Evening star., 1929-06-25

CaSuaIIlSS, anu 11C"o
was leaning back in his chair.
New sort of fighting for you, major,
he remarked, his eyes, more beady tnan
ever. seeming to protrude from under
his infiamed eyelids.
TT was an undisciplined sort OF
scrap" I acknowledged. I'VE had the
best of it, I think, but we ought to DO
better next time with little method"
Every one of my men. as you
doubtless Observed he continued, has
been a fighter. watched you. Owston.
] am SATISFIED with my bargain. AS
usual, 1 was right in my judgment III
is really an amazing thing how seldom
] make mistake"
What 1 cannot understand" told
him, sis why they all cleared on SO
suddenly. I won't say that they were
getting the best lof it. but they were
certainly pushing us very hard When
they chucked it,"
Martin Hews nodded.
It can tell you why they went" he
said, II know Joseph's methods. They
had a man near Bringford police
station, and directly the police got the
message and started out, he sent a
warning. They go away at precisely
the right moment. But for an act OF
treachery, major, there would have
been many more of them who never
%
the cells of Bringford police station. F"
"Treachery?" I repeated.
His eyes held mine.
miles" he explained simply. HE
went up to London during the afternoon,
and thought it as well to have him
watched. He was lost in Shoreditch
within a hundred yards of Joseph's s
headquarters. There isn't the slightest
doubt as to the nature of his business
fnn q
plan of our defenses. If his men had
attacked as usual, in a semicircle,
there wouldn't have been half Of them
able to swing a fist or raise knife.
They wouldn't have got over the shock
by now. AS it was, they came in single
file, feeling for the wire, and only one
man got IT. DE mortuis,' you know,
major! Well let it go at that. but it
is a very curious thing-traitors pay
our only fatal casualty-the man who
turned informer.''
$50 that was the reason" muttered
''That was the reason" Martin Hews
asSented suavely. II ran no risk of q
mistake. put him in the chair, and
when he had done shrieking, he con-
fessed You are a soldier, major. You
understand the treatment of spies. The
death of Miles was an ethical act of
I trust that you agree with me-"
He had the air of one who has been
the witness of some agreeable spectacle.
His face, with its little dab of pink
color, was unruffled. There was not
q gleam of nervousness in his manner
He was evidently well pleased with
himself, and apparently with me.
The inspector returned-apparently
much graver man. There was a
G4f "a ia1 Lab AZ
and I felt at once that he wished us
to understand that his attitude to-
ward the household and the whole
happening had undergone a change.
This IS more serious matter than
had imagined, SIR" he announced
I'VE have found a dead man outside
shot through the back, and three OF
four others, dangerously wounded
THE dead man is my butler" Martin
Hews scowled. "I had just trained him
into my ways, and his loss is a great
inconvenience to me. AS for the mis-
creants who tried to storm my house
the only regret have is that every ons
OF them wasn't badly wounded"
The inspector listened withou,
change of expression. One gathered
that his attitude toward us was not
particularly sympathetic.
II notice that your house, sir" he
continued, "is fitted with nearly ever,
burglar alarm have ever heard Of
You have, too, most unusual number
OF menservants, and powerful search.
light fitted up in the tower"
And why not?" my employer asked
irrltably. II am nervous person, and
as you may have heard, have been q
collector of treasures all my life
Naturally I take such precautions a.
think are wise. AS regards the
constitution of my domestic staff, !