Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-25

satisfied voice. It has not rained since about
2 in the morning, and then only a shower.
It was very windy all night. SO that the
streets would be dry in an hour. Anything
else. Laughton?"
"Yes, monsieur. Some one evidently fell down
Just inside the door-there Is q smudge there
but the shape gives us nothing tangible
While these various traces were being photo
graphed and covered carefully from all possible
contact. We went slowly up the broad stairs.
Suddenly the chief stopped and held up his
hand. I saw that he was examining a dark stain
through powerful lenses. Illuminating it
o~bliqueiy with the electric torch.
Voltaire purred with satisfaction.
"A beautiful print he said, as though speak
ing of a work Of art. 1T was made when the
fellow was coming down. for 1t points toward
the hall"
Nothing furthe was seen until we came to
the passage leading to the dead girls room.
Just outside the bathroom Voltaire pointed to
q moist blotch on the carpet.
Some water was spilled here" he explained
with q chuckle. and the mark on the stairs Is
from a wet sock-evidently not a fast color"
The chief opened the bedroom door and Z
caught a feeting impression over his shoulder
of the beautiful face I had so much admired
the evening before. It was terribly distorted
now, and half hidden by q cloud of tumbIed
hair. Yet the poor girl appeared to be lying
peacefully in her bed, and there was no appear
ance whatever of any struggle.
had no more than q glimpse, for our chief
waved us hurriedly back and closed the door
again. In an agitated voice he ordered Laughton
to call the medical expert, who had by now
arrived.
you'd better bring him up" he added, so
that he does not walk on that mark on the
stairs. You must all stay outside until I've
examined the room"
CnENTLY we withdrew and waited, while
Voltaire busted himself scrutinizing the
bathroom minutely. An hour elapsed before the
doctor was allowed to enter. At last, when I
was beginning to idget with Impotence. both
came out. I saw that my friend was deeply
moved.
Poor girl" he murmured. "I knew her so
well, and only a few days ago she was full of
life and joy. Youth forgive me for not letting
you assist at MY investigation, won't you?"
IT understand" I answered, and indeed I
did. This apparently hardened hunter Of
criminals had let me see for an instant that
his heart was as tender and delicate as that Of
q woman.
Downstairs the magistrate had been question:
ing the servants. He looked up as we ap-
preached.
well, Doctcr?"
Murder" my friend replied. "a foul crime"
and his expression hardened ominously. "Dr.
Audibart is of the opinion that she was
strangled. I think the same"
"Any indications that may lead us to TIE
guilty one?"
TOO many, and that is always bad. Although.
fortunately, it is not one of those commonplace,
featureless crimes that make detection almost
impossible. What have you learned from the
ServantS?"
The judge shrugged. Nothing but gossip. !"
well, then, may I request you to let the
mother go upstairs. I have all the data T
want, but with your permission I should like to
put one or two questions to the father. Oh, T
know" he added, seeing the magistrate frown.
"It is not my place to do so-only 1t would take
me too long now to inform you of all I have
discovered; besides, my work is not finished"
Very we'll, monsieur, then please do as you
wish"
At the magistrates order the man we had
seen at the restaurant came in, white and
shaking, his face twisted with grief. He sank
YEARLY into the chair I pushed forward.
"You were at the Petit Richie last night, M.
de Castelnaraud," the chief began. Pardon
me if I waive for a moment the sincere words
of sympathy which I should like to utter, but