Trent's Last Case

hone on Sir James Molloy's table buzzed. Sir James made a motion with his pen,

er, is it?... Yes, but... I know, but he's fearfully busy this afternoo

' he said concisely. 'He insists on speaking to you personally. Says it is the gravest piece of n

him, saw a look of amazement and horror. 'Good God!' murmured Sir James. Clutching the instrument, he slowly rose to his feet, still bending ear intently. At intervals he repeated 'Yes.' Presen

well-dressed appearance there was something a little sinister when anger or intense occupation put its imprint about his eyes and brow; but when his generous nature was under no restraint he was the most cordial of men. He was managing director of the company which owned that most powerful morning paper, the Record, and also that most indispensable evening paper, the Sun, which had its offices on the other side of the st

are; but the servants? Surely it's all over the place down there by now.... Well, we'll have a try.... Look here, Bunner, I'm infinitely obliged to you about this. I

a rapid consultation of this oracle, he flung it down with a forcible word as Mr. Silver hurrie

on, 'go and tell Jones to wire our local correspondent very urgently, to drop everything and get down to Marlstone at once. He is not to say why in the telegram. There must not be an unnecessary word about this news until the Sun is on the streets with it-you all understand. Williams, cut across the way and tell Mr. Anthony to hold himself ready for a two-column opening that will knock the town endways. Just tell him th

ear Bishopsbridge. He bought it four years ago. He and Mrs. Manderson have since spent a part of each summer there. Last night he went to bed about half-past eleven, just as usual. No one knows when he got up and left the house. He was not missed until this morning. About ten o'clock his body was found by a gardener. It was lying by a shed in the grounds. He was shot in the head, through the left eye. Death must have been instantaneous. The body

ves at Scotland Yard,' he suggested, 'has been p

ke,' said

nderson? Was

hat abo

hinted the reporter, 'and s

nce while the dictation was going on. 'I have seen Mrs. Manderson,' she proceeded, turning to Sir James. 'She looks quite healthy and intellige

tary smile. Her imperturbable efficiency was an office proverb. 'Cut i

difficulty. I remember it was a very good sketch, and they won't be able to carry much more than that. As for our paper, of course we have a great quantity of cuttings, mostly rubbish. The sub-editors shall have them as soon as they come in. Then we have two very good portraits that are our own property; the best is a drawing Mr. Trent made when they were both on t

w?' he enquired dejectedly of Mr. Silver, who had ret

ir of patience. 'Is there anything else?

d mistake some time, Miss Morgan-an everlasting bloomer-just to put us in countenance.' S

ilding in person; the atmosphere of an evening paper, he would say, was all very well if you liked that kind of thing. Mr. Anthony, the Mura

y came in to say that Mr. Trent was on the wire. S

through at once,'

nto the telephone a

nt replied, 'Hullo be b

lloy,' said

dle of painting a picture, and he has been interrupted at a crit

sively, 'it is important. I wa

y. The working fit is very strong. I am doing some really decent things. Why

appened at his place near Bishopsbridge.' Sir James proceeded to tell his hearer, briefly and clearly, the facts that he had communicat

ill go

s a brie

here?' sai

ooks interesting, but he may have been outed by some wretched tramp whom he found sleeping in the grounds and tried to kick out. It's the sort of thing he would do. Such a murderer might easily have sense enough to

feeble. Admit you want to go and have a look at the case. You know you do. If it's a

replied the voice irresolutely, 'an

within an hour?' p

he voice grumbled. '

only good train of the day went half an hour ago. The next is a slow one, leaving Paddington at midnight. You could have the Bu

e fond of railway travelling, you know; I have a gift for it. I

that y

it continued, 'will your people look out a hotel n

James. 'Come here

ked to the open window. A band of excited boys was rushing down the steps of the Sun building and up the narrow th

SIGSBEE

pockets cheerfully. 'It makes a good bill,' he

Manderson