The Childerbridge Mystery

and drove to the hotel they had selected, a private establishment leading out of Piccadilly. Terence's amazement at the size of London was curious t

ed the pavements, and the interminable streets, his heart misgave hi

can there be in London?" he aske

lions," Jim replied. "It

"I guess it would be easier to find a scrubber in the mallee

nd him somehow," said Jim. "T

e eating-house to which Murbridge had been traced after his arrival at Paddington Station. They accordingly made their way to the house in question. It proved to be an uninviting place, with a sawdust-covered floor, and half-a-dozen small

asked, as he removed the frying-p

wer voice he added: "I stand in need of some information which I have been told you are in a position to supply.

e man replied civilly enough. "That is to say, if it is in

t of it. It was very dirty and redolent of onions and bad tobacco. Its furniture was scanty, and comprised a table, covered with American cloth, a cupboard, and two w

in't a-goin' to vote for either party. There was a young wagabond that I engaged the other day. He had had a Board School edecation, and it had taught him enough to be able to humbug me with his takings. T

e you remember the police visiting you a short time since, with regard to a man who was

Did I know where he had gone? What was he like? Till with one thing and another I was most driven off my head. I won't say as how a detective oughtn't to ask questions, because we all know it's his duty, but when it comes to interferin' with a man'

"In the first place, I am not a detective, bu

Now that makes all the difference. It's only fit and proper that a young gentleman should want to find out the man who, s

ow you became aware that the man in question hailed fro

s meal, my girl was giving him 'is change, I saw there was a Childerbridge label on the small bag he car

. And he answered to th

sort of dress, snarly manner of speaki

You informed the police, did you not, that you had no

pon the cover of the table. It was evident that he was keeping something back, and w

acter few people would have supposed him to possess, took from hi

Now, that money is yours whether you tell me or not. If it is likely to affect your happ

, round about here in this neighbourhood, a man has to be careful of what he says and does. Suppose it was to come to the ears of some people that it was me as gave the information

iculty, but you may be quite sure that I will not mention yo

os they didn't treat me any too well. But this is what I do know, sir. As he went out of the door he asked my little boy, Tommy

made a note of the name in his pocket-b

ong this street, then take the third turning to your left an

t?" Jim enquired. "I mean, what

know to the contrary, it's a fairish sort of street, not so fust-class as

have anything else t

haven't set eyes on him from that blessed mom

m, rising and putting his pocket-book aw

man. "I am always ready to do anything I can fo

as in the shop once more, and was making his wa

t for us to do? If I go to Great Medlum Street, it is more than likely that Murbridge will see

d in question. A note was accordingly despatched to the authorities at Scotland Yard. In it James informed them that it had come to his knowledge that the man Murbr

r?" James asked when t

n answered, "and act

th what

eet two days ago. Up to that time he had lodged at number eighteen. The landlady informs me that she knows nothing as to

certain that

nk he was in the possession of much money. As a matter of fact, she suspected that he had been pawning his clothes, for the reason that his bag, which was comparatively heavy when he arrived, seem

wned several articles, but in no case were the proprietors able to furnish any information concerning his present whereabouts. Feeling that it was just possible, as in the case of the eating-house keeper near Paddington Station, that th

erson of Irish descent. She looked her visitors up and down before admitti

im blandly. "My friend and I have come t

e, but that would not do. He wanted to know where he had gone, and when and why he had left, just for all the world as if he was his long-lost brother. Then this morning another comes. Wanted to know if I knew where Mr. Melbrook pawned his

"and if you can put me into the possession of any information that will

g of him. He may have gone back to America-if he was an American as they say-but there, he may be anywhere. He was one of them sort of men that says nothing about his business; he just

oman's willing hand, and bade her good-day. Then, more dispirited by his failure than

or you," she said. "I

envelope, and withdrew the message. I

track-will report

patched from Wa

s going?" said Jim testily, "in

more to report, I suppose," said Alice. "Do not worry your

anything to have accompanied the detective in his search. He went to bed at an early hour, to dream that he was chasing Murbridge round the world, and do what he would he could not come up with him. Next day there was no news, and it was not until the middle of th

t you have not met with an

ain, and that the man had left for Southampton that morning, intending to catch the out-going boat for South Africa. Procuring a cab, I set off for Waterloo, and on my arrival there sent that telegram to you, sir, and then went down to Southampton by the next train. Unfortunately the two hours' delay had given him his chance, for when I reached Southampton it was only to find that the vessel had sailed half-an-hour before. I went at once to th

ira then. The vessel does not touc

shook h

on't mind. I've had a long day of it, and I'm tired. To-morrow morning I've got to be a

girl who had promised to be his wife, and who, at the moment, was probably thinking of him in the quiet little Midlandshire village. How delightful life would be when she would be his wife. He tried to picture himself in the capacity of Helen's husband. From Helen his thoughts turned to Murbridge, and he tried to imagi

illy. Just as they reached the Criterion Theatre, a man stepped from the pavement, and began to cross the road. Had not the cabman sharply pulled his horse to one side, nothing could have saved him from being knocked down. So near a thing was it that Jim sprang to his feet, and threw open the apron, feeling sure t

as Richard