquired Wilson.
Il fell asleep In my chair and slept
till you come knockin' on the door,"
Wilson turned to the butler.
Jefferson"
Il saw Mr.. Stanley last SIR" re-
| piled the butler, 'when fetched a
bottle of port to the library, not long
after dinner"
you locked up, as usual?"
yes, sir, about ten o'clock. And
| then | went to bed"
Wilson turned to the Swami. "DO
you wish to question them further?''
The Swami did not answer him but
turned to the chauffeur.
"And you?"
"Well, sir" answered O'Hara.
''Mr. Stanley sends for Inc about ten
| o'clock and says he wants me TO sit
up. He's going to have some letters
for me to mail. So gets busy around
the garage, and about midnight Mr..
Wilson rings me up on the house
! phone and says will come in"
How did you get in?" demanded
| Wilson.
81 got key to the kitchen door,"
The Swami raised his hand
'Let them co." be said. they know
nothing"
Jefferson, O'Hara, wait In the hall"
said Wilson; "the rest of you go to
| bed"
| Wilson closed the door behind them,
| and turned and said to the Swami.
"Let me tell you everything ] know,
SIR"
The Swami checked him. 81 have
eyes," he said, 81 have seen. There
was struggle, a table overturned, or
naments broken, that desk swept
clean, and there, perceive. is an ar.
ticle of wearing apparel"
AS he pointed to it on the floor, vii
son stopped and picked it up. 1t was
| black dress tie.
"And," continued the Swami, upon
the rug is blood. HIM." he paused a
moment before he went on, "the secret
| is here-let us find It."
Slowly he turned his somber gaze