â- ^"W" T wmm mm by ACATHA G<RISTIE â- YVOFSXB. A parly of lidKli'"'". i;:illi'i <.l at llic i«nir of Mm. Wlllitt iitul lur ilBUttlilfr violet turnt^l to tabU- tipl'I'iK '"â- " a"!""'- iimt. Heiitfd iirounil th* tuble «*i>- Mr*, and Minn Wlllrtl, Mr. Vukr. Mr. n>criift who dubl)led In the i-Hyihlc, HonalU <!uiflrld and Major llurniiby. For l«o niontlm Ihe Wllletlii bad been M'l'upylnK Ibf bouBe of fnplaln Joarpb rr»\»lvan. who had liffn unable to re- lint an ofTrr of IS KulneHU a month rent uid bad taken u Bniall liou"r for hlm- <elf at K»ban)i>ton. »lx nillea dUtant. Major Iturmib), hln friend for yearn, K-rui'led one of the live i-ottageg Trevl- tan built on land near hU house. All Ihoar oeated at Ihe table were* tartled when a •â- pint" atated that faptain rrcvelyan had been murdered. Ilurnaby. worried, leaves and ftnda hla friend |*ad. A man named Janiea I'earaon •r Ix>ndon had registered at an Ex- kai'ipton hotel the afternoon of the mur. I«r, and taken the first train back to U>ndon early the followlnj mornlnc. VOW OO OV WXTM VMX STOmT. INSTLLMENT V. "Why shouldn't I B»y twenty-five ^t five that the CapUin w«b mur- tered?" Major Bumaby demanded truculently, "or twenty-five to six â€" >r twenty paat four, for that matter?" "Quite so, sir," said Inspector Nar- facott soothingly. He did not wish to anUgonize the major just at this moment. He prom- ised himself that he would get to the bottom of the matter before the day aas out. "There's one thing that strikes me u curious, sir," he went on. "Yes?" "This business of the letting of Sit- laford House. I don't know what you think about it, but it seems to me a juriouK tbing to have happened," "If you a.sk me," said Burnaby, "it'a xld, very odd." "Thai's your opinion?" "It'.s everyone's opinion." 'In Sittaford?" "In Sittaford and Exhnmpton, too. The woman must be mad." "Well, I suppose there's no account- ing for tastes," said the Inspector. "Very odd taste for a woman of Ihat kind." "You know the lady?" "I know her? Why I was at her house when " "When what?" askoii Narraiott as the major came to an abrupt halt. "Nothing," said Burnaby. Inspector Narracott looked at him keenly. There was something here hj would have liked to get at. The ma- jor's obvious confusion and embar- rassment did not escape him. He had been on the point of saying â€" what? "All in good time," said Narracott lo him.self. "Now isn't the moment lo rub him up the wrong way." Aloud he said innocently. "You were at .Sittaford Hou.se, you say sir. The lady has been there nowâ€" about how long?" "A couple of r.ionth.*:." The major was eager to escape the result of his imprudent words. It made him more loquacious than usual. "A widow lady with her daughter? ' 'That'.s it." "Does she give any reason for her thoice of resident?" "Well â€" "the major rubbed his nose Ju'.jiously, "she talks a lot, she's that iind of woman â€" beauties of nature â€" >ut of the world â€" that sort of thing. But- â- " He paused rather helplessly. In- ipoctor Narracott came to his rescue. â- "It didn't strike you as natural on ler part." "Well, it's like this. She's a fash Wmijble sort "^ ""P^'J- Dressed up Ui the nines^diiugfifer's a" scmrt, pretty girl, atural thing would bo (or them to be staying at the Kit/ or Claridges, or some other big hotel lonicwhore. You know the sort." Narracott nodded. "They don't keep themselves to ihemselvea, do they?" he asked, "You lon'l think they are â€" wellâ€" hiding?" Major Burnuliy shook his head posi- livcly. "Oh! no, nothing of that kiml. They're very sociable â€" a bit too soci- ible. I mean, in a little place like Bittaford. you can't have previous cn- fugements, and when invitations av: (howered on you it'.s a bit awkward. They're exceedingly ''•n'l. hospitable pcoplii, but a bit too hospitable fov English ideas." "The colonial touch," said the In- ipector. "Yes, I suppose so." "You've no reason to think tin > »cre previously acquainted with t^ap Win Trevelyan?" ".Sure they weren't." "You seem v<'ry ixsilivc'.'" "JiK' would have told me." "And you don't think their motive Kuld have beenâ€" wellâ€" to scrape ae- litaintance with th>> captain?" This wa.s clearly a now idea lo the unjor. He pondered over it for some- rinutes, "Well, I never thought of that. They l^ere very gushing to him, certainly, Kot that they got any chiinge out of Eoe, But no, I think it was just liclr usual manner, Over friendly, fou know, like colonials are," "I nee. Now, ns to the house it self. C»ptain Trevelyan built that, 1 un- leretand?" "Yes." "And nolxtdy else has ever lived in It? I mean, it'.« not been let before?" "Never." "Then it doesn't avvm as though it eould br anything in the house itself that w«.» the altraclinn. It's a pu/.zle. Ten t< one, it's in>t nothing to do with the case, but it just struck me as an odd coincidence. This house that Captain Trevelyan took. Hazel- moor, whose property was that?" "Miss Ijirpent's. Middle-aged wom- an, she's gone to a boarding house at Cheltenham for the winter. Doe.s every year. Usually shuts the house up, but lets it if she can, which isn't often." There seemed nothing promising there. The inspector shook his head. "Williamsons were the agents, I un- derstand?" he- said. "Yes." "Their office is in Exhampton?" "Next door to Walters & Kirkwood." "Ah! then, perhaps, if you don't mind, major, we might Just drop in on our way." The Major, who hah finished his breakfast some time ago, nodded as- sent and rose. An alert looking young man roso to receive them in the oflfice of Messrs. Williamson. "This is Inspector Narracott," the major said. "I want some information that I think you can give me," said the in- spector. "I understand you put through this let of Sittaford House." "To Mrs. WUlett? Yes, we did." "Can you give me full details, please, of how that came about. Did the lady apply personally, or by let- ter?" "By letter. She wrote, let me see " He opened a drawer and turn- up a file. "Yes, from the Carlton Hotel, London." "Did she mention Sittaford House by name?" "No, she merely said she wante<l to rent a house for the winter, it must be right on Dartmoor and have at least eight bedrooms. Being near a railway station or a town was of no consequence." "Was Sittafford House on your books?" "No, it was not. But as a matter of fact it was the only house in the neighborhood that at all fulfilled the requirements. The lady mentioned in her letter that she would be willing to go to twelve guineas, and in these circumstances I thought it worth while writing to Captain Trevoly x>i and asking v hethcr he would con- sider letting. He replied in the ai'- firma'ive, and •kq fixed the thing up." Without Mrs. Willett .seeing the house?" "She agrecti to take it without see- ing it, and signed the agi'eemont. Then she came down her for one tlay, drove up to Sittaford, saw Captain Trevelyan, arranged with him about piate and linen, etc., and saw over the house." "She was quite satisfied?" ' She came in I'nd said sho Aas de- K'.'htcd witn it." "And what di ! voa think?" asked Inspector Narracott, eyeing him keen- The young man shruggel his thoul- ders. "You learn never to l>e surprised at anything in the house business," he sai.l, as they left. On reaching the offices of Messrs. Walters & Kirkwood, they were told that Mr. Kirkwood had jusc arrived and tliry were shown into his room. Mr, Kirkwood was an elderly man with a benign expression. He was a native of Exhampton and has suo- cec^dtnl his father and grandfather in the firrii. He rose, put on his mourning face, and shook hands with tlie nuijor. "Good morning. Major Bumaby," he said. "This in a very shockin;r affair. Very shocking indeed. Poor Trevelyan." He looked inquiringly at Narracott and Major Burnaby explained his presence in a few succinct words. "You are in charge of the case. In- spector Narracott?" "Yes, Mr. Kirkwood, In pursuance of my investigations, I have come lo ask you for certain information." "I shall be happy to give you any information if it is proper for nic to do so," said the lawyer, "It concerns the late Captain Tre velyan's will," said Narracott. "I un- derstand the will is here in your of- lu'e." •â- Thai is so." "It was made some time ago?" "Five or six years ago, 1 cannot he -ure of the exact date at the moment." "I am anxious, Mr. KirkwootI, to know the contents of that will as soon as possible. It may have an impor- tant bearing on the ca.se." "Indeed?" said the lawyer. "In deed! I should not have thought that, but naturally you know your own business best. Inspector. Wellâ€"" he glanced across at the other man. "Major Uurnaby and myself are joint executors <if the will. If he has no objection " j "None." i "Then I see no reason why 1 shouM i not accede to your request. Inspector,"! Taking up a speaking tube, he spoki- .â- i few wor<lp down it. In two or thro'^ minutes « clerk entered the r<Kini an^l laid a sealed envelope in front of th.- lawyer. Mr. Kirkw'ood drew out .1 large and important looking docu- ment, cleared hii? throat and liegau to read - "I .Joseph .Arthur Trevelyan, of .Sit taford House. Sittaford, in the County A Lesson in War Pithy Anecdotes Of the Famous Parisians are now instructed In the use of gas mask at the In- valides. Young and old are shown how to combat poison fumes. of Devon, declare this to be my last will and testament which I make this thirteenth day of August nineteen hundred and twenty-six. "(1) I appoint John Edward Burn- aby of 1 The Cottages, Sittaford, and Frederick Kirkwood of Exhampton, lo be the executors and trustees of this my will. "(2) I give to Robert Henry Evans, who has served me long and faith- fully, the sum of £100 (one hundred pounds) free of legacy duty for his own benefit absolutely, provided that he is in my service at the time of my death and not under notice fco leav.; whether given or received. "(,'!) I give the said John Edward Burnaby, as a token of our friend- ship and of my affection and regard for him, all my trophies of .sport, in- eluding my collection of heads and pelts of big game, as well as any challenge cups and prizes awarded to me in any department of sport anl any spoils of the chase in my pos- session. (To Be Continued.) "Put Africa to Work," French Colonial Slogan Paris. â€" "I'ut Af 1 ica to work." This is the slogan of French colonial policy as the economic crisis becomes more severe. The trade deficit of France proper recently reached 1,000,000,000 francs a month. Oflicials now look lo thu colonial empire â€" the world's second largest â€" for increased business to wipe out the deficit. Trade with the colonies has slump- ed less than has trade with forei.^n countries. Thirty per cent, of all French exports were bought by the empire in li);i2, while the mother^ country made 19 per cent, of all her purchases in possessions. These percentages have mounted since the depression set in. In 192!) France sold her colonies only 19 per cent, of her exports, instead of 30 per cent., and she bought from them only 11 per cent, of her purchases in- stead of 19 per cent. Three tariffs systems prevail be- tween France and her vast empire which extends to all continents and includes CI, 015,000 pcr.sons. One group is consolidated in ihe French tariff scheme, another is on preferential basis and a third has tariff autonomy. George Bernard Shaw Incid- ents â€" An Ex-Arch- duke â€" Etc. One of the best stories about George Bernard Shaw â€" because it shows, as Miss Ishbcl MacDonald pu: it, that "you mustn't ta<c him too seriously" â€" has to do with a lecture he once gave in London on "Socialism After the War." At its conclusion, G.B.S. invited questions from the audience. A man arose and said: "Mr. Shaw, what is your thought about these huge incomes that are being accumulated by individuals all over the world. Don't you agree that r > man should be allowed to retain more than one thousand pounds (then (6,000) for himself?" "Certainly not," promptly respond- ed Shaw. "Besides, my income is nwre than a thousand pounds." I'll say it is. * • • When G.B.S. was a little shaver â€" and going to school, his father remark- ed to him one day, more in sorrow than in anger: "Your teache.' says that you are the laziest boy in the school. Is that so"? "No, father," replied Georgie. "The teacher is the laziest. Whenever we have to work and write, he sits in hi! chair, doing nothing." * * * On another occasion young G.B.S. said to his father: "Dad, you always tell people I am lazy. But you should have heard how teacher praised me this mcming," "Ah! that's right, my boy," beamed father. "What did he say?" "He said there might be boys still lazier than I," replied the young hope- ful, triumphantly. Shavian, even then, you see. So you mustn't take him too seriously. * * » ..ipeaking of the ^budding geniuses recalls a story about Anatole France, the French writer, who when seven ; ears of age, was listening to some of his school mates telling about their birthdays. Joining the con ersation he said: "I know when I war born." "When?" piped several voices. "At 8,35 in the morning," proudly asserted little Francois Thibault â€" - hich was Anatole France', real name. "That isn't true," retorted one of them. * * * Since the end of the World War, many are the ex-royal personages, especially when hailing from Central Europe and Russia, who, in the effort to earn an honest penny, have had to turn their hands to all kinds of men- ial jobs. The recent marriage of Leo- pold Walfing, ex-archduke of Tuscany and former cousin of the old Emper- or Francis Joseph of Austria, recalls the fact that in his reminiscences, "My Life Story: From Archduke to Grocer," he says, not without pride, "so far as I know, no other reduced royal big-wig except myscl: has ever been a grocer, * » ♦ "My little shop was in Vienna," he adds, "and my customers were mostly working class folk who knew me for the archduke I once was. This fact that an archduke had turned grocer seemed to amuse them, and they always addressed me by my title, each in his own special stylo. Their orders given to me over the counter still ring in my ears: " 'Iniyjerial Highness, give me two pints of milk,' or 'Archduke, be sure to keep me some fresh butter,' or 'Y'our Serene Highness, can you in- troduce me to a good sausage?'" * :* * But, sighs the former archduke, to be a successful grcK'cr one must have TEA InfuM ilx heapins iMtpconful* ol "SALADA" Black T.. In • pint sized tea-pot Alt«r ilx IrIii««m tfrain and pour liquid Into half-gallon container. Wht(« hot, add â- c«p and • half of tufaf and lh« (uic* of two lainoM; than Mil ceotaiaaf wNk cold wataf. Do net !•• IHfamte •« IM will turn dowdy. SWVO M lO^ulMd, wMl Ml ko 9ttv9 Hi 4#cn fMSk "SALADA" TEA 'Fresh from <kc fardcns' . Japan's "Suicide" Crater Explored Lowered 1,250 feet liilo .Miliarav.iioa "suicide" vtdcano, ToUi:,', i I wain, Jupaneie sclentisit, found tho lioiies of a suicide- one of ':7i since .lamiary. Iwata's descent Is »lie most sensational of its kind. brains and "brains are a commodity which few royal personages pos- sess." "I, myself, don't possess them," he frankly confesses, "and I was never more conscious of my lack than re- cently when, after I had slaved away as a small grocer in Vienna for nearly a year, my creditors swooped down on me and I had to shut up the shop." * * « From "Histories Marseillaises," by Edouard Ramond: Over a game of cards in r. cafe, Ban- aste had a furious quarrel with his opponent. In his rage he threw off his coat and rolletl up his shirt sleeves while the other man did like- wise. "Hold me back," roared Banaste to the onlookers, "or I shall do some- thing terrible to him," Nobo<ly moved to interfere. Non- plussed, Banaste glared indignantly at the crowd. "What." he said, "you don't hold people back in this cafe, .then?" * * ♦ George Horton, for over thirty years in the American Consular ser- vice, tells some amusing stories about his experiences abroad in his book, "Recollections Grave .ind Gay." Mr. Horton's first post was Athens, whore in 1893, he got to know King Geor'ge of Greece â€" a rather decent sort of chap, one gathers. * * * The great social event at Athens in those days was the King's Ball. A Greek lady, wife of a prosperous mer- chant, made up her mind to get into society. She gave her money and support to the Greek indu.stry. In due course an invitation to the royal ball was the reward. There, King George commended her silk efforts. "Your Majesty," she said, "the so- ciety ladies of Athens should set the fashion of wearing local silk. Every stitch I have on is Greek silk." She patted her skirt and murmured "Greek silk!" She lifted it, disclosing petticoat, "Greek silk!" She lifted that, and revealed an- other, "Greek silk!" How far the demonstration wouKl have gone (speculates Mr. Horton). I do not know, for the King, evidently convinced, fled. * * * "I was once- at .,n international din- ner at a legation," reminisces Mr. Horton, "at which the guest of honor was an American Congressman, a famous raconteur. He told, with much detail, a story of a farmer who had two sons, one good and prudent, the other a spendthrift. On his death ho left the farm to the good young man. and the other brought legal action to break the will. The suit lasted for years, the lawyers' fees eating up the property, until the fences, house and barns became dilapidated. * • * "One evening, the owner of the farm, sitting on his iK)rch and Icok- ing out over his mortgaged fields, murmured: " 'When 1 think of it all, I'm some- times sorry that Pa died.' "The titter that broke out among the few Americans present was quickly suppressed by the look of horror on the faces of others, and the remark of a serious-minded Frenchman : ""jl have always understood,' he said, 'that respect for parents was not iio thoroughly inculcated in the : indii of children in .Vmerica, as in other countries.' " * ♦ » Ernest Rhys recalls in his remi- nfscences how when t">.scar Wilde once met (iliver Schreiner author of "The Story of An African Farm"' â€" who was living in the Whitechapel district of L.ind(in, he asked her why in the World she wont to live in the East End. "I live in the East End," she said, "becau.se the people don't wear masks.' "And 1," rejoined Oscar, "live in the West End because they do." Leprosy Germ Isolated; Cure Now a Step Nearer Washington. â€" Another step toward the conquest of leprosy has been v»* nounced by the Leonard Wood Meui^ orial for Eradication of Leprosy. It is the isolation and cultivation of tfc« germ outside the body. Dr. Earle B. McKinley, dean Ol George Washington University Medi- cal School, and Dr. Malcolm H. Soule, of the University of Michigan, are the scientists who have succeeded in isO' lating what they believe gives every evidence of being the true leprosy organism. Dr. McKinley and Dr. Elizabeth Verder, an associate, in e.xperimenta still in progress at George Washington also have developed a method by which fresh strains of the organism can be started at any time from lep- rosy tissue. Not since the discovery of ths Chaulmoogra oil treatment, ten years ago, has a development in the field of leprosy been regarded by physicians as of such importance as the isola- tion of the germ after;sixty years of effort. lu 1S72 a Nor^gian bacterio- logist discovered the %erm believed to be responsible for iSrosy, closely resembling that of tublrculosis. But the mere establishment <ii the fact that leprosy v.-as a geA disease waa of little value iu its JoJiquest until the germ could be tate^ into the lab- oratory and studied. '*?.. ^"K, TRUTH. V, In proportion as we love truth mors and victory less, we shall become anxious to know what it is which leads our opponents to think as they, do. We shall begin to suspect that the pertinacity of belief exhibited by them must result from a perception of something we have not perceived, And we shall aim to supplement the portion of truth we have found wit> the portion found by them. New . .,., ^^ Baby ?.-4 t^^' Send for s^ii FREE ^/ ^ book '^sS~'' <*â- "Baby?s Welfare" '^''' Now inotheral Expert:int â- noiher*! Sentl for niosi helpful boolclot oa baby car© yuu cvrr â- awl 84 p.-igcs! • What i j du before baby coiucfi. • Layottc. • Uaby'a balli, Klevp, airiiit:, tunning, bowel habits. • Wvi^llt, height chart.4. • Itreanl fcocliui-', • llottU fcodlng lalr-4t tin.l- Id^ii. • Supplcnicutary fuudx. • I*a|;e9 for b;iby*« own bio- graphy. Write illE HOItUEN CO., LIMITED. Yaraier Uou.e, TwruDto, for KKLK copy. ni: f: t I dddrma . Ect^le Brand CONDENSED Mtlll^ tM^ i^^"^.^ ^^ j^/ ^ t ISSUE No. 26â€" '33