The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1930-09-26
CHAPTER X
We Know That Man!

was news of Importance. saw it at
once-there ii was, in big letters in
the Stop-press space:
about half past four this after
noon Mr.. kilthwaite, grocer of 623x
Harrow road, having occasion to visit
yard az the back of his premises,
in search for some crates stored
amongst a quantity of similar odds
and ends. came across the dead body
of man which had evidently been
dragged across the yard through the
rear entrance and partly concealed by
loose timber. He at once summoned
the police, and on examination it was
found that the man had been MUIR
dered by repeated blows on the head
with some heavy instrument. He is a
man of presumably thirty years of
age, small of stature, of slight build,
wearing spectacleS, the lens on the
right being shattered; he is respect
ably dressed, and a new Trilby hat
was found lying beneath the body. He
had evidently been robbed after being
struck down, as there was nothing on
him in the way of money or valuables,
nor were there any papers that could
lead TO Identification: everything, in
fact, of this sort had been carefully re-
moved, and the only articles found in
the clothing were fountain pen and
two recently pointed lead pencils.
New Scotland Yard was at once COM
municated with and detectives are
making a careful investigation. Any
one recognizing the dead man from
the foregoing description should at
once communicate with the police au-
thorities."
| laid the paper down and stared
inquiringly at MaythOrne. He slapped
his hand heavily on the paragraph l
had just read.
"Holtl" he exclaimed. That's the
chap who followed those three women
away from Shorts hotel the other
night! million to one on it,"
You think 500" | said, increduIous-
ly. "But-there are lots of men who'd
correspond to that description"
That's the man I'll lay any
thing!" he declared. And this things
getting more of mystery than ever.
Look at it Mrs. ElphinStOne, her
daughter, and her maid, without a
word to ElphinstOne, suddenly clear
out of Shorts late at night. They are
seen TO be followed by man who had
previously inquired if the Elphin-
stones were staying at Shorts. They
never return, the women; from that
moment to this-all this time having
elasped-seventy-tw hours !-nOthing
whatever has been heard of them.
And then this discovery is made-the
man who was seen to follow them is
found murdered-head battered to
pieces-and robbed! Now-why?"
IF he is the manP | exclaimed.
It'll surprise me more than I've
been surprised, so far" he retorted,
"if he isn't the man. But We'll soon
settle that. Come alOng-lve got
taxi outside. Well go round by
Shorts, get hold of that under hall
porter, and go up the Harrow road"
ITO see-him?" 1 asked.
what eISe?" he answered. "COme
on you don't know what depends on
it. NOr-where those women are. In
danger, for anything we know"
| went willingly enough, then.
Somehow, it had not struck me up to
that time that Sheila might be in real
danger: | had fancied, rather, that
she was probably assisting her mother
in flying from justice, or, at any rate,
from distasteful inquiries.
We rode round to Shorts, and after
some slight delay, carried off the un-
der hall porter. Once in the cab again,
Maythorne showed him the newspaper
description of the murdered man.
Does that answer to the man you
saw following Mrs. Elphinstone three
nights ago." he asked.
The under hall porter, sharp-eyed
fellow. nodded.
81 should say it did, sir, myself"
he answered. Yes. it's a good de-
scriptiOn of him, taking it altogether.
1t doesn't mention that he'd slight
brown mustache, though. If this dead
man has"
1--WE shall soon see that" said May
thorne grimly. "A few minutes"
Mr.. Kilthwaites grocer's establish.
ment was away up at the poorer end
of the Harrow road-a very modest
establishment, too, catering for hum
BILE class of customers. But when we
got out of our cab and walked towards
it, we found that for once at any rate
it was a center of vast interest if not
of trade. The pavement outside was
thronged with people. and posse of
policemen was engaged in getting them
to move away or move along, not over
successfully: two policemen stood at
the shop door, evidently with orders
to admit none but bona fide customers.
A word from Maythorne procured US
instant admission, however, and we
entered-to find Manners and COrker-
dale standing inside, in conversation
with the grocer, an excited and vOlu-
BILE person who was obviously retell-
ing his story for the xth time. Cor
kerdale nodded significantly as May
thorne advanced on them.
slave you seen the man" asked
Maythorne
I'VE haven't, yet" replied Corker-
dale. "He's at the mortuary, of course.
Well go round there. WE'LL" he con-
tinued. turning to the grocer, well
look in again when we've been to the
mcrtuary, and perhaps you'll show us
~. premises where you found him?"
Anything you please, MIR. Corker-