The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1937-09-08

play. THAT oilcloth and card
board were cut through with a
pocket knife and without undue
haste. That could not have been
done during a struggle.
Nothing happened to him in the
Inn where he stopped for water,
therefore the first opportunity
was while he was lying uncon-
scious in that field Of roots.
Humphreys was the first to find
him and he was brought straight
here"
Precisely. My household con-
sistS of Mrs. FouldS and myself.
You cannot suspect either OF us
Of pocket picketing."
Granted" Mattresses agreed.
Anyone else possess a key to your
surgery?"
"Not a soul-not a. SOUL" An
drews declared.
Why the break in your sem
tence?"
QUEER COINCIDENCE
cts a queer coincidence but it
can't amount to anything" the
doctor meditated.
"It seemed funny at the time.
that's all. You see," he went on,
IT always keep my surgery key n
the right-hand pocket Of my over
coat.
When we reached here tonight
you saw me tumble about for some
time. I ultimately discovered it
in the left-hand pocket OF my
coat"
"You think someone may have
borrowed it while you were dining.
eh?"
IT left it in one pocket when I
gave my things to your butler"
Andrews declared obStinately.
ut was in a different pocket
when I reached home tonight. Il
you can make anything OF that.
do. I can't"
Mystery upon mystery" Ma
tresser said lightly as he rose to
his feet. I'VE will let the matter
rest there for the moment, I think.
Don't let the man know that
the letter is missing and have an
other look at him before you go
to bed. I didn't exactly like his
appearance but it may have been
fancy.
"Are you ready to take me back
now or have you any late visits?"
Taking you back right away"
do you remember the place"
MatresSer asked as soon as they
had started, where that myster1'
GUS vehicle ran into us?"
"I shall never forget It," an
swered Andrews.
Just stop there for a minute
then, there's a good fellow"
The doctor, who was driving
with full headlights on, did as he
was asked.
Got a torch?" Matresser in
quired.
INVESTIGATE SPOT
His companion produced one
from the pocket of the car. Ma
tresser disappeared for several mo"
ments, but when he returned he
was smiling.
Andrews" he declared as he
took his place in the automobile,
IF were to start life again I
should choose to be detective"
"Why?"
IT should walk through the world
in lowlier mood because should
know what a fool I was"
Matressel let himself into the
Great House by the insignificant
side entrance which communica.
ted with the gun room below and
his own private suite of apartments
on the frs floor.
He was scarcely surprised to
find Henry Yates, deeply absorbed
in a detective story, waiting up for
him.
Anything special?"
Yates gravely marked the page
in his story and laid the volume
down.
PRIVATE LINE
'M17B rang up about a quarter
of an hour ago." he reported.
"They have established special
private line between Norwich and
here. They wish to speak to you
about it.
"You can get them" Matresser
directed.
In five minutes, MatreSSer found
himself speaking to an office in
Whitehall. The low confidential
voice at the other end was easily
recognizable.
That's Lord MatresSer?"
Speaking"
"Sir Francis would like word or
two with you personally. This is
a private line upon which we are
established now. Could you wait
for a few minutes?"
Certainly" Matresser replied.
IT shall await Sir Francis conven-
ience."
(TO Be COntinued)
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