Evening star., 1935-09-29
Magazine Section
CHAPTER V


appear for wanted time to think things out
in the calmer light Of a new day.
Where the body of the murdered man had
been concealed, had not the least idea. But
why on earth had it been taken back to my
grandfather s bedroom? could see no motive
for this extraordinary action. The discovery
had certainly given me shaking, and had
little doubt that it had been the work of the
unknown man in the library. And then things
began to dawn upon me- The intruder had
warned me that, if remained in Falcon
Castle, would share the same fate as MIR.
Paul now it seemed that all this was probably
a deliberate effort to scare me out of the
house.
| finished my coffee. and began to fill my
pipe. suppose have stubborn streak in
me; anyhow, the thought that somebody was
trying to frighten me put my back up. All
wanted was to come to grips again with the
man, and swore he would not get away so
easily next time
You haven't eaten any breakfast, sir.
said Dunstan reproachfully, looking at the
food which had hardly tasted.
shook my head. Carrying dead body
out to shed isn't particularly good for ones
appetite. Look here, Dunstan." continued,
Il want you to keep COOL and your wife, too.
There's nothing for any of us to worry about"
Il wish | could believe it, sir" muttered
Dunstan anxously. That man last night -
you said he threatened your life. :. :"
Pure bluff" | told him confidently.
Somebody's trying to scare us away"
Not much good to do that. sir, with the
roads blocked
mir. Roxburgh at the Inn last night sug-
gested we all move down there"
"Ah. yes - the Inn" said Dunstan eagerly.
And you agreed. sr?"
I'VE stop here" said firmly, until the
roads are cleared and can get to the police"
Dunstan seemed uneasy. is it wise to re-
main Mr. Irvine? We don't know what might
happen. ..."
changed the subject by pulling out the
little bunch of keys had found on the library
floor. Our visitor last night left these behind
him" said "One of them fits the desk in the
library. How the dickens can they have got
into his hands,"
Dunstan looked at them and gave start.
81 remember these, sir. think the master
used to keep them in his dressing table. Per-
haps perhaps the man got them off the
body of Mr.. Paul"
Possibly" | agreed. But how did MIR.
Paul get hold of them?"
He may have searched the masters bed
room, sir" suggested D,nstan ut isn't for
me to say, but I've wondered if Mr. Paul
came here for that purpose"
You mean. he may have been searching
the room when he was murdered? wish to
heaven l knew what's behind all this, Dun
stan."
Theservant' glance strayed to the window,
and could see he was thinking of MIR. Roger
Barnett at Falcon Lodge.
= It was in the same direction my own
thoughts were travelling and, after Dunstan
had cleared away the breakfast things, did
some rapid thinking had played waiting
game long enough decided. The time had
come to make some definite move. l got to my
feet, slipped on an overcoat, and set out for
Falcon Lodge.
The chauffeur with the unpleasant smile
showed me into the sitting room, and Mr..
Barnett himself came forward with out
stretched hand.
"Hullo, my dear Irvine" he said, looking
~at me intently. "You seem glum this morning.
Anything wrong?"
"Yo,, ran ;,,doa that for yo,,rself in q