CHAPTER IX.—Continued

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13747, 9 September 1908, Page 6

CHAPTER IX.— Continued

| "As 1 told you, Inspector," sai.l Dan, quietly, "I was alone at the time." "You didn't notice any one in the street, or near about, sir?" "Certainly not. If there had been I should have called out tor assistance. There wasn't even a policeman." "Did Mr. Easter call here beiore or after you found the body?" "Immediately after I'd carried the poor old chap in here." * "Have you Mr. Easter's address, sir?" "Certainly, here is one of his .ii-dc-. Have you discovered any clue <v to v. .-o tho dead man was?" The inspector paused. "The body has been identified," h» answered. "An important witness has come forward. It was a case of foul play, sir," he turned to Garret. "The old man did not die from failure of the heart." "Murder, oh?" said Charrington. "By Jove, this is exciting! Who's your witness, Inspector? Won't tell, eh? Never mind, I'll give you long odds 1 discover who it is, and have an interview with him in print before you've handed in your information at the Yard." "You're getting slow, Mr Brown." was the retort; "leader writing has taken your edge off. I've got my information — in my pocket. I shall hand it in" — he glanced at the clock — "at half-past five precisely!" "It's only tour now," said Anne. "You must liave a slow typist, Mr Harris. Shall I," she gazed at him, ingenuously, "shall I type it for you? I'd get through with it in half au hour." "No, thank you, miss. I fancy you've got enough on your hands just at present. You've this conversation to transcribe, you know, and " he Spaused. "I daresay there are some 'notes of Mr Brown's left over from last night," he added, drily. "You've a good memory, miss? You want it — as a typist." The inspector rose in an uncomfor table silence and walked to the door. •'Good day," he said. "You're sure there was no one with you when you iound the body, Mr Garret?" Ho stood a moment waiting on tho threshold; then with a quiet smile closed the door. "He suspects," cried Anne. "I feel it in his look, in his face!" "It's obvious Scott has communicated with him," said Charrington. "The question is what ho is waiting for?, What's going to happen between now and half -past five?" Ann© started to her feet. ' 'Scott w^rits to njajje sure," she said, with a sudden inspiration. "He doesn't mean to leave me a loophole of escape. There's only one thing he's not certaiA of. He doesn't know if I had any chloral with me last night. He's waiting to find out." "You didn't" — Garret's lips were twitching — "buy any yesterday?" She nodded. "I purchased a bottle at a chemist's in Camden Town — and — I gave my name and address." Brown sank limply into a chair. "The game's up, I'm afraid," lie said, "by half-past five," he paused. "There's only an hour and a-half," he turned to Dan, "before the warrant will be out for her arrest. What can we do to save her?"