The Haslingden Gazette. — 1907-03-23 (Haslingden, Lancashire, England)

THE SERCP:ANT'S EYES.  ,Rt. returned to his office : despatched one of IS lieutenants to Cromwell 'Mansions. Famished with a description of Mr. Grey, the man was instructed to watch that gentleman's movennotta. trAftee wilkh Ward returned to his waiting haltests : was driven to Scotland Yard. Thera be interviewed Petective-?lergeant "Ii alt, ! " The oflieer was surprised at seeing Ward V Oil% NO soon. " What's brought you baelt ? You'll hale to take up your quarters here ! "I haven't «Imo about the same matter." " 011 ? "  " As a matter of fact. I ant here about ore in ii eliyod itto concerned.'  Prisuner 7 "  you have the case in hand, haven't you —the 3!iiismore Mansions murder t" • " Oh, yes : vt-lat are yen' deing in that I " " Something which will surprise you. I have teen hist:twit-it in rather a curious way." " How icc filet " " Ileeatise I ccci acting on behalf of the man who has been arrested 7 'I he noirdi•rer 1" " .Miirderer r that's your way of putt itig it, Black. If my instructions are correct—and. I may add, it my suspicions are correct--you have put the ,addle on the wrong horse." •' Oh, come, I say, Ward ! If ever there was a ttlain, straigkt for 14/: Jll, absolutely clear ease in the a orld, this is on," " It may be." Wald answered good-tempercelly. " SOMMIIe'S I ound to make a mistake, you know. won't say it isn't ate, but—for argument's sake —adroit the pesdbility of itA being you." " 'My dear " Wel!. don't let us argue, because We shall not agree. I frankly admit that I haven't any proofs to show you. It is only jest a SlOlpiCiol, I have that von have the wrong SOW by the oar." 1-thick lay hack in his chair and laughed. There was a ring of heartiness in his mirth ; he was so sure. " Well. if you aren't armed with proofs, and won't crgite the matter, nhat the dickens has brought you all the wac from the City 7 " Ward laughed, too. then. It was part of It is method to ever accord with the humour of those of whom he was asking help. " It will sound funny to you," he answered, " more especially seeing that I shall he--in a measur.--tighting you." " I don't mind that, Ward. You never hit below the belt." " I want you to dO Olf• a favour—to hit me ge over the rooms." " Where the murder was committed " "My dear boy, we have ransacked the Flare from top to bottom. There isn't a clue around i there the size of a bee's knee!" " All the same," Ward insisted, "you will oblige me greatly if you take me there. I shall be for ever indebted to you if you will." " Oh, if you put it that way, of course there is only one answer." Ile reached his hand up to a hook on which his hat rested; continued: "It happens that business takes me to that district. I have the key." He picked it up from his desk as he spoke. "If you will promise not to be longer than half an hour in the place I will give you that time with pleasure." WArd was duly grateful; gave expression to his thanks. Presently a cab was carrying them in Ike direction of Maismore Mansions. A little later they were within the flat. ' If I hadn't gone all over this place myself. and know that there ii nothing here to disc-over. l I shouldn't do what I am going to do." "What's that " "Offer you the run of the rooms for that stipulated half-hour. I reckon that the business that brought me to this district will take just that , time. I shall go along and transact it, leaving you here. In thirty minutes I shall return for you " " I couldn't ask for anything better," answer,d Ward; "that will suit me down to the ground." " I am off then--"  ..._ ......--I "It must seem awfully fatuous to you, this ,behaviour on my part; especially after your DON'T LOOK OLD! telling me that will be EeerB.9re:day"Yfogirftedyouthaet plane for of the thirty minutes--and thirty thousand