The Borough Treasurer

stronger as events had developed; it was still stronger now as they stood outside the dead man's cottage, the light from the open door and the white-curtained window fall

has just undergone a great relief. To put the whole thing into a narrow compass, it seemed as if Cotherstone appeared to be positively pleased to hear-and to find beyond doubt-that Kitely was dead. And now, as he stood glancing from one young man to the other, his eyes gl

and said it yet again. "A good 'un! And

e was something odd about his prospective father-in-law, and he was

, with a queer sound that was half a chuckle. "But as long as it's struck s

e thinking about," repli

able chuckle at that, and he motione

d. "You'll spot it. But, anyway-Mr. Brereto

x, flanked by a church-warden pipe, a spirit decanter, a glass, and a plate on which were set out sugar and lemon-these Brereton took to be indicative that Kitely, his evening constitutional over, was in the habit of taking a quiet pipe and a glass of something warm before going to bed. And looking round still further he became aware of an

, with a meaning nod of his head. "I'll l

ng his hands. "It certainly looks like it,

rgeant came into the living-room, the doctor carrying something in his hand which he laid down on the centre table in full view of all

orous life as themselves; some man, equally vigorous, had used it as the instrument of a foul murder. Insignificant in itself, a mere piece of strongly spun and twisted hemp, it was yet singularly

something," suddenly observed the doctor, glancin

ust whispered to

nswered. "It's what a pig-killer fast

le to examine the cord, and had seen that, though slender, it was exce

r legs. They lay the pig on it, don't you see, and tie it down with a co

of course," said the doctor. "These cords

n and looked at the length before him. "This has been cut off what you might cal

ctor as if asking advice on the subje

d of assent. "Of course, you've go

rds as that, lives close by, doctor," he answered. "Y

him if he knows anything. Somebody might have stolen one of his

own, there aren't," rem

ely was strangled by this rope, and that everything on him of any value was taken. You'd b

y. She was as calm as when Bent first told her of what had occurred, and she stood at the end of the ta

your master's met his death at somebody's hands, and there's no dou

s-horse in front of the fire before she replied. She seemed to be thinking deepl

never short of money ever since I knew him, and sometimes he'd a fair amount in his pockets-I know, of course, because he'd pull it out, loose gold, and

sked the

m. He was a close man-he'd never tell anybody more than he liked, and he never told me aught about that. But I do know it was what you'd call a fair amount-for a man t

ered Cotherstone,

ng in than that pension. And I tell you he was the sort of man that carried his money about him-he was foolish that way. And then he'd a very v

book?" asked

ean to say you found it empty? You did?-very well then, I'm no fool, and I say that if he's been murdered, there's been some re

nt, ignoring Miss Pett's suggestion. "Di

get his supper, and go out for an hour, walking round and about. Then he'd come in, put on his slippers-there they are, set down to warm for

ent, who saw that the sergeant had no more to a

d. But an hour was about his time. Up and down and about the hill-sid

was impelling him to take a part in this dr

uestioner. She took a calm and close observation of him

a time. And you're a sharp 'un, too! Well-you're young, but you're old enough to have

had for warning him against going out late at

ke this late at night. When I'd got to know his habits, I expostulated with him more than once. I pointed out to him that in spots like this, where there's naught nearer than them houses at the foot of the hill one way, and Harborough's cottage another way, and both of 'em a good quarter of a mile off, and where there's all these coverts and coppices and rocks, it was not safe

have been murdered for something els

just what I felt might happen, and there he is-dead. And I should be obliged to some of you if you'd send up a woman or t

e matters with the housekeeper, the sergeant went outs

," he said. "I don't expect to learn aught much there-yet-but I can se

tone's arm and turned him i

must go home-Lettie'll be anxious about things. Go dow

arthwaite went off in one direction; the others, led by the observant policeman who had found t

n as he and Bent followed their leaders throu

a bit of rat-catching, and a bit of mole-catching-and a good deal of poaching. In fact, he's an odd person altogether, not only in character but in appearance. And the curious thing is that he's got a

e with him?"

though everybody marvels that such a man should have such a daughter. There's a mystery about that

ggested Brereton. "Wouldn't it be better if

's cottage, at the far end of th

had a faculty for seeing things. "There's a good fire burning in the k

quietly," counsel

m. In the starlight Brereton looked round at these new surroundings-an old, thatched cottage, set in a garden

policemen turned their lamps in its direction. And Brereton, looking sharply round, became aware of