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“Give me 52, Police Station,” he cried. “Are you there? Sen-d somebody at once up hereâ€"15 Do- wend Terrace. There has been murâ€" der done here. For Heaven's sake come quickly.” quEkTy 51â€"5; Zo:éE.vcur-esvcol‘dvsv.vheai the throat and Innis - a . 25 cents. For some timeâ€"a minute, an hourâ€"Steel stood over the dreadâ€" ful thing huddled upon the Hour of his conservatory. Just then he was incapable of consecutive ideas. His min-11 began to move length. The more 110 thought- the more abm‘dutolv certain he tnat he had fastened the door fore having the house. True latch was only an ordinary one A stain on the carpet; another by the conservatory door”. Pots of flowers scattered about, and a. hut!- dled mass like. a litter of empty sacks in one corner. Then the huddled mass resolved itself into the figure nf a man with a whit-e face smeared with blood. Dead! Oh, yes, dead enough. Stéel flew to thevtelephone and rang furiously. He was home at last. But surely he had closed the door before he started? He remembered distinctâ€" ly trying the latch. And here the latch was back and the door open. The quick snap of the electric light declared nobody in the dining- room. Beyond 'the study was in darkness. Nobody there, but â€"-~ stop! ' 311170133 6 11m. She was gone. Steel could hear the distant dying swish of silk, the rustling 0. the portiere, and then, with a. flick, the lights came up again. Halfâ€"blinded bv the sudden illumination Steel fumble-d his way to the door and into the street. As he did so Hove Town Hall clock chimed two. Him a, cigarette beâ€" tween his teeth David made his way home. “Goodâ€"night, and God bless you for a, real gentleman and a true friend. I will go .out of the room first and put the lights up after- wards. You will walk away and 01053 the door behind you. And once more good-night, but let us hope not goodâ€"bye.” “Nothing woude give me greater pleasure,” he said. “And may you be successful. Goodâ€"nighfiz” “In my poeket I have a clipping from the Times, which contains a chapter from the history of a medi- cal student who is alone in London. It closely resembles my plot. He says he has no friends, and he deems it prudent for reasons we need not discuss to let the world assume that he is dead. He dis- guises himself and goes to a doc- tor of rcpute, whom he asks to come and see hm brother-4. e., himselfhwho is dangerously ill. The doctor goes later in the day and finds his patient in bed with seâ€" vere internal inflammation. This is brought about by a free use of albumen. I don’t know what amount of albumen one would take Without extreme risk, but you could pump that information out of any doctor_. Well, our medical man calls again and yet again, and finds his patient sinking. The next day, the patient, disguised, calls upon .his doctor with the information that his ‘brother’ is dead. The doctor is not in the least surprised, andI without going to View the body gives 1 a certificate of death. Now, I adâ€" mit that all this sounds cheap and theatrical, but you can’t get over facts. The thing actually happenâ€" ed a little time ago in London.” “A thousand thanks,” the voice cried, passionately. “Some. day I mav be able to thank you face to face, to tell you how I managed to see your plot. May I?” The question came, quite eagerly, almost imploringly. “Ah,” the voice cried, “ah, if you could only tell me that! Let in" ruflian only imagine that I am dead; let him have proofs of it, and the thing is done. 1 could reach him then. Tell me how I can-(lie, disâ€" appear, leaving that; one man to beâ€" lieve I am no more. How can it be done?” CHAPTER III.â€"(Cont’d) Prime Rupert’s Ring, CHAPTER IV. OR, THE HOUSE OF' THE SILENT SORROW. beâ€" the and W “There is only myself and my me- ther, with three maids. You may dismiss any suspicion of the serâ€" vants from your mind at once. My mother trained them all in the old Vicarage where I was born, and not one of the trio has been with us less than twelve years.” “No, it was only when I put my key in the door that I discovered it to be upon. I have a spare latch- key, when 1 went to 100k for it just now the key was not ’96 be found. When I came back the house was perfectly quiét.” “What hill]in have you, sir? And what kind of s91‘vants‘é” A“Y(2u didn’t happen to lose your latchâ€"key dunng your midnight stroll, sir?” “That- simplifies matters some- what.” Marlo said. “Apparently you]: latch-kin: was EtuiL‘H by someâ€" body who i1:‘.3~ made careful study of your habiw. Do you generally go for late walla: after your houseâ€" hold has gone to lied, sir 'l" David replied Sumewhat grudgâ€" inglv that- ho. had never done such a, thing before. “No, it, was pulled to, but it was open all the same.” ' “Was the door fast on your re- turn ’3” “Bring the ambulance here,” ‘Cross said, cu‘rtly. “If we can get this poor chap to the hospital there .is just a chance for him. Fortu- nately, we naive not many yards to go.” “Positively, I have no explana- tion to offer,” David replied. “About midnight I let myself out to go for a stroll, carefully closing the door behind mo. Naturally. fhe door was on the latch. When I came- back an hour or so later, to my horror and Slll‘pl‘iSC, I found those marks of a struggle. yonder and that poor follow lying on l'lN‘ floor of the conservatory.” “I should like to have your ex- planati-on,‘ sir,” Marley sand. Cross waved his arm impatiently. The brandy was procured/Ls speedâ€" ilv as possible. Steel, watching in- tently. fancied that be detected a slight flicker of the muscles of the white, stark face. “A drop of brandy here, and quick as possible.” he commanded. “You don’t means to say,” Steel began; “you don’tâ€"” Marley laid the cigar-case on the table. It seemed strange to him, who could follow a tragedy calmly, that a man should forget his own property. Meanwhile Cross was bending over the body. A quick exclamation cam-e frfom the doc- “Not mine,” he said. “I mean to say, of course it is mine. A recent present. The shock of this discovery has deprived me of my senses pretty well.” He lifted the case with its diaâ€" monds gleaming like stars on a dark night. David had forgotten all about it for the. time, had forgot- ten where it- came from, or that 1t contained £250 in bankâ€"notes. “ ’Um,” Marley muttered. “Is thls a clue, or yours ” David nodded. Both the inspec- tor and the doctor were. acquaint-â€" ances of his. He closed the door and led the, way into the study. Just inside the conservatory and not far from the hudflled figure fay David’s n-ew cigarâ€"case. Doubtless, without knowing it, the owner had whisked it off the table when he. had sprung the telephone. “Something very serious, sir? Inspector Marley asked. “IN brought the doctor with me.” Then there was a. rumbling of an electric bell. The hall light streamed on a policeman in uniform and an inspector in a dark overâ€" coat and a hard felt hat. On the pavement “as a long shallow tray, which David recognized mechanical- ly as the ambulance.- a key might easily have been made to fit it. As a matter cf fact, Da~ vid had two, one in reserve In case of accidents. The other was usâ€" ually kept- in a, jewel-drawer of the d1‘essing~table. Perhaps-â€" David went quietly upstairs. It was just pos‘dble that. the murderer was in the house. But the closest search brought nothing to light. He pulled out the jewel drawer in the dressing-table. The spare latch- key had gone! {I}! Mr. Mosa counted the money carefully and wrote a receipt and “To hear that I have come to paw you in full,” David said; “£974. 105. 4d. up to yesterday, which is every penny you can right- fully claim. Here it is. Count it.” “If you have come to offer terms,” he said, “I am sorryâ€"” Steel swallowed a hasty break- fast and hurried off townwards. He had £1,000 packed away in his ciâ€" garâ€"case, and the sooner he was free from Beckstein the better he would be pleaseld._ ‘ He came at length to the officésmf; Messrs. Mosâ€" sa and Mack. -whos-e brassâ€"plate bore the legend that they were so- licitors. As David strode into the oflices of the senior partner that individual looked up with a. shade of anxiety in his deep, Oriental eyes. - “It might have, been you. my dear,” she said, placidly. “And indeed. it is'a dreadful business. But why not telephone to the hosâ€" pital and ask how the poor fellow The» patient was better, but was still in an unconscious condition. is?” He snapped the lights out and went- to bed at last. E111; not to sleep. The Welcome dawn came at length and David took his bath gratefully. He. would have to tell his mother what had happened, suppressing all reference to the Brunswick Square episode. It, was not a pleasant storv but Mrs. Ste-e1 assimilated it at length over her early tea, and toast. David went indoors. Mechanical- ly, he counted out; the bankâ€"notes, and almost as mechanically he cut his initials on the gunâ€"metal inside the cigar-case. At the bottom of the flight of steps they encounters-d Dr. Cross and the policeman. The former handed over to Mafiey a pocket- book and some papers, together with a. watch and chain taken from the wounded man. “He was stabbed twice in the back in the region of the liver,” said Cross. “He may recover, but it will be a long time before he is in a position to say anything for himself. Goodâ€"night, Mr. Steel.” tiun “I’ll run round ‘bo the hospital and come and see you agam in the mormn'g, s11',” Marley sald. “My impression is that somebody who knows the ways of the house watched me depart,” said David. “Then he lured his victim in here under pretence that it was his own houseâ€"he had the purloined latch- keyâ€"and murdered him.” Marley asked if he had had some appointment elsewhere tonight. “No,” David replied, “I hadn’t.” He prevaricated without hesita- “I‘ll come as far as the hospital with you,” said Steel. “Well, it’s a bit of a puzzle to me,” Marley admitted. Concrete" is sent FREE. It tells how to make, not only fence posts, but walks, curbs, horse blocks, barn foundations, feeding floors, well curbs, drinking troughs, silos, dairies, and many other farm utilities where cleanliness, strength and durability are required. Many of these things are simple and inexpen- sivc to make, and may easily be put together in Concrete is, in many localities, cheaper than wood, for fence posts, and more durable than stone, brick or iron. Our book, are sightly, strong, permanent Camemw Fence “ What The Farmer Can Do With CHAPTER V. wasn’t, sir.” “As a matbér of fact, you called my attention to it and asked if it, was mine.” “Then of course, it is mine. You know the case, Marley-it was 1y- ing on the floor of my conservatory last night.” “I did notice a gun-metal case there,” Marley said. “Why this mystery?” David ask- ed. “1 lost it this morning, and I suspect I left it at the otfice of Mr. Mossa.” “The case was sent here by Mr. Mossa. himself,” Marley adinitted. “Ah,” Marley said eagerlv. "can you tell us anythipgrabout it?” ' “Nothing bejyond 'the fact that I hope to satisfy you that the case is mine.” Marley stared openâ€"mouthed at David for a moment, and then re- lapsed into‘his sapless oflicial man- “And now perhaps you can give me some information 2” David said. “You are advertising in t0- night’s Argus a gun-metal cigar- case set with diamonds.” At the police station he learnt that Inspector Marley was still on the premises. Marley came forward gravely. He had a. few questions to ask, but nothing to tell. David slipped from the house and caught a ’bus in St. George’s Road. A little annoyed he took up the evening Argus. There was half a column devoted to the strange case at Downend Terrace, and just over it a late advertisement to the effect that a gunâ€"metal cigar-case had been found and was in the hands of the police awaiting an owner. Steel pass-ed into his study and lighted a cigarette. Bv the wav. where was the cigar-case? It would be just as well to lock the case away till he could discover some reasonâ€" able excuse for its possession. But the cigarvcase was not to be found, and David was forced to the con- clusion that he had left it in Mos~ sa’s office. Mr. Mosa proceeded to put his scheme into execution whilst David strolled along the sea front, took a steamer ride to Eastbourne and re- turned home at night. “Our friend is in funds," he mutâ€" tered. “Well, he shall have a. dance for his cigar-case. I’ll send it up to the policeâ€"station and say that some gentleman or other left it here by accident. And if Steel comes back we can say that there is no cigarâ€"case he’re. And if Steel does not see the police advertise- ment; he» will lose his pretty toy.” David strode out of the office with the remains of his small fortune rammed into his pocket. He had forgotten his cigarâ€"case, and it was some little. time before Mr. Mose. saw it. “And you said at first that it your spare time. The bunk carefully and simply tells all. The Jaguar price of the book is 500. \Ve are distributing fret. ;: limitcd number, how- ever, and charging up lllc cost to advertising. That’s why you get you' copy/afrce, if you Sign the coupon and send it loâ€"(lay. Do it now. 03% Lfim Thaw Address Name ...... You may send ml- a copy of “What the Farmer Can Do \‘Vl'zh Concrete.” ‘» "Oh, confound it; no. It wasâ€" w-ell. it was a present from a. friend for a little service tendered. I Eund-erstand it was ‘puréhased at. ;Lockhart’s, in North .Street. No, :1’11 be hang-ed if I answer any more of your questions, Marhy. Your queries are distinctly impartin- ent.” __ v â€"â€" ‘ a] quackly BE;- Eon khvcuras colds. he the throat and Inn 5. - a - 25 cent Even the lowly dealer in old junk is apt to be a man bf metal. cost of living. Little VViHie‘Oh, Uncle' ueorge,, did you bring your hbrn? Uncle Georgeva horn'! Why, I have no‘ horn. Little WilliF?hén I wonâ€"‘ der what papa meant _when he said. you were off on a toot last week. ; Anyway. the owner‘of an airship may beflable to keep up with the Sheâ€"Papa asked‘WhaLt your in-, tentions were last evening, George.x Heâ€"Didn’t sav anything about his own, did he? hustomerâ€"“You guaranteed a» fit, didn?t you.” Tailorâ€"“1‘ did.” bustomerâ€"“Well, "the only fib‘ about these clothes was “the one myi wxfe had when shlejsawjem.” David started at the gravity of the tone. ~\‘Vhat on earth d‘o'you mean?” he cried. “Do I understand you decline to account for the case?” “Certainlv I do.” “You are placing yourself in a» very delicate positioonr. Steel.” 5517oh3 CI! {ukfily s‘togsJ 5914115. can: c0125. hen In the same retjoent fashion Marley proceeded tolunlock a, safe in the corner. and high: thence he producer what appearedto‘ be the identical cause of allgthis talk. He pulled the electric tablelamp over to him and progeedé-H, to examine the inside carefully. “You are quite right,” he midi! “Your inifials are here. And it has been some time in_'your posses- sion, sir?” l ‘ “Well, you must mike {Allowances for mv then frame of_u§ind,” David laughed. “I gather {from your manner that somebQ'dy ‘selse has been after the case; if that is so, you are. right to be‘re-ficent. Still, it is in your hands to sé'file the mat- ter on the spot. Alljy'ou have to do is to open the “CH/86,53,11d if you fail to find my initials. D. S.,’ scratched in the le'ft~h'and top cor- ner, then 1 have lost‘lpy property and the other fellow has found his.” iccipe bani: Eiéicwgg} g flzyofilng used the baking: as lamina or num- v 15w vmz 31‘ n sugar 1: '73 u adding liap'lciln. : 3213:5013; iynu: in mfii a syrup better thin mgple. M kin {E grocers. It got and 501-: for?oa. % a retina bank. vane-n. MI- 1'. 1--.“- up (To be continuéd.) FITTED. '23 «£533: