Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-21

in the evening of which he was muir
dered, COL Engleden went into the post
Office here and sent a telegram TO the
present governor of Southmoor Convict
Prison, Of which he himself, as you
know, was an ex-governor, asking II
there were stu any warders there who
had served under him? That's the
other matter. Johnson
johnson, who was staring about him
at the gradually unfolding beauties Of
the romantic old town, stopped short in
his stride and stared at Engleden, open
mouthed.
"oh!" he exclaimed. "ohi He did.
did hep"
THAT seems to strike you!" said
Engleden.
well, I should say it did-ratherr'
retorted johnson. Very much so! Did
he get any reply?"
Yes. The reply was that there were
not, but that their whereabouts could
be traced, If Col. Engleden wished it.
Just that?"
"Just that Now, johnson, what do
you make of it?"
johnson, was now staring at the
quaint houses of the street through
which they were passing. He con-
tinued to stare and to inspect, In ST.
lence, for two or three minutes
Queer old spot, this" he remarked
suddenly. "Old as they make 'em, I
reckon. Decent hotel?"
ITS a very good hotel" replied
Engleden. Much resorted to by
tourists"
I'm hungry" said johnson. 'T had
lunch on the train, but it's q long time
ago. After I've had something to eat,
l can, perhaps, answer your last ques-
ton; my brain doesn't work well on
an empty stomach"
I've ordered dinner for tbs in my
private sitting ROOM" remarked Engle-
den. I'VE can talk there. And there's
plenty to talk about! Afterward / can
take you to see the superintendent Of
police il you like"
Smart MANI" asked johnson.
Capable, good-natured man. Very
anxious to do all he can, in every way.
But don't think he'd set the Thames
on FIRE. You know the type, johnson.
Conventional police methods. And I
think something more than that's
wanted in this case"
Johnson offered no opinion. He re-
manned more or less silent until he and
Engleden had dined. Then, when he
had got his favorite pipe in full blast,
he manifested signs OF mental activity,
so that was his room that you've
got?" he asked, nodding at a door
which opened from the private sitting
room into Engleden's bed room. yes?
Then suppose his things are there?"
"Yes-juSt as he left them"
Examined them YETI"
"Only specifically. left that until
you arrived. Not that think we shall
find anything"
You never know Let's see what
there is" replied Johnson. He opened
the door and, walking into the room,
looked around. Two suit cases and a
dispatch case, eh?" he went on. 1.-THE
suit cases-um! They feel empty
contents put away in these drawers, no
doubt. Dispatch case a bit heavy
books, papers. Locked"
II have his keys" said Engleden
They were taken from his pocket this
morning-about all that was left, as
a matter of factl" he added bitterly,
give them to me-" replied johnson.
He carried the dispatch case into the
sitting room and setting it on the table
hunted for its key among the dozen or
so on the ring. That's it." he said
Now what's here? Box of cigars
Couple OF magazines, cigarettes. Pipe
Tobacco. Medicine stuff. Flask
He held up what looked to be a stout,
fairly thick account book, strongly
bound In morocco, now somewhat the
worse for wear, the clasp of which kept
the cover together secured by n small
patent paddock.
That's his very private diary" re.
piled Engleden. 1--WE seen it-oh, hun
dreds Of timesl believe he's had it
ever since he was a young mamie
used to put things down in Il, now and
then--only now and then. Exceptional
things, I believe. don't think we
ought to examine that, johnson. I
don't feel like it yet. at any rate"
Necessary, think" said johnson.
Besides, look herel"
He pointed to a scrap of colored
paper that rotruded from between the
edges Of the locked book, and gave
Engleden q glance full of meaning,
Engleden failed 10 comprehend Il.