The Strange Case of Mortimer Fenley

tes Some Fac

nc

n accompanying Trenholme was inspired by a sudden interest in art or by revolt against the tribulations which had befallen her. Of course there is some probability that a full and true account of the conversation between man and maid as the

two were standing there, discussing the crime, when Police Constable Farrow returned to his post. Furneaux said nothing-for some reason he did not emphasize the fact to his

, Farrow saluted, and

of this, sir," he sai

eaux

venue 6.47 p. m. The two held close conversation, and went off together across park in directi

said Furneaux, returning the book. The policeman grinned. As between

d to give more heed to the manner of his father's death. At first, his manner to Furneaux had been churlish in the extreme. Evidently he thought h

I was saying, Mr. Fenley, undoubtedly the shot was fired from this locality. Dr. Stern, who is an authority on bullet wounds, is convinced of that,

d Fenley eyed the ground critically. He deemed those

have been made. That is why the policeman is keeping an eye on the

de. "Why in the world should any one want to shoot my poor old guv'nor? He was s

which bore the impress of Robert Fenley's boots. "By the way," he said suddenly, "are you a

her rage or astonishment predominated in his voice. "

fle, which you keep in your s

ways is. Standing in a co

see it last,

rough with an oiled rag about once a month.

has

e wh

sh I

devil could h

ngster. He was a slow-witted lout, but the veriest dullard must have perceived that the disa

and gazed blankly into the serious face of the detective. Furneaux knew he would do that. It

new set of footprints by the side of the others already a

ux slowly, moistening his thin lips with his tongue as if h

ley, that you can prove you were in London at the time the murder was committed, and during some days prior to it, but the police like these matters to be cleared up; if I may give you a hint, you'll tell the

e trouble in the family if my brother starts bossing things. He hates me, and woul

se. He kept your name

hen? I have a

s who heard the report, and who were able to discriminate between one class of gun and another. Anyhow, there is no occasi

nley when Furneaux turned and rent him in this fashion. Hitherto the detective's m

otest. "I don't allow any of you fe

f idiot you are. Though your last words to your father were a threat that you were inclined to shoot him and your precious self, when you saw him lying de

household because your brother acts as its master. Why shouldn't he? Are you fitted to take the reins or share his responsibility? If you were

ve had gone mad, though the reference to Hendon Road had st

n, but Furneaux check

t that my colleague and I were on the spot this morning it is more than likely that the county police would have arrested you at sight. Don't give us any more trouble, or you'll be left to stew in your own ju

alk with Sylvia in the garden. He had watched the two from a window of the dining-room, and had read correctly the girl's ill-concealed scorn, not quite devoid of dread, as revealed by face and ge

Robert Fenley's dull brain dwelt on the significance of that address in Battersea being known to the police, the less ready would he be to stir a hornets' nest into activity by showing his resen

for having permitted Trenholme to make known his presence to Miss Manning. The man, however, protested that he had done nothing of the sort. Miss Sylvia had been called to the lodge telephone, and the footman's acquaintance with the facts went

ngrily. "He actually had the impertinence to ask Miss Manning to meet him, no doubt offering some plausible yarn as an excuse. I hope you'll

right with Miss Manning

, sir?" Fenley could snarl effectively when in the mood, and none mi

son to whom he owes an explanati

indly be mo

stioner to Winter, his face one note of

ys," he cried. "As a rule I contrive to be tolerably lucid in my re

was Robert's non-

r did not reply, but Furne

killed," he said. "Fortunately, he was there before and after the shot was fired. He can prove, almost to a yard, the lo

iancy and light of a David Cox, but another, in oil, is a positive masterpiece. It must have been done in a few minutes, because Miss Manning did not know he

of Sylvia bathing?" broke in Robe

e speaking of a painter of transcen

I'll give him a d

tall and st

how big he is,

information. Why should Mr. Trenholme, if that is his name, have the audacity to call on Miss Manning? He might have the impud

d. Evidently the point

e is often endowed with a very high moral sense. Mr. Trenholme, though carried away by enthusiasm this morning, may be consumed

es before the courts. I was bound to point out that the drawings supplied his solitary excuse for being in the locality at all. He saw that-unwillingly, it is true, but with painful clearness-so I assume that his visit to Miss Manni

man, for the whole conversation had taken place in

iss Sylvia meet the gentleman, and after some

follow and restrain the younger Fenley; but Furneaux caught his eye and winked. That sufficed. The Superintendent contented himself with gazing a

olio bulging with papers, some of which he had placed there when Winter opened the door of the railway co

has been today," he said at last. "I hope he will not engage in a vulga

amusement revealed itself. Furneaux could not resist such an opportunity. He

bert Fenley would meet more than his match in our artist friend, while he would certainly undo al

ung aroun

her return from L

lled in the gardens. I don't wonder at any artist wishing to sketch Miss Manning? Do y

ny progress in the particular inq

e, since the innuendo was unmistakable. Apparently Fu

ery reason to believe that Mr. Winter and I w

d Yard. I am going to my rooms now, and dine at a quarter to eight. About nine o'clock I wish to go into matters thoroughly with Mr. Winter a

the stairs. Furneaux continued to gaze blankly down the long, straight avenue, nor did h

he

ry hard to please,"

koned to t

e can come here for a moment?" he said

g everybody's fur th

ats we may see sparks, and each of those yo

t we are any nearer laying hands on a murderer because we have unearthed various little scandals

playing with Robert Fenley. If that young ass attacks him he'll get

ns! Here's Tomlinson. Quick!

of understanding plain English. Now, my friend Tomlinson will show you what I mean. I'll ask him a simple question, an

d the butler, smiling at what he r

dly. "Ain't I a prophet? No evas

his suitcase. "If I'm to stay here tonight, I shall

test sleeper living. Our friend here is sure t

t room is unoccupie

re i

floor, sir,

hers saw a policeman bicycling up the avenue, with a small portmanteau bala

oom, I hope?" said Tomlinson, wh

the family circle, at

aring the meal with you, but dinner will be served at a quarter to eight. Mr. Furneaux knows his way about the house, so,

aux, when the door had closed

t. For the first time in his life he felt distrustful of himself, and he suspected

ired the other softly. "Are you still won

a tuppenny dam

at's where you're crass and pig-he

, and let it

those are words of merit. Wedge, arch-wedges of fact which shall construct the arch o

edroom and in the Quarry Wood, four hundre

his friend's forehead, pre

thout any semblance of thought process on your part. How do you manage it! Is it through association with me? You know, there's such a thing as

ur far-fetched jokes just now; so if you have nothing

, down to the smallest detail. He wore Brother Robert's boots when available; from appearances Brother Robert is now wearing the identical pair which made those footprints we saw, but I shall know in the morning, for that fiery young sprig obligingly left another well-marked set

why he wanted it. During some mornings recently Hilton Fenley breakfasted early and went out, but invariably had an excuse for not accompanying his father to the City. He was then studying the details of

rt, and Hilton blundered badly when he made those careful imprints of his brother's feet, as the weather has been fine recently, and the only mud in this locality lies in that hollow of the Qu

the housem

f a cat, with all a cat's fiendish brutality. He could plan and carry out a callous crime and lay a subtle trail which must lead to that cry baby, Robert, but he was unable to control his e

said Winter

and affected to

s quite soft-hearted. For instance, Police Constable Farrow, though preening himself on being the pivot on which this case revolves, was much affected by Hilton Fenley's first heart-broken words to him. 'Poor young gentleman,' said Farrow,

tor had not arrived. There had been only a superficial examination by Tomlinson of the orifice of the wound. What other mind in Roxton would picture to itself the havoc caused by an expanding bullet? The man who uttered those words

se, we'll assist him. We'll make certain he doesn't deviate or falter on the road. But he'll follow it, and of his own acc

oftly. Then he lo

ed half past s

erintendent a little bit, and he'll enjoy his dinner far better than he thought possible ten minutes ago. Sacré nom d'une pi