New Britain herald., 1929-09-06
-TTT TTTT I'll |, ACQUISITION

I'll l. EINQUINITION
 "One of seven men shot Roger Pel. unIass--'
 Inspector Wayne hasitated, his insistent gaze boring into each Of us in turn.
 "Unless-," he continued. this Is all camouflagc of something else. And none Of you shot him. And the man who did shoot him has got away. With your counivanco."
 Mr Fothcrhury shook his head.
 Then you toll me that when the shot was fired nobody else was here 9"
 Nobody"
 The inspector strode to tho tole- phone and rang up his station. He gave a sharp instruction: 10 send for the chief constable and to in form him that a murder had been committed at Newplace Abbey, and that the case called for the best man that Scotland Yard could send down,
 "Now," the inspector again turned on us, "what happened here before the murder"
 "Who had better tell the story?" said Mr, Fotherbury glancins from one to another "Mr. Grenofen, would you?'
 'If you wsh," said I,
 Thanks Fotherbury replied. "Mr Wayne I had arranged with Professor LaXton of tho British museum 10 meet my friends here this afternoon to hear Mir. Pelrs description of the excavations. Lax ton did not arrive and we were waiting for hlm when this affair began. Now, Mir. Grenofen."
 told the story from beginning to end
 While speaking I kept my eye steadily on Mir. Wayne I saw his look travelling among the persons in the room as I mentioned them in turn, reporting Pelrs outbursts. I was absolutely uninterrupted.
 The inspector nodded.
 "Pell." said he. casting a glance to the floor behind him. seems to have been ravine lunatic still you know, we lock up lunatics; we don't shoot 'em. I suppose nothing else has occurred 10 you gentle men as a test of what Actually hap pened?"
 looked at him wonderingly.
 "There is." he added "one al- most infallibe test. Some time be- fore we leave this room it must be applied Now, if you like. It's for you to choose"
 @ He suddenly pointed his finger at me.
 .- MT. Grenofen," the inspector said, "on the instant of the shoot ing all seven rushed to the fallen man-then, without other move ment. six took the chars and Mir. Fotherbury went to the telephone? 2"
 'As far as I observcd-ye After that" the inspector con- tinued. nobody moved until ] came"
 Nobody"
 Then" said Mir. Wayne, If We now proceed 10 discover the gun that fired the shot, wc shall ease the minds Of six out Of inc scvoN."
 The effect of these simple words MS elcctrical-thc words wo had dreaded, had not dared to utter. Wayne leaned upon the table watch- trg tho play Of expressions on our faces
 Are you willing that thc inspcr- tor search us?' Fothnrbury asked. "T'I lead the way. Where shall We stand, Mir. Wayne"
 Remain whore you aro. Sander son, Draw my attention 10 anyone who moves"
 Tn" inspector acted quirhll He fastened on SomerfcIl and went over him thoroughly. found nothing. Fotherhury. Eoylc. myself Seahrokr and Eastlav were searched Ouo soii- tary figure remained -Mm'iug stt- ting in tho char by inc hearth, deathly pale arf agra'ad.
 I think that was ttr most appaIl- ing moment hav. s<r Ny.d through. Six of us ha' passed tha test. One had 10 he thc seventh. any how-hut that tt should ba Marlfna!
 You arc clergyman. slr." Wavn. said after an unhoaahIn host.aHon. If you toll me that you haea no weapon. wIl accept your vord."
 Mar.jng rose and wallnd mp to the inspector sfwng,lv .n.nrr-- sive man, wi'h his w1iJ #aa. tlut ring or dark hHt' nsu +ou.,, and his flying b'a.'. rohn.
 "Snar~h me-" said hc. .ri5. Els sau have the othcr-."
 Marlmg bad Io.nrI a- -.a-n I opened my ryns-ror rou1 no, endure the sight Of Wayne l"s-.ag hands over his clothing -anI .lI,. ns- wilderod inspector full Of suspicion. regarded us with d""p.r .rawu. Wayne disbcIicvod Us. Ilo Was going hack on his first theory Of rotu- sion between IFS.
 Then began that impoteut yisHa- tion by Wayne Of every corner Of the great apartment. Although it Was an OblOnE room with plain walls and little furniture except the tahlo and a few chairs g thorough search for pistol wor;ld havo taken many hours. Any hook of the many thou sands might have hidden it. Wayne walked slowly round looking at thc cases. evidently for signs of a recent Disturbance H. fnIt fhe cushions of the two biz chairs by th" hearth. He stopped 10 look into the wide chimney. Thus ho worked round 10 the end Of tho room where we stood. There hc stayed. looking down upon the body Of Tcll, from that 10