Evening Star Newspaper, July 6, 1923, Page 16

THE EVIL SHEPHERD By E. Phillips Oppenheim. (Oopyright, 1938, by Littls, Brown & Oo.) (Continued from yesterday.) CHAPTER XIII Four men were discussing the ver- dict at the adjourned inquest upon Victor Bidlake, at Soto's American Bar about a fortnight later. They were Robert Fairfax, a young actor in musical comedy; Peter Jacks, a cinema producer; Gerald Morse, & dress designer, and Sidney Voss, a musical composer and librettist, all habitues of the place and members of | the little circle toward which the dead man had seemed, during the last few weeks of his life, to have become attracted. At a table a short distance away Francls Ledsam was seated with a cocktall and a dish of almonds before him. He seemed to be studying an evening paper and to be taking but the scantiest notice of the conversation at the bar. “It just shows,” clared, “that crime is the easiest game in the world. Given a reason- able amount of intelligence, and a murderer's business is about as sim- ple as a sandwich man's." “The police.” Gerald Morse, a pale- faced anaemic-looking clared, “rely upon two cumstantial evidence and motive. the present case there is no circum- stantial evidence, and as to motive. poor old Victor was too big a fool to have an enemy in the world.” Sidney Voss, who was up for the Sheridan Club and had once been there, glanced respectfully across at Francis. You ought to know something about crime and criminals, Mr. Le: sam.” he said. ve you any theory about the affair Francis set down the glass from which he had been drinking, and, folding up the evening paper, iald it by the side of him. s a matter of fac calml have. The few words, simply spoken, yet in their way charged with menace, thrilled through the little room. Fair- fax swung round upon his stool, a tall, agressive-looking youth whose good looks were half eaten up with dissipation. His eyes were unnatur- bright, the cloudy remalns in glass indicated absinthe Listen, vou fellows!” he ex- claimed. “Mr. Francis Ledsam, the great criminal barrister, is going to solve the mystery of ppor old Vic- tor’s death for us The three other young men all turned around from the bar. Their eyes and whole attention seemed riveted upon Francls. No one seem- ed to notice the newcomer who passed quietly to a chair in the back- ground, although he was a person of some note and interest to all of m. Imperturbable and immacu- late as ever, Sir Timothy Brast smiled amiably upon the little gath- ering, summoned a walter and or- dered a dry Martini. 1 can scarcely promise Peter Jacks de- " he answered to do his eyes Francis said slowl R |'\ 3 tha . \a‘\,’ resting_for a second or two upon each of the four faces. “Exact so- lutions are a little out of my line. I think I can promlse to give you a shock, though, 1{f you're strong enough to stand It."" There was another of those curi- ously charged silences. The bar- tender paused with the cocktall shaker still in his hand. Voss began to beat negvously upon the counter with his knuckles. “We can stamd anything but sus- pense,” he declared. “Get on with your shock glving. “I belleve that the person responsi- ble for the death of Victor Bldlake 18 in this. room at the present moment,’ Francls declared. Again_the silence, curious, tense and dramatic. Little Jimmy, the bar- tender, who had leaned forward to listen, stood with his mouth slightly open and the cocktall shaker which was In his hand leaking drops upon the counter. The first conscious im- pulse of everybody seemed to be to glance suspiciously around the room The four young men at the bar, Jimmy and one waiter, Francis and Sir Timothy Brast, were its only oc- cupants. “I say, you know, that's a bit thick, 0ss stammered af I wasn't in place at all, 1 in Manchester, but it's a bit on these other chaps, Victor's Jacks declared, loudly. Morse drew a Httle breath. % ery one knows that T Brighton,” he muttered. “I went home directly the bar here closed,” Jimmy sald, in a still dazed tone. heard nothing about it till the next morning.” “Alibis by the laughed harshly. “As for me, I w doing my show—every one Kkno: that. I was never in the place at all. “The murder was not committed in the place,” Francis commented calmly. Fairfax slid off his stool. A spot of color blazed in his pale cheek: the glass which he was holding snapped in his fingers. He seemed suddenly possessed. “I say, what the hell are you get- ting at?’ he cried. “Are you accusing me—or any of us—Victor's pals?” “I accuse no one,” Francis replied, unperturbed. “You Invited a state- ment from me and I made it.” Sir Timothy Brast rose from his place and made his way to the end of the counter, next to Fairfax and nearest Francis. He addressed the former. There was an inscrutable smile upon his 1ips, his manner was reassuring. “Young gentleman” he begged. pray do not disturb yourself. I will answer for it that neither you nor any of your friends are the objects of Mr. Ledsam's suspicion. Without a doubt. it is I to whom his somewhat bold statement refers.” They all stared at him, immersed in another crisis, bereft of speech. He tapped a cigarette upon the counter and lit it. Fairfax, whose glass had just been refilled by the bartender, was till hastly pale, shaking with nervousness and breath- ing hoarsely. Francis, tense and: Wy was at bushel,” Fairfax & ot THE EVENING STAR, -WASHINGTON, D.. O, alert in his chalr, watched the speak- er but said nothing. “You see,” S8ir Timothy continued, addressing himself to the four young men the bar, “I happen to have two special aversions in life. One is sweet champagne and the other ama- teur detectives—their stories, thelr methods and everything about them. “I chanced to sit, upstairs in the restaurant, within hearing_of Mr. Ledsam and his friend Mr. Wilmore, the novelist, the other night, and I heard Mr. Ledsam, very much to my chagrin, announce his intention of abandoning a career in which he has if he will allow me to say so"—with a courteous bow to Francis—"at- talned considerable distinction, to in- dulge in the moth-gaten, flamboyant and melodramatic antics of the lesser Sherlock Holmes. I fear that Icould not resist the opportunity of—I think you young men call it—pulling his leg.” Every one was listening Intently, including Shopland, who had Jjust drifted into the room and subsided into a chair near Francis. “I moved my place, therefore,” Sir Timothy continued, “and I whispered in Mr. Ledsam's ear some rodomon- tade to the effect that if he were planning to be the giant crime-detec- tor of the world, I was by ambition the arch-criminal—or words to that effect. And to glve emphasis to my words, I wound up by prophesying a crime in the immediate vicinity of the place within a few hours. “A somewhat significant prophecy, under the circumstances,” Francls remarked, reaching out for a disa of salted almonds and drawing them toward him. Sir Timothy shrugged his shoul- ders deprecating “I will confess.” he admitted, “that I had not in mind an affair of such dimensions. My harmless remark, however, has produced cataclysmic effects. The conversation to which I fer took place on the night of murder. and Mr. Led- AWONDERFUL sam, with my somewhat, I confess, bombastic words in his memory, has pitched upon me as the bloodthirsty murderer.” “Hold on for a moment, sir,”” Peter Jacks begged, wiping t! perspira- tion from his forehead. ‘We've got to have another drink quick. Poor old Bobby here looks knocked all of a heap, and I'm kind of jumpy myself. You'll join us, sir?” “I thank you,” was the courteous reply. “I do not as a rule indulge to the extent of more than one cock- tall, but I will recognize the present as an exceptional occasion. To con- tinue, then” he went on, after the glasses had been filled, have dur- ing the last few weeks experienced the ceaseless and lynx-eyed watch of Mr. Led: and presumably his myr- midons. I do not know whether you are all acquainted with my name, but in case you are not, let me introduce myselr. ~ I am Sir Timothy Brast, chairman, as I dare say you know. of the United Transvaai Gold Mines, chairman, also, of two of the principal hospitals in London, vice president of the Soclety for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, a patron of sport in many forms, a traveler in many countries, and a reciplent of the honor of knighthood from his maj- esty, In recognition of my services for varfous philanthroplc works. These facts, however, have availed me nothing now that the bungling am: teur investigator Into crime has pointed the finger of suspicion toward me. My servants and neigh- bors have alike been plagued to death with cunning questions as to my life and habits. I have been watched In the streets and watched in my har: less amusements. My simple life has been peered into from every perspec- tive and direction. In short, I am suspect Mr. Ledsam's terrifying state- | ment a few minutes ago was directed | toward me and me only.” | There were murmurs of sympathy |from the four young men, who each lin his own fashion appeared to de- consolation ir Timothy's v from A New-and Faster Telephone Service to Baltimore 9/00 can now call Baltimore by simply giving the Baltimore num- ber to your local operator. i For example, when your ber, ? say “Baltimore—Plaza 3912.” Thisservice is as fast as a call to a Washing ton suburban telephone. The method O perator asks “Num: e you hold the receiver to your-ear, she will ring the Baltimere number. opetation is the-same. If you do not know the telephone numbes desired in Baltimore, ask “Information” “This serviceapplies o callsfor the rumber only. If you want to talk with a of person. call for “Long Distance” in the usual way. THE CHESAPEAKE AND POTOMAC TELEPHONE COMPANY frank and somewhat caustic state- ment. Francls, who had ened un- moved to this flow of words, glanced toward ‘the door, behind which dark figures seemed to be looming. “That is all you have to say, Sir Timothy?’ he asked politely. “For the present, yes,” was the guarded reply. “I trust that I have succeeded In setting gentlemen’s minds at ease. “There is one of them, sald gravely, ‘whose mind not e your soothing words could lighten.” Shopland had risen unobtrusively to his feet. He laid his hand sudden- ly on Fairfax's shoulder and whis- pered in his ear. Fairfax, after his first start, asemed cool enough. He stretched his hand toward the glass which as yet he had not touchied, covered It with his fingers for a moment and drained its con- tents. The gently sarcastic smile left Sir Timothy's lips. His eyebrows met in a quick frogn, his eyes glittered. “What is the meaning of this?" he demanded, sharply. A policeman in plain clothes had advanced from the door. The man- ager hovered in the background. Shopland saw that all was well. “It means,” he announced, “that I have just arrested Mr. Robert Fair- fax here on a charge of wilful mur- der. There is a way out through the kitchens, 1 bellieve. Take his other FRIDAY, JULY 6, 1923. arm, Holmes. it you 'please. There were a few bewildered ex- clamations—then a dramatic hush Fairfax_had fallen forward on his stool. He seemed to have relapsed into & comatese state. Every scrap of ‘color was drained from his sallow cheeks, hig eyes were covered with a film and he was breathing heavily. The dotective snatched up the glass from which the young man had been drinking and smelt it. “I saw him drop a tablet in just now,” Jimmy faltered. “I thought it was’ one of the digestion pills he uses sometimes.” Shopland and the policeman placed their hands underneath the armpits of the unconscious man. \ “He's done, sir,” the former Whis-- red to Francls. “We'll try to get im to the station it we can.”* CHAPTER XIV, The. great, tragedies in the world, provided they happen to other people, have singularly little effect upon the externals of our own lives. There was certainly not a soul in Soto’s that night who did not know that Bobby Fairfax had been arrest- ed in the bar below for the murder of Victor Bidlake, had taken poison and Now, gentlemen, dled on the way to the police sta- tion. Yot the same number of din- ners were ordered and eaten, the same quantity of wine drunk. The management considered that they had shown marvelous delicacy of feeling by restraining the orchestra from their usual musical gymnastics until after the service of dinner. Conversation, in consequence, buzsed louder than ever. One speculation in particular absorbed the attention of every single person in the room— why had Bobby Falrfax, at the zenith of a very successful career, risked the gallows and actually ac- cepted death for the sake of killing Victor Bidlake, a young man with whom, 80 far as anybody knew, he had no cause of quarrel whatever? There were many theories, many people who knew the real facts and whispered them into a nelghbor's ear, only to have them contradicted a few moments later. Yet, curlously enough, the two men who knew most about it were the two most silent men in the room, for each was dining alone. Francis, who had rémained only in the hope that something of the sort might happen, was conscious of a queer sense of excitement when, with the service of coffee, Sir Tim- othy, glass in hand, moved up from ® taple lower down and with a word of apology took the vacant place by his side. It was what he had de- sired, and ye! he feit a thrill almost. of fear at Sir Timothy's murmured. words. He felt that he was in the company of .one who, if not an enemy, at any rate had no friendly’ feeling towards him. “My congratulations, Mr. Ledsam,” Sir Timothy sald quietly. '“You aps pear to have started your career with & success.” X “Only a partial one,” Francis ac- knowledged, “and as a 'matter of fact I deny that I have started In any new career. It was easy enough to make use of a fluke and direct the-. intelligence of others towards the right person, but when the real sig-, nificance of the lhlnf still eludes you, one can scarcely claim a triumph.” Sir Timothy gently knocked the |ash from the very fine cigar which he was smokin “Still, your jgoundwork was good,” he_observed. shru¥Zed his shoulders. hefwdmitted, “was due to nc. “Shall we exchange notes?” Sir Timothy suggested gently. “It might be interesting.” (o be contintied tomorrow.) . In early spring on the Pacific, large schools of mackerel come to the coast. You won’t turn him down! Pretty confiden® grin on the little Eskimo kid! He knows his live, happy drink will get a glad “hello” from the crowd. about everybody—they all like it. you like it too. You like it best when your throat is very dry and Clicquot is very cold. Why shouldn’t you? Itstang and sparkle and fragrance make a happy combination for killing a thirst. It’s just about a perfect drink—everything in it is the best to be had. The water rises clear and cold from unchanging springs; the Jamaica gin- ger is better than any other grown; and the fruit flavors and cane sugar are excellent too. All in the happy blend that has made Clicquot Club Ginger Ale a favorite for thirty-eight years. It’s popular with just Of course Try Clicquot Club Sarsaparilla too—or the Root Beer or Birch Beer. Get them all from your grocer or druggist. Buy them by the case and keep on hand for your family and your guests. | ] Qtomuuce& THE CLICQUOT CLUB COMPANY Millis, Mass., U. S. A. o\ Nee Ko (9NN GINGER ALE Ginger Ale Sarsaparilla Birch Beer Root Beer