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Show THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, SUNDAY MORNING, NOVEMBER 27, 1921. The YELLOW STREAK stnofsh. By Valentine Williams " When did Jay eee U last? " " On Thursday! " "But are you sure that this Is the esme pistol as' the one which Jay has been In the habit of seeing? " "Jay Is absolutely sure. He says that Par. rish only had the one automatic, which he always kept in the same drawer in his dressing room. Robin was silent for a moment. Very deliberately he filled his pipe, lit tt. and drew until it burned comfortably. Then he said slowly: , Bartler Pamahn root st SsrUnca, bis eeentry ladDda lady Xsrcarat Wanrl. bar deadlier Mm Marr and aoe Boraca, and K 4a Ore. Wbaa Mary, in anew to Robin' prawns al. tell bln aba la enraged to Pantos and ad its nrareenar? no , Arm lea Tea la uer. alary hear a (hot and Farrlah la found daad in Ua library, ailb bia rnoltar in bia band. Eoepldo la directed toward a a factor la tha apparent auidda whaa Bade, tha butler, tella of baartna aacry roieaa. Bohta daolea all. aad Trices tha ballot Parrtofc waa "derad. Ba Bada a myatarloua acrap of Una per boaida tha body, and lakr a bullat mark aa aa aartsbt la tha ram tardea. Ho learea Barkiata at Barya raauaat, nude tbroutb bar brother Detective Kaadarteo, la ebarta of the caeo. U Mary tha verdict arill ba auidda, but aba ran ba to sot aatlaflad with tbla. Jeekea. Parrleh r aeatary, infarma Mary of a F ranch wooiaa to Parriah Ufa. Wblla they ara talking a door to found aler, m tboutb there bad boau an eavesdropper. Bobln to wiaitad by Bruoa Wright, formerly employed by Parriah. who tella of the latter career la South Air- - of ana Victor Marbraa. aa enemy, ad . of certain blue letter that roused Parriah a fear. Kobia aeoda Wright to Barklnn to fet the Mu letter that arrived Jurt before Parriah drath Wrttht la about to anarch Parriah deak when eotue oo enter the lihrary, and ba hid. Peer, 'n out. ba aeea tt to Mary Trerert. Be confronla ..." Her-an- a. fLThlS her. SEVENTH INSTALLMENT. TJm Maxim Silencer. ..erit- the girl, 4 you fright met ened Tou frightened me! What do you want here J3. . in this horrible room?" She waa trembling. One slim band plucked nervously at her dress. - Her breath came and went quickly. I eaw the curtain move, I ,, thought It - Wxa the wind at first. "But then I aaw the outline of your lingers. And I imagined it waa him comeback . . . Mlsa Trevert, said the boy, abashed. I must have frightened you terribly. I bad no idea it was you." But why are you hiding here? How did you get in? What do you want in this ... vhouse? She spoke quickly, nervously. Some papers she held in her hand shook with her emotion Bruce Wright stepped to the desk and turned the bulb of the reading lamp down into its normal position. I must apologize most sincerely for the fright I gave you." be said. 1 O. I Robin think so" thought Intently for a" moment. Then Mary Is the only one who can put us right on that point. Assuming that two shots were fired and that bullet mark in the rosary it, I think, conclusive on that head end knowing that she heard the loud report of the one, presumably, 11 Parrish had the silencer on his automatic Mai? must have heard ths muffled report of the other. What It comes to is this, Mary heard the shot fired that killed Parrish. Did she beer the shot he fired at his murderer? " "By Gad!" exclaimed Bruce Wright. Impressively, "I believe youve got It, Robin! Parrish fired st somebody at ths widow a silent shot end the other fellow fired hack the shot that Mary Trevert heard, the shot that killed Parriah. Isnt that the way you figure it out?" Not ao fast, young man," remarked But.believe -- g ... , ... absent-mindedl- t ... ..." cub-boar- Bruce Wright jerked hie head in the direction of the courtyard. sented myself In the ordinary way, but as I told you, Bude told me the police had locked up the room and taken away the key, . . Mary Trevert smiled forgivingly. So they did," she said. -- But Jay, Mr. '' Parrish's man, you know, had another key. He brought it to me." She looked at Bruce with a whimsical little smile. s " Tou must have been very uncomfortable I believe behind those curtains, she said. you were Just as frightened as I Was. She walked around the desk to the window. " It was a good hiding place, she remarked, "but not much good as an observation post. Why! you could see nothing of the room. The curtains are much too thick! Not a thing, Bruce agreed rather ruefully. " I thought you were the detectiv e! " He held out his hand to take his leave w ith a smile. He was a charming looking boy, with a remarkably serene expression, which went well with his close cropped golden hair. Mary Trevert did not take hla hand for an instant. Looking down at the point of her small black suede shoe she said shyly: Mr. Wright, you are a friend of Mr. Greve, arent you? " " Rather! " was the enthusiastic answer. " Do you see him often? " Tho boy's eyes narrowed suddenly. Was this a O, yes, then." he replied, " every now and Mary Trevert raised her eyes to his. " Wilt yon do something for me? " she Tell Mr. Greve not to trust Hander." said. ton. 'He will know whom I mean. Tell him to be on his guard against that man. Bay he means mischief. Tell him, above all things, to be careful. Make him go away go abroad until this thing has blown over. She spoke with intense earnestness, her dark eyes fixed on Bruce Wrights faoe. But promise me you wont say this comes from me! Do you understand? There are reasons, very strong reasons, for this. Will you promise? " Of course " She took Bruces outstretched hand. ... ... - let-te- desk?" " I dont know at all," said Mary, smoothing back a lock of hair from her temple. I daresay Mr. Jeekes had a look round, as he had a meeting with Mr. Parrish's lawyer in town this afternoon! " She had. lost all trace of her fright and now quits calm and collected. "Do you know for certain, whether Mr. Jeekes was In here? " esked Bruce. O, yes. The first thing be did en arriving last night was to go to the library." "I suppose Jeekes Is coming back here tonight?" No, she told him. Mr. Jeekes did not expect to return to Harkings until the inquest en Tuesday. Bruoe Wright picked up his hat. "I must apologize again. Miss Trevert. he said, " for making such an unconventional entrance and giving you such a fright But I felt I could not rest until I had investigated matters fqr myself. I .would have pre Was wm ( me, Miss Trevert, I had no. Idea that any body could gain access to this room. I climbed in through the window. Bruce told me that, 'the. police had taken , away tha key , . ." The girl made an impatient gesture. But why have you come here? she said. What do you want?" The boy measured her with a narrow glance. He waa young, but he was shrewd. He eaw her frank eyes, her candid, open mien, and he took a rapid decision. I think I have come," he answered slowly, "for the same purpose as yourself" And ha looked at the papers in her hand. I used to be Mr. Parrishs secretary, you know," he said. The girl sighed a little fluttering sigh and looked earnestly at him. I remember," she said. Hartley liked you. He was sorry that ho sent you away. He often spoke of you to me. But why have you come back? What do you mean by saj-lnyou have come for the same purpose as myself?" Bruce Wright looked at the array of IctUr trays. The marble paperweight had been displaced. The tray in which It had lain was empty. H. looked at the sheaf of papers in the girls hand. 1 wanted to eee," he replied, whether there was anything here on his desk which would explain the mys. of his death - teryThe girl spread out the papers In her hand on tbs big blotter. She laid the papers out In a row and leaned forward, her white arms resting on ."the desk- From ths other side of the desk" the boy leaned eagerly forward and scanned the line of papers. At the first glimpse his face fell. The girl, eyeing him closely, marked the charge which came over his features. There were seven papers of various kinds, both printed and written, and they were all on white paper. The boy shook bis head and swept tho papers together into a heap. Its not there? queried the girl eagerly. Ntor said Bruce, glancing round the desk. What Isnt?" flashed back the girl. Bruce Wright felt his fsce redden with vexation. What sort of a confidential emissary was he to fall Into a simple trap like this? The girl smiled rather wanly. Now know what you meant by saying you had come for tbs same purpose as myself." she said. " I suppose we both thought we might find something, a letter, perhaps, which would explain why Mr. Parrish did this dreadful thing, something to relieve the awful uncertainty about about his motive. Weil, Ive searched the desk . . . and theres nothing! Nothing but Just these prospectuses and receipts which were In the letter tray here. They must have come by the post yesterday morning. And theres nothing of any Importance In tha drawers . . . only household receipts and the wages hook and a few odd things Ilka that Tou can sea for yourself The loer part of the desk consisted of three drawers flanked on either side by cupboards. Mary Trevert pulled out the drawers and opened the cupboards. . Two of the drawers were entirely empty and one of the contained nothing but a stack of cigar boxes. One drawer held various papers to the house. Thera was no sign of any letter written on- tho slatey-bin- o paper- .Tho boy looked very hard at Mary. Tou say there was nothing in the letter tray but these papers here?" he asked. " Nothing but these," replied tha girl. " Tou didnt notice any official looking r on blueish paper? he ventured to ask. " "No, answered the girl. I found nothing hut these-- " The boy thought for a moment. . "Do you know,? he asked, "whether the police or anybody have been through the mensthLITarUey Parrish -- " -- -- murdered. Bruce, old man. All through Ive been puzzling my mind to reconcile the unquestionable circumstance that two bullets were fired I told you of the bullet mark I found on the upright In the rosary with the undoubted fact that only tons report was heard. We cm therefore presume either that Hartley Parrish first fired one shot from his pistol with the silencer fitted and then removed the silencer and fired another shot nithout it, "thereby killing bimsslf. or that the second ehot was fired by the person whose interest . It Waaila.get Jkt of Xho. 8 . a... silencer. There is no possible or plausible . reason why Parrish should have fired first one ehot with the silencer and ilfen one with-Tj- T out." Therefore, I find myself irresistibly compelled to the conclusion that the shot heard by Mary Trevert was fired by the per,son who killed Parrish.- - Do I make myself . clear? , Perfectly." answered Bruce. , "Now,-then,'he barrister proceeded. t1 thoughtfully puffing at his pipe, one weak point about my deductions is that they sll hang on the question as to whether, at the time of the tragedy. Parrish actually had the silencer on his pistol or pot. That la really the acid test of Mandertons suicide theory. " Tou said, I think, that a rifle fired with the silencer attachments makes no more noise than the sound of a loud aneese. Thats right," agreed Bruce, "a sort of harsh, spluttering noise. Not so loud, either. Like that! Robin. Ph 'Loud enough to be heard through a door, would yoq say? " , Tou mustnt go without tea, said the girL " Besides, she glanced at a little platinum watch on her w rist " theres not another train Until six. There is no need for you to start yet. Besides. I dont like being left alone. Mother has one of her headaches and Horace and Dr. Romaln have gone to Stevenish. 'Come up to my sitting room! " She led tha way out of the library, locking the door behind them, and together they went up to tha Chinese boudoir, where tea was laid on a low table before a bright fire. In the dainty room with its bright Colors they seemed far removed from the tragedy which had darkened Harkings. They had finished tea when a tap came at the door. Bude appeared. He cast a reproachful lopk at Bruce. "Jay .would be glad to have a word with you, Mias,? he said. The girl excused herself and left the room. She was absent for about ten minutes. When she returned she bad a little furrow of perplexity between her brows. She walked over to the open fireplace and stood silent for an Instant, her foot tapping the hearthrug. Mr. Wright," she said presently, ? Tm going to tell you something that Jay has Just . ." told me. I want your advice. The boy looked at her Interrogatively. But he did not apeak. I think this la rather important," the girl went on, but I dont quite understand in what way It is. Jay tella me that Mr. Par There are three of them now. he eaid. Something! to mind yourself, if it's not too late already" rish had on his pistol a sort of steel fitting at"Why not? tached to the end . . . you know, the Jay looked at Mary Trevert "Well, sir, I thought perhaps Id better part you shoot out of. Mr. Parrish used to tell Miss Trevert first. Bude thought so, too. keep his automatic in a drawer in his dressing room and Jay has often seen tt there with --That there Manderton has made so muchj this attachment fltted on. Well.whcn Mr. unpleasantness in the house with his prying Parrish was discovered in tho library yesterways that I said to myself, sir. Bruce Wright looked at Mary. day this thing was no longer on the pistol. And Jay says its not to be found! . . . " Would you mind if I asked Jay not to commented Thats rather strange! eay anything about this to anybody Just for the present? ' he asked. Tou hear what Mr. Wright says. Jay, said Mary. " I dont want you to say anything about this matter Just yet. .Do you understand? Tes, Miss. WiU that be all. Miss? " Bruce. But w hat was this steel contraption for, do you know? Was it a patent sight or something? Jay doesnt know, answered the girl. "Would jou mind if I spoke to Jay myasked the young man. In reply the girl touched the bell beside the fireplace. Bude answered the summons and a as dispatched to find Jay. He appeared in due course, a tall, dark, slock young man wearing a swallow tail coat and striped trou1 self? Tes, Jay. sir," answered tbs valet and left the room. Hardly had the door closed on him than the girl turned eagerly to Bruce. It Is important?" she asked. It may be, was the guarded reply. Dont leave me in the dark like this." This horrible affair goes (he girl pleaded. on growing and growing and at every step it seems more bewildering . . . more ghastly. Tell me where it is leading, Mr. Wrigbt! I can't stand the suspense much more! He voice broke and she turned hy face gun-met- ..."dont know what it was for? And you No, sir! Was it a sight, do you think? a wav. Tou must be brave. Miss Trevert," said the boy, putting his hand on her shoulder. " Don't ask me to tell you more now. Tour I cant say, Im sure, sir! Tou know what a sight look like. I suppose. Was there a bead on it or anything like that? I can't say Im sure, sir. I never gave sny particular heed to it. I used to see the automatic lying in the drawer of the ward- ..." r robe in Mr. Parrishs room in a ' case. I noticed this steel appliance, sir, because the case wouldn't shut over the pistol with it on, and the butt used to stick out. When did you last notice Mr. Parrish's wash-leathe- automatic? It would be Thursday or Friday, sir. I went to that drawer to get Mr. Parrish an oidstockJa friends are working to get at ths truth. " The truth! cried the girl. " God knows - where the truth will lead ua! Bruce Wright hesitated a moment " I dont think you have any need to fear the truth! he said presently. The girl took her handkerchief from her face and looked at him with brimming eyes. " Tou know more than you let me think you did, she said brokenly. "But you are . a friend of mine, arent you? " "Tea." said Bruce, and added boldly: And of this, too" again, but gave him hand. He clasped It and went out hurriedly to catch his train back to London. That faithful servitor of Fleet Street, the Law Courts clock, had Just finished striking seven. It boomed out the hour, stroke by stroke, solemnly, inexorably, like a grim old Judge summing up and driving home, point by point, an irrefutable charge. The heavy strokes broke In upon the fitful doze into which Robin Greve, stretched out in an armchair in his living room, had dropped. He roused up with a start. There was the click of a key in tho lock of his front Hoor. Bt.uce Wright burst into the room. " The boy shut the door quickly and locked it. He was rather pale and seemed perturbed. On seeing Robin be Jerked his head in the direction of the courtyard. . " I suppose you know theyre still outride? he said. ' Robin nodded nonchalantly. "There are three of them now," the .boy 's went on. Robin, I dont like it. going to happen. TouIl want to mind if its not too late already! " yourself He stepped across to the window and, bending down, peered cautiously round the curtain. Robin Greve laughed. Bah! " he said. " They can't touch me! Toure wrong," Bruce retorted without changing his position. They can and they wilL Don't think Manderton is a fool, Robin. He means mischief. . , , " Robin raised hia eyebrows. ' be bad bought were stiff and hurt him." "And this steel cup was on the pistol then? " O. yes. sir! "And you say it was not on the pistol when Mr. Parrish's body was found? No, sir! Are you surs of this Tes, sir. I was one of the first room and I aaw the pistol in Mr. Parrish's hand and there was no sign of the cup. sir. So Ive had a good look among his things and I cant find It anywhere! Bruce Wright pondered a minute. "Try and think. Jay, he said, if you ln-t- he cant remember anything more about this steel cup, as you call it Where did Mr, Parrish buy it?" Cant say, Im sure, sir. - Ho had It before ever I took service with him!? Jay put hla hand to hia forehead for an instant. Now I come to think of it, be said, " there was the name of tho shop or the maker on it, stamped on the steel. Maxim,' that was the name, now I put my mind back, with a number. . . "Maxim?" echoed Bruce Wright. "Did you say Maxim? "Tes, Sir! That was the name! replied tha valet impassively. "By Jove!" said ths boy half to himself. Then he said aloud to Jay: Did you toll the police about this? Jay looked somewhat uncomfortable. "No, iri you. though! " " I quite understand, sers. How are you, Jay? said Bruce affably. Very well, tljank you, sir," replied the" valet. Mis Trevert was telling me about this appliance which you say Mr. Parrish had on. his automatic. Could you describe it to me? Well, air," answered the man rather haltingly, it was a little sort of cup made of steel or fitting closely over the barrel. thank Thanks very much. Jay." said the boy. This may be important. Mum's the word, -- , J Some-'thing- ... going to happen. Youll vent Does he? hs said. " Now I wonder who told you that . . " Friends of yours at Harkings asked ms to warn you . , began Brucs awkwardly. My friends are scarcely in the majority there, retorted Robin. " Whom do you mean exactly?" But the - boy Ignored the quest ion. Three men watching the house! he claimed. Dont you think this looks ex- as though Manderton meant business?" He returned to hia post of observation at the curtain. Robin laughed cynically. Manderton doesnt worry me any," he said cheerfully. "The man's the victim of an idee fixe. He believes Parrish killed himself Just as firmly as he believes that I frightened or bullied Parrish into doing it . . " Don't be too sure about that, Robin," said the boy, dropping tho curtain and coming back to Robin's chair. " He may want you to think that. But how can we tell how much he knows? " Robin flicked the ash off his cigarette disdainfully. These promoted policemen make ms tired " he said. Bruce Wrigbt shook hla head quickly with a little gesture of exasperation. "Tou don't understand," he said. " Theres freah evidence. . . . " Robin Greve looked up with real Interest in his eyes. His bantering manner had vanished. " Tou've got that letter?" he asked eagerly, Bruce shook hia bead. " No. not that," he said. Then, leaning forward, he added in a low voice: "Have you ever heard of the Maxim si- lencer?" I believe I have, vaguely," replied Robin. " Isnt it something to do with a motor en- gine? " " No, said Bruce. " It's an extraordinary invention which absolutely suppresses tha noise of the discharge of a gun." Robin shot a quick glance at the speakers. Its a marvelous thing, really," the boy continued, warming to his theme. " A'mtn at Havre bad one when I was st the bate there, during the war. Its a little steel fitting that goes over the barrel. Tou can fire a rifle fitted with one of these In a small room and it makes no mors noise than a fairly loud sneese. Ah!" Robin was listening intently now. "Parriah had a Maxim silencer." Bruce went on. impressively. d ..." Parrish had?" left" - Robin shook his heed dubiously. " If the servants know It Manderton will worm It out them. Hasnt h Ined Jay? " But he got nothing Tes," aald Bruce. sut of him about this. Manderton seems to have put everybody's back up. He gets nothing out of the servants. , , " If Parrish had had this silencer for some may be sure that other people time, ' know you about It. These silencers must be pretty rare in England. Tou see, an average person like myself didnt know wbst it was. ' By the way, another point which we havent yet cleared up is this, i Supposing we are right in believing Parrish to have been murdered, how do you explain the fact that the bullet rsmoved from hla body fitted his pistol? " " Thats a puzzler, I must say! " said Bruce. Theres only one possible explanation, I think, Robin went on. and that Is that Parrish wag shot by a pistol of exactly the same caliber aa his own. For the murderer 0 to Vave killed Parrish with his own weapon would have been difficult without a struggle. But Miss Trevert heard no struggle. For murderer and his victim to have pistols of the same caliber argues a rather remarkable coincidence, I great you. But then life Is fun of coincidences! W meet them every day in the law. Though, I admit, this Is a- ,, coincidence - which requires soma explain- -- jf cross-exam- -- ing. He fell Into a brown study which Bruoa interrupted by suddenly remembering that hs had bad no lunch. For answer Robin pointed at the sideboard. " Theres a cloth In there," he said, also the whisky, if my laundress has left say, sad a siphon, and there should be some claret Mrs. Bragg doeenT care about red wine. Bet the table and I'll take a root round In the kitchen and dig up soma tinned stuff." They supped off a tinned tongue and aoma phtd da foie gras. Over their meal Bruce told Robla. cf hi adventure in tha library at Harkings. "Jeekes must have collected that letter. Bruce said. Before I came to you I went to Lincolns Inn Fields to see If he was stiU at Bardye Parrishs solicitor, you know. But the office was closed sad the place in dark-- ' nets. I went on to the Junior Pantheon ' that's Jeekes club but he wasnt in. He hanT been there all day, the porter told me. So Kleft a note asking him to ring you up here. " The case reeks of blackmail." said Robin thoughtfully, "but I am wondering how much we shall glean from this precious letter when we do see it. I am glad you asked Jeekee to ring me up, though. He should be abla to tell us something about these mysterious letters on tbs blue paper that used te put Parrish in such a stew. Hullo, who can that be? " An electric bell thrilled through the fist, . twice and then It rang once" a third time, a long, insistent peek "See who's there, will you, Bruce?" said ..." ... ... V . Robin. Leta firat find out whether Mary actually heard the muffled shot and, it oo. . before or the loud rewhen port. Ho glanced serose st the window and thtn at Bruce. "I suppose this discovery shout the silencer la responsible for the deputation waiting In the courtyard." he said, drily. re" The polios dont know about it yet. plied Bruce. "At least, they didnt when I It was fitted on his automatic piriol, the ene he had in his hand when they found him. . . ." "There was no attachment of any kind on the gun Parrish was holding when he was discovered yesterday afternoon," declared Robin, positively. " I can vouch for that. I was there almost Immediately after they found him. And if there had been anything of the kind Horace Trevert would certainly have mentioned it. " I know. Jey. who came In soon after r Robin. " Suppose its ths police , , ? " began you, was surprised to see that the silencer the hoy. was not on tho pistol. And hs made a point Robin shrugged his shoulders. of looking for it . . "Tou can say I'm St homo and ask them " But how do you kncthat Parrish had it on the pistol? " In," he said. He heard the heavy oaken door swing open, . Well, we dont know for certain- - But-w- e a murmur of voices in the h&U. Tha next do know that it waa permanently fitted moment Detective 'Inspector Manderton ento his automatic. Jay has often seen it And if Parrish did remove It he didnt leave it tered the sitting room. (To be MstbnedJ lying about anywhere. Jay has looked ail , , tCoorrifhl: 151: By Tha Cbloge Tribune. through his things without finding it, , ..." -- |