The Stowmarket Mystery

Ko-K

Table of

han addressing his compa

He met and spoke with Alan Hume-Frazer that afternoon. The result was unsatisfactory. The stranger resolved to visit him again at night-the night of th

is so," bro

, and the detective shook his head t

ew everybody else. He could not enter the library of the Hall, b

te both men wit

they an

r man was in the room! Did he fear the consequences if he were caught? I think not. He succeeded in his object, and went off, but before he reached the gates he saw Miss Layton, whom he did not know, talking to the baronet. He secreted himself until the baronet entered the park alone. For some reason, he made his presence known, and walked with Sir Alan to the lawn outside the window, still retaining in his hand the small knife used to prise open the lock. There was a short and vehement dispute. Possibly the baronet guessed the object of this unexpected appearance. There may have been a struggle. Then the knife was sent home, with suc

ector di

rett," he said doggedly, "but I'm ble

uld not live in Sleagill, where even the village dogs would suspect him. But the addle-headed police, ready to handcuff David Hume, never thought of inquiring about strangers who came and went at Stowmarket in those days. Stowmarket

ly, "though I nev

Winter, start out. Ascertain, in each hotel in the town, if they had any strange guests about the period of the murder. There is a remote chance that yo

rive back to Sleagill for an hour before dinner, was sarcastically advised to go a good deal f

rds, enveloped in smoke. Once

iter

g-case, marked 'R.B.' Run! I give you twenty seconds.

corridor, much to the amazement of a passing cha

e law of equity you are e

he gaping waiter out of the room,

an that," said the

such fashion. Why, you wouldn't

servation." With tilted nose the m

and get me a horse and trap. If they are rea

iter, as he flew downstairs, "this is co

and took from it the bo

ncluding notes. "I thought so. Here is what I

arket to learn what, if any, stranger

e pursued with reference to Margaret

ceived any visitors on the day of the murder or

ppears to be too small to be used as a dagger. In any case, the sword scabbard

n is still at the Hall? Th

for dinner, and the adroit detective, not to be beaten, borrowed a dress

scrupulously refrained from discussing business

nd cigars when a waiter entered and wh

is here," exc

Tell him

go into the hotel garden, after donning overcoats and deer-stalker hats, for Hu

to bring the poacher towards them, after asking him to pick out the man who

essful. "Rabbit Jack"

sself or his dead spit,"

sel as to the incident, and he went away t

om, Winter related the outcome of

g to old lodgers, but they one and all united in the opinion that New Yea

a wild-goose chase from

go you produced a man who actually watched the

his wits for a suitable argu

s Fergus

echcroft, the old man wrote and said he could not take orders from an Italian. It was l

on. He may be very useful. I understand

an and boy, a

tel. I will not keep him long; just one conversation-no more.

. Admiral C

," broke in Winter. "I got to kn

pray, is M

e curious fact that a murder in a little English village should be committed with such a weapon, so he came do

rprising. What did he t

ve produced

uicide if he was beaten or disgraced. The sword Mr. Hume gave his cousin was a short one, and the knife which accompanied it is called the Ko-Katana, or little sword. As well as I could understand Mr.

. card,

against the P.C.'s," growle

t one yourself. Please continue, Wi

like to see the Ko-Katan

Where

at Scotland Yard. I

urther information from him on this curious topic, can you find him? You say he indu

t he was an independent gentleman, noted for his art tastes. Th

is skilled assistance. Was there a

in some way, but I

the handle, of polished gun-metal, bore a beautiful embossed design i

" said the detective. "The same thin

Like the other pieces in the puzzle, it seemed to ha

one distinguish it from the rising sun i

beastly thing to him because he became interested in Jap

we chance to come across him. Don't forget, Winter, I want

laughed. "Hele

ther p

ce to drive out in that dire

were not at

s. I am at

shall meet the young lady on every possi

d. You do not leav

f importance-bearing up

r to pick up any village gossip about the people at the Hall, and let us

you. A great deal may ha

d entered. He hande

e," said Da

perused a short note, which

ondon by an early train to-morrow. Jane 'walks out' with Mr. Capella's valet, and is in tears. Tell Mr

love,

LLI

uired Hume from the waiter a

Sleagill, si

t in the tap-room at my exp

ge?" he as

ar that Jane is in tears. Ask her-Miss Layton-to get Jane to

hy

o by an earlier o

me! Confound i

my dear fellow. But come to town to-mor

that dress suit, and Hume seemed to have quickly