The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1946-01-11
Towards Zero

this crime was under the DONNA
ton of one fixed idea-an idea on
which they had brooded until-ht-
erally-nothing else mAttered or
had any importance.
Mary shlvered. She said:
There's something. think. you
ought to know
Concisely and clearly she told
him OF Mr.. Treves' visit TO dinner
and OF the story he had told. Su-
perintendent Battle was deeply in
terested. He said he could recog-
nize this person-man or woman
by the Way"
II took II that II was a boy the
story was about-but IT'S true Mr..
Treves didn't actually say so-in
fact, l remember now-he distinct
ly stated he would not give any
particulars as TO sex or age
did he? Rather significant, per-
haps. And he said there was q def
mite physical popularity by which
he could be sure of knowing this
child anywhere.
"Yes."
"A scar. perhaps-hAs anybody
here got a scarf"
He noticed the faint hesitation
before Mary Adm replied:
mot that I have noticed"
Come now. Miss Adm" He
smiled. You HAVE noticed some
thing. II so, don't you think that /
shall be able TO notice IT. too!"
She shook her head.
IL haven't noticed anything Of
the kind"
But he saw that she was startled
and upset. His words nd obviously
suggested a very unpleasant train
of thought to her. He wished he
knew just what 1t WAS, but his ex-
perience made him aware that to
press her at this minute would not
yield any result
He brought the conversation
back to old Mr.. Treves.
Mary told him Of tio tragic Sc
quel of the evening.
Battle questioned her at some
length. Then he said quietly:
That's a new one on me. Never
come across that before
What do you mean?-
I've never come across q muir
der committed by the simple expe-
dent Of hanging a placard on q
lift
She looked horrifed.
You don't really think.
THAT 1t was murder? OF course
II was! Quick, resourceful murder.
1t might not have come OF. Of
course-but 1t did come on
Just because Mr.. Treves knew
-"
Yes. Because he would have
been able to direct our attention TO
one particular person In this house.
AS 1t Is. we've started In the dark.
But we've got a glimmer of light
now. and every minute the case Is
getting clearer. III tell you this,
Miss Aldin-this murder WAS very
carefully planned beforehand down
to the smallest detail. And I want
TO impress one thing on your mind
don't let anybody know that
you've told me what you have. That
is important Don't tell anyone,
mind"
Mary nodded. She was stin look
ing dazed.
Superintendent Battle went out
Of the room and proceeded to dc
what he had been about to do when
Mary Adm intercepted him He
was a methodical man. He wanted
certain information and a new and
promising hare did not distract him
from the orderly performance of
his duties, however tempting this
new hare might be.
He tapped on the library door,
and Neville Strange's voice called,
Come in
Battle was introduced to Mr..
Trelawny, tall, distinguished
looking man with a keen dark eye.
Sorry II I am butting in." said
Superintendent Battle apologetical-
ly. But there's something haven't
got clear. You, Mr.. Strange, inherit
half the late Sir Matthews estate,
but who inherits the other half ?"
Neville looked surprised.