The Coolidge examiner., 1936-03-27

Rather cryptic, aren't you"
Stone said, with a somewhat rue
full smile. Just what sort of evil
dence are you getting?"
well, just take a look at this
heart. This one Is Malden's, the
other is young Coles. You don't
see any foreign matter, do you?
Anything extraneous?"
Fleming Stone looked carefully,
and then said:
No, nothing at all. Oh, wait a
minute. Just then, saw a tiny
flash as of metal or glass"
"Oh, man? Did you really? Look
again."
Its gone, don't see it now. But
it was infnitesimal. The merest
speck, 1 hardly saw it at ALL"
''But glass! If it was glass, it
must be there yet. Look again.
Here's a lens"
Stone took the magnifying glass
and scrutinized the place where he
had seen or thought he had seen
the glass.
Yes, there it isl" he exclaimed.
But such tiny speck-it can't
mean anything"
1T means everything? Don't
lose sight of it again. Here let me
get at it,"
Plum drew near, and all three
men were quivering with interest
as Doctor Simpson lifted, with the
tiniest of calipers, a speck of glass.
and laid the precious morsel on
small slab.
"Oh," he exclaimed in deepest
admiration. "Clever, clever! The
perfect method, the complete alibi.
Oh, what a mind!"
II wish you'd let up on your
rhapsodies and tell me what it's all
about" Stone said to Doctor Simp-
son.
Go away, oh, go away" The old
doctor was fairly dancing around
in his excitement. "Mr. Plum, take
the man away or I'll lose all I've
gained. Take him away, for his
own good! Listen, Fleming Stone!
You have done this, you have
done this, you have found the clue
to the mystery, but I VOW If you
don't take yourself off I'll destroy
this bit of glass and leave you
where you were when you came
here. Listen! Go off now, and
come back at five this afternoon,
and I'll tell you everything-every-
thing, l say. Stay another moment
now-and I'll tell you nothing, now
or at any time"
Even after that, Fleming Stone
had to be dragged away by his Sec
retary, who saw the old man was
in dead earnest. Plum fairly
pushed his employer through the
door.
Good for you, Plum" the detec-
tive said, laughing. Il confess
was bit too much imbued with
the old mans enthusiasm. But I'm
crazy to know what he has discOv-
cred. Well, I've enough to do until
five o'clock. And so tonight sees
the windup of the Maiden case. Do
you know who is the criminal, old
man"
Indeed don't. Do tell me, Mr..
Stone; l won't tell"
Nonsense, control your impa-
tience. You'll know all at five
o'clock this afternoon"
They parted, and Stone called
up Perilla.
You're to have a small party to-
night" he told her. Just invite
the list I'll give you now. Pencil
handy?"
"Oh, yes" she replied. Go
ahead"
The list Stone gave her was al
most the same as the wedding
party. He added Madame Maiden
and Farman, Garth, himself and
Plum.
"You see," he went on, "the case
Is concluded. But don't ask me
questions about it over the tele-
phone. You'll know all this eve
ming. And Mrs. Maiden, you must
make all the people come. If any
one seems unwilling or unable to be
there, use your cajolery, but make
them come. See?'
YES" said Perilla. "Will it be
a shock?"
I'm afraid it will, but you'll be
glad to know the truth at, last,
feel sure. Mind now, you make
everybody come. Don't forgetw
'She hasn't the least idea," Stone
ruminated as he left the telephone
booth. II hope it won't break her
heart"
He put in a busy afternoon, more
or less assisted by Plum, and FIVE
O'Clock saw them both back at Doc
tor simpsons.
The interview was not long, Snt
was entirely satisfactory. Doctor
Simpson told them, as clearly as he
could explain to a layman, how the
two deaths were accomplished.