Evening star., 1939-07-30

the irrepressible Greta, land l am sure that
all the medallions -"
will you stop!' beloved Trenk. IF YOU
speak again I'll smother you. A slight sound
woke me about two o clock in the morning"
you mean it woke me, DEAR" said his
wife. Il woke you"
Trenk glared at her, then went on Il got
up at two O'Clock in the morning because l
thought heard sound down here. | stepped
very quietly. didn't turn the light up until
l was right inside the door, When did, the
room was empty searched around. At first
l thought that nothing had been disturbed;
then saw funny thing
He paused dramatically; on that pause,
neither Greta nor Mrs. Trenk intruded.
"You see there are four medalions on top
of the four big panels" He pointed. They
represent mermaids biting one another's
tails q harmless amusement. thought all
the carving was solid, but it seems these
medallions are separate pieces attached by
hidden screws Well, they are all fixed, now -
but that one just above the buffet, had been
removed 1t was lying there beside the old
punch bowl The one next to it. just this side
of the hearth, had been partially removed,
but was still in place"
'Extraordinary." Trevvy murmured.
EXTRAORDINARY" growled Trenk >'Just
plain imbecility What's more. all the win
dows were locked - and all the doors. Not a
soul but ourselves was in Baxter's.'
THE servants?" suggested.
CLANCY and his wife we're fast asleep.
checked up on it. Tom the colored boy, live
with his mother. who's cook, in cottaa
three hundred yards away
1t was perfect summers evening.
Some neighbors joined us for dinner; in tHr
subdued lighting, with candles on the tabl
| thought that this room had distinct,
quality which made it in many respec
unique. Trenk was powerful but amusir
talker. and De Treville was in good form. tt
company found charming, and thorough
enjoyed myself
When the visitors, William Selsdon. Ne
York lawyer, his wife and their daughter.
vivacious brunette who had done her best
monopolize Trevvy during the latter part
the evening, we're leaving. Selsdon said in
dry, legal voice, Il should advise you, Tren
to make sure of all your locks. bolts and ba
being in order tonight. That burglar of you
might come along and saw the leg off chain
When, after a final drink with Tren
Trevvy and stood up, our host said: \
IF that mad carpenter gets in here =
night, he won't be burglar - he'll be
bogey! l am locking things up myself, al
the key of the dining room will be in
grandfather's clock in the lobby. Any burglsxs
who guesses that deserves top marks
"Why not take it UPSTAIRS" l suggested
Because Clancy and his wife will want
to clear this room up before I'm awake. II
left note on the kitchen table which say
Wind the grandfather, first thing The key
on hook right inside the clock
"You have no suspicion whatever
Clancy?"
mo sir! He and his wife have been wit
me for fifteen years"
That settles it"
must explain here that my room lmmec
ately faced the top of the stairs, Trevvys w
next on the right, and the room occupied
the Trenks, was along narrow passag|
Greta's room opened into this passage ais
and there was service staircase to the kitchd
at it's further end. mention the position
the rooms for the reason that, owing to mir
being 50 near to the lobby. and to the fad