Part 26 (1/2)
CARPENTER
Harleston took a taxi to the Collingwood, arriving just as Ranleigh came up, and the two men went in together.
Whiteside was there; gagged and bound to the same chair that had held Crenshaw.
The rooms were in confusion. Everything had been gone through; clothes were scattered over the floor, papers were strewn about, drawers stood open.
They released Whiteside, and presently he was able to talk.
”When did it happen?” Ranleigh asked.
”About five o'clock this afternoon, sir,” Whiteside replied, in a most apologetic tone. He knew there was no sympathy and no excuse for the detective who let his prisoner escape. ”The bell rang. I went to the door--and was shot senseless by a chemical revolver. When I came to, I had exchanged places with the prisoner, and he and another man were just departing. 'My compliments to Mr. Harleston when he returns,' said Crenshaw, as he went out.”
”Describe the other man!” said Ranleigh.
”Medium sized, slender, dark hair and eyes, good features, looked like a gentleman, wore a blue sack-suit, black silk tie, and stiff straw hat.”
”It's Sparrow,” Harleston remarked. ”Did they take anything with them?”
”Nothing whatever that I saw, sir.”
”You're excused until morning,” said the Chief curtly.
The detective saluted and went out.
”I am exceedingly sorry I overlooked Whiteside when I escaped from Crenshaw's garrote in the Chateau,” Harleston remarked. ”The simple fact is, I clean forgot him until I was talking with you on the telephone.”
”It's just as well, Mr. Harleston,” Ranleigh replied. ”It served him right. He will be fortunate if his want of precaution doesn't cost him his job.”
”No, no!” Harleston objected. ”Whiteside has been punished. I intercede for him. Let him continue in his job, please.”
”Very good, sir,” Ranleigh acquiesced. ”But he'll be informed that he owes his retention entirely to you.”
When Ranleigh departed, after hearing a detailed account of the evening's doings at the hotel, Harleston sat for a little while thinking; finally he drew over a pad and made a list of things that required explanation, or seemed to require explanation, at the present stage of the matter:
”(1) The translation of the cipher letter. This should explain Madeline Spencer's connection with the affair.
”(2) Did the following persons, incidents, or circ.u.mstances have any bearing on the affair.
”(a) The lone and handsome woman, who left the Collingwood at three that morning.
”(b) The note 'a l'aube du jour' (signed) 'M,' found in Crenshaw's pocket.
”(c) The telephone call of the Chartrand apartment at 12:52 A.M., by a man who said that he was 'here' and to meet him at 10 A.M.
”(d) The persons in the Chartrand apartment the previous night.
”(e) After 1 P.M. no one entered the Collingwood by the usual way, and no one telephoned; how, therefore, did anyone in the Collingwood know of the incident of the cab, and of my connection with it.
”(f) Who is Mrs. Winton of the Burlingame apartments?
”(g) Why was she in Peac.o.c.k Alley, wearing black and red roses, at five o'clock this afternoon?”