The Silver Bullet

fire, the S

post unto

l catches the sunlight, and glows in the centre of Saxham, a veritable pillar of fire. Those natives who have emigrated, enlisted as soldiers, taken situations

eorminster. As the city, like that one mentioned in the Bible, is set upon a hill, the twin towers of the cathedral and Bishop Gandolf's spire can easily be seen from Saxham. But the villagers prefer their own spire and their own parson,

Irongrip the manufacturing town; almost in sight of Marleigh and Heathcroft. Then sixteen miles across Southberry Heath (which Herrick and Joyce had so wearily trodden on the previous night) Southberry Junction roared with perpetual traffic for here, the great main line tapped the local railways which converged from all poin

urch in a nest of trees; on the other 'The Carr Arms' an inn of undoubted antiquity. The remaining two sides are occupied by rows of medi?val-looking houses, inhabited by those whom Saxham calls "the best people," by which is meant the tradesmen. There was no doctor or

that it was all Herrick could do to get him out of that ghastly mansion, and down to the inn. Dr. Jim, rousing the landlord, had told his story and after seeing Robin to bed, had turned in himself. What did it matter to him, that the great house was still a

nster waited to see him, the events of the night came back on his still drowsy brain with a rush. Thoroughly awakened, he promised to be down in half an hour, and forthwith tumbled into the largest cold bath Napper could provide. After a douche, and ten minutes' gymnastics, the Doctor hurried into

pair of twinklers, which belied the turned-down corners of his mouth. His movements were slow, his tone was brisk and businesslike. Rather a contradictory personality Herrick thought, and con

n, and this opinion being confirmed--in the Inspector's mind--by the sight of a signet ring, he treated him with more deference

ially. "I have come to see you about this m

icket. "Have you breakfasted Mr. Inspector? If not, or if you have--it reall

ees in his good opinion. "Napper can cater excellently," said

r the two were seated in a pleasant parlour before a well-spread table. Bridge performed wonders in the way of eating. How he could remain lean with such an appetite, was a wonder to Jim. But the doctor himself was not far behind, an

to attend to the inquest; and the relatives of the deceased had been notified. Then Mr. Inspector put Herrick through a stiff examination, and took down all he said. When the officer was quite satisfied and his note-book was full, Jim proceede

Colonel Carr?" asked Dr.

nded Gentry. But what you will not see," added Bridge with a dry cough, "is the name he was known by hereabo

d as though he had

the gentry, he would have been through my hands I can tell you. And to think of him being murdered. I a

rtly. "The revolver was in his hand. Looks like

s morning, and I say--murder. Certainly my examination was cursory. But if he had shot himself through the heart, the linen over it would have been scorched. There is no mark of pow

er, and replaced it. H'm! murder you say. And the assassin placed the revolver

s of enemies I can tell you. Whether man or woman, I do not know. But I'll tell you

e assassin knew that his

w," added Bridge meditatively

Who is he

as his master; San Francisco, he called himself, and that I take it is the name of a town

ise biography of Carr, I should b

can only say that the wicked Colonel returned here from foreign parts ten years ago. He built that tower, and shut himself up to l

he crime was not d

h at the side of the house. In that porch," added Bridge, "we have found two days provisions. To-day is Friday, l

r was alive

n that evening, and spoke ill of his master. Carr must have been alive then. If Frisco killed him, he woul

suspect anything, when they foun

vially. "The wicked Colonel was that que

seems likely that this man Frisco knows something of the mu

o sign of t

ut his ap

reflecting, "red hair and blue eyes, an American way of sp

What do

in South America. But I don't rightly know how. Frisco could be secre

the detectiv

eld. It takes place to-day at 'The Pines.' Yo

. If I were you though Mr. Inspector, I should certainly

to looking him up, I like to do things in an orderly manner. First

ed to be a strong suspicion against him. Men do not disappear without some reason; and as Frisco was gone, leaving a dead body behind him, it looked as though terror had winged his heels. His reasons could resolve the

h a glorious red; it resembled ruddy gold, and was wreathed in burnished coils round her well-shaped head. This young lady had eyes of a sapphire blue, and a firm-set mouth. Dressed in a navy serge plainly made, with a linen collar, a brown leathern belt, and gauntlet gloves, she looked trig and neat.

u," she said in a brisk but not unmusi

ss Endicotte," replied Bridge who seemed to know

onicle. Besides, poor Colonel Carr was my friend

y of the dead man. "There lives some soul of good in all things evil," he q

tation applies to him more than the gossip about him would lead you to suppose." Here she glanced at Bridge. Not so much t

e, "and this lady, doctor is Miss Bess Endicotte,

r he could not explain even to himself. However he bowed with a smile, and received the same courtesies in return. Miss Endicotte's eyes rested

fully, "you must tell me all about your discovery,-

copy of. My friend Mr. Joyce, who is at present upstairs asleep, is a

" said Miss Endicotte frankly. "M

ng. I am sorry to say that the terrible sight upset him. All the g

our?" asked Bridge who

last place we stopped at was Southberry. Then we crossed the Heath to s

a trifle. "I ha

is part of the country my dear lady. Have we m

taller and had dark hair," said Miss Endicott

mber now. The lady I saw talking to th

thberry, I remembered that she mentioned how you stared at

me rude," said Jim rather confus

med to admiration. But this is not business," she added tur

ards the door. "But I recommend you Miss Bess, to interview this gent

rned her sparkling eyes on Dr. Herrick. "I hope you won't thi

lacing a chair. "What is it yo

blithely, but then flushed, and stammered. "Please do not think me rude," she murmured, "in my presen

Jim laughing. "Do you object to my smoking?

rly. "I am used to it. My brother Fran

ick artfully, not that he wanted to meet the brother so much as

hrewdest of questions. All the same she appeared to be nervous at times, and Herrick guessed that it was the innately refined woman struggling wi

He lost his mother and fell ill--by the way you need not put that down Miss Endicotte. All you need let your readers know is, that Mr. Joyce and myself have been on a walking

anner that it would not trench upon Herrick's private affairs. Then he a

ad, "all I can say is that Colonel Carr was better than his reputation. From what I ca

murdered!" Herrick

to say that. It is a long story, and not very clear. If you remain in

ity at fever-heat with these hints, "he is ill I am afraid.

hall be at the i

if he is well enough. By the way Bridge menti

y live in the Bishop's Close at Beorminster. It will be a great sh

be at the

y ill. She caught cold a day or two ago, and i

rrick sententiously, "by the way, the

. He would not have killed him. I--I--" she suddenly shook her head, checked herself, and walked out