Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-07-13


LUNK gave him the geography Of the road.
1t linked hamlets and farms with the
railway; it was the ancient track between one
country town and another, which now used the
engineered highway on the other side Of the
Down.
mot nice road" Reggie milrmured. It was
tarred, but In bad condition, narrow and wind
ing unreasonably. The hypothetical car was
driving fast"
Chunk put out his long upper lp. "It can
be done, Fortune. You did It,"
Eyes. had something to hurry for. And
knew 1t was on this road. What was the
hypothetical car doing?"
Chunk explained that cars sometimes came
that way to avoid highroad traffic
In the dead Of night?" Reggie n:'lmbIsd.
eyes. It could be-" He turned again and
drifted about the road
Two cars and an ambulance arrived An In
spector Of police saluted Chunk. Every good Of
your lordship to take 50 much trouble. We've
lost no time"
DO you know the dead MANI" Reggie said.
The inspector stared at Reggie.
Know him?" he said thickly. "Of course
I know him. But he wasLt ever found like
that! Did you find him like that?"
NO No. turned him over" Reggie muir
INJURED.
The inspector glowered at him. "oh, did
you? What do you want to neddle for3 He
Ou9ntnC 70 nave been tOicncG"
Inspector Brightman" Chunk rebuked him
"this is Mr.. Fortune"
How do you do" said Reggie amiably
Good day. SIR" the inspector growled
you'll excuse me. I've got Cur own doctor
here"
'You will be well advised to consult Mr.
Fortune" Chunk frowred.
VERY good, my lord. I'll tell the chief con-
stable what you say. lie likes US to manage
our own business-as rule He hustled away
barking at his policemen. He examined the
bicycle Ee set them N assuring distances from
the bicycle to the body, from the bicycle to the
side of the road.
Reggie turned to the doctor a large man who
was breathing hard over the body. He made q
tedious examination with pornpous Inns and
has. He looked at Reggie with condescension.
II suppose you've formed your opinion, Mr..
Fortune? The causes ere quite obvious"
mot yet, no." said Reggie meekly. I'D like
to be there when you do the post-mortem. If
you don't mind"
"Oh, certainly. should say it's a plain case
myself"
whats that?" The inspector Joined them.
you're finished, DR.. Lace?"
"You can remove the body, Brightman. The
facts seem quite clear. The poor fellow has
been dead some hours The cause Of death
was injury to the brain from violent concus-
sion. The probability Is that the poor fellow
was run down by car"
That's right DOCTOR" the inspector agreed
heartily. "That fits. Napper went out on his
regular night round Of his district, didn't come
back this morning. And there he is-bicycle
been in q smash, head smashed. Run down by
some car that didn't STOP"
"You know him, do you?" Reggie murmured.
know him?", The inspector stared. "Oh.
you mean with that smashed face. It's Map
per all right, poor chap" He turned to Chunk.
"You know Napier, my lord, your constable at
Yardley"
1T thought it was Napier" Chunk nodded.
"Poor fellow"
Reggie looked at them wistfully. 'He'd be on
this road, would hep"
There's no fixed beat. He'd 60 anywhere in
his district where he thought he might be use
full Quite all right for him to be here. As
make Il out by my measurements the collision
was just there. Fast, heavy car, driving to-
wards Oakhurst. I'm marking the place"