Earl Derr Biggers

“ I told myself I should not be safe until the real murderer of the poor captain was found; and so I began to puzzle over the few clues in the case—especially over the asters, the scarab pin and the Homburg hat. It was then I remembered the four copies of the Daily Mail that Bray had casually thrown into the waste-basket as of no interest. I had glanced over his shoulder as he examined these papers, and had seen that each of them was folded so that our favorite department—the Agony Column—was uppermost. It happened I had in my desk copies of the Mail for the past week. You will understand why. ”

“ The sun is casting long black shadows on the garden lawn, and the whole world is so bright and matter-of-fact I have to argue with myself to be convinced that the events of that tragic night through which I passed really happened. ”

“ At last he spoke sharply: “Just how,” he demanded, “did you happen to discover those messages? You were not in this room last night after I left?” He turned angrily to the constable. “I gave orders—” “No,” I put in; “I was not in this room. I happened to have on file in my rooms copies of the Mail, and by the merest chance—” I saw that I had blundered. Undoubtedly my discovery of those messages was too pat. Once again suspicion looked my way. “Thank you very much,” said Bray. “I'll keep this in mind.” “Have you communicated with my friend at the consulate?” I asked. “Yes. That's all. ”

“ I may say frankly that I have other and greater interest in the matter than that of the captain's friend. For the present that is in strict confidence between us; the police are well-meaning, but they sometimes blunder. Did I understand you to say that you have copies of the Mail containing those odd messages? ”

“ The asters are in full bloom in the garden at Canterbury. They are very beautiful—especially the white ones.” Bray grunted, and opened his little eyes. I took up the issue of the following day—the twenty-eighth: “Rangoon: We have been forced to sell father's stick-pin—the emerald scarab he brought home from Cairo.” I had Bray's interest now. ”