Henderson daily dispatch. (Henderson, N.C.) 1914-1995, 1936-12-31
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CENTRAL PEs ASSOCIATION
CHAPTER SO

RelO leaving your mousse" Selden
told Graham. 1T reminds me of a
true story of a student at one of
our leading hospitals. He was in
the Common room and they were
all telling ghost stories. Someone
dared him to go to the dissectine
room, which was down long cor
ridor. He went and didn't return.
When the others got alarmed they
went there-he was dead"
What killed him ?" Graham
asked, his somber eyes fixed on
the other.
He had heard some noise. prob
ably a mouse or rat, had turned to
run, and his coat had caught on a
hook beside the table used for
dissecting."
Rather a gruesome yarn, but l
don't see what bearing it has on
this caSe," Graham said stifflv.
IAN example of nerves. that's
all. One can play on peoples
nerves sometimes for a Joke and
the consequences are fatal"
In your profession nerves must
be handicap"
Possessing nerves, Certainly
but the knowledge that others
have them has often been of great
USE"
Ramdas entered with drinks.
and set an old Chinese tray on a
table, withdrawing without a word
The Colonel helped Selden. and
while the latter was drinking.
poured out half glass of neat
whiskey and drank it off.
Il told the Inspector that 1
would bring the hounds along" he
said in a more cheerful tone.
'They should be able to follow the
track of Miss Lawrence and her
charges" There was a sheer in
the voice that called for comment.
You think, then, that she has
had a hand in it?"
Surely that's your province"
Selden took a bold course.
REID was telling me of a won
derful smoking room you have in
the roof; perhaps he was roman
cling. He said one could get a
good view of the neighborhood."
would you care to see it 2"
Graham asked suavely.
Selden finished his drink. "Very
much. You see, 1 don't know
much about this country round
here, and it might give me an idea
of where the missing people have
gone"
The Colonel led the way to the
roof, up the stairs from the gal
lery, and threw the door open.
The view was rendered indistinct
by the mist that had developed
after the storm, but the village
could be seen in the valley below,
and the pile of the Abbey rising
like dream picture from a thin
blush vapor that eddied in wisps
round the base. Woodland inter-
sected with meadows rose in I'M
dulating pillows from the vale.
and the stream showed like a sill
yer thread hidden at times bv
trees. A watery sun illuminated
the landscape, making it faint and
unreal like Corot picture"
"On a fine day this must be a
wonderful view," Selden said,
leaning his arms on the window
ledge and carefully examining the
shutters that could be pushed
from their sockets in the frame
work, and were Of steel. Colonel
Graham stood beside him, point
ing out the various places Of in
terest.
IF you have seen enough, Sell
den, We'll try the hounds. Coats
has two of them ready. The fresh
er the scent the better"
They were walking towards the
door, Selden leading, but at the
entrance the detective wheeled
suddenly, and his quiet, uncertain
manner was gone. The face that
met the Colonel's was very stern.
Colonel Graham, of what are
you afraid?"
The question was raped out
like pistol shot, and for a mo-
ment the other was taken off his
guard. He almost staggered back.
and fear leapt to his eyes. unnnis-
taxable and urgent terror.
yl4Then he recovered himself with
an obvious effort. Afraid? I
don't know what you mean-are
you trying to be funny or just
rude 2"
Selden's eyes were on him still,
gravely, almost pityingly. "You
won't tell mel am sorry for
many things"
Graham laughed IN silly.
Whatever made you have such
an absurd idea? I've been a SOL
der all my life"
"Exactly-that is why won