The Holladay Case

onsieur

spectacular, and appealed to the press with peculiar force, since one of the principal victims had been the eldest son of Preston McLandberg, the veteran managing editor of the Record, and the bringing of the suit impugned the honor of his family-but it is still too fresh in the public mind to need recapitulation he

g it was Mrs. Fitch, my land

its crown of gray hair, which appeared in the doo

the short, square figure stepped over the threshold into the full light, "but I have just d

ld out to him my case, which wa

d forward and saw me more distinctly, he uttered a l

ded, seeing th

good fortune which brought me to this house. So lonely one grows at time

I waved toward a

u will pardon me," and he dis

e placed on the table. Then he drew up a chair. With a little de

e said, catching my smile; "a

cigarette; then they wandered to his face-to the black hair flecked here and there with gray; to the bright, deep-set eyes, ambushed under heavy brows; to the full lips, which the carefu

rawn deep into his lungs. "My name is Martigny-Jasper Martigny"-I nodded by way of salutation-"and I am f

u been living in

is my intention to establis

for three years. Then you go before a court and make a declarati

tated, "that it tak

' actual re

ted again, "I had un

of course; but you can scarcely expect me t

s hand in disclaimer. "I did not know-it makes n

ette, lit it from the othe

finished, and I presently found myself enjoying the best

ough to enjo

led a somewhat tattered volume from his pocket. "I have read it, oh, ver' many

ould see the title. It

it in Engli

ection. That is why I was so absorbed in that affair of Mees-M

lladay,"

hat mystery ever ar

, we haven't any Monsieur Le

-in her I conceived a great interest, ev

said. "She's gone out to her country-place to

ng it carelessly, with his face half-turned aw

should be most sad to think otherwise. But it is late; I

. "I hope you'll come in

tation. My apartment is just across the hall," he add

d heartily, and ba

been his home, with a wit to which his slight accent and formal utterance gave new point; he displayed a kindly interest in my plans which was very pleasing; he was always tactful, courteous, good-humored. He was plainly a boulevardier, a man of the world, with an outlook upon life a little startling in its materiality, but interesting in its freshness, and often a

life easily. I have a weakness of the heart, which has already given me much trouble. Besides, I have your compan

," I said. "She is still a

er I take such an interest-you

e? But y

you-have you made any-what y

n the newspapers-the illegitimate daughter theory.

lieve it was a murder simply because it so appeared? Has it occurred to you that Mees Holladay t

it were an accident, how would that explain his daughter's rushing from the building without trying to save him, without givi

ows that you have given to the case much thought. I believe that you also have a fo

ed, "until this case came up, but t

doubtfully, not q

should like to take a hand at solving it-though, of cour

glance, then lighte

you to solve it," he asked,

ind the myste

attempted that and failed," he o

striking me as a little more earnest than the occasion de

is not in the least expected

t help it, sometimes; some cases demand more or less detective

oo fond of the newspapers, of posing before the

Martigny," I said, "that I hav

I still find it sometimes very difficult to understand you Americans-you speak so much more rapidly than the En

t is the very thing we co

by well-defined laws which each

himself. Remember, it i

ense, is it not?" he add

easant evenings together, and I looked forward to them with considerable anticipation. He was interesting in himself-entertaining, with that large tolerance and good humor which I have already men

and we had just opened the office, when a cl

once, sir," he said. "He says his name's Thompso

in his excitement; then he controlled

is eagerness. Not until that moment had I noticed how the past week had aged him and worn him

of about sixty entered. He was fairly gasping for

anded Mr. Royce, "wha

way with, sir! She left town just ten days ago for Belair, where we