ch he labored.

"Mr. Creighton, isn't it, sir? Miss Copley told me to fix up some
sandwiches and coffee in the butler's pantry. There's so many coming
and going through the house she thought it would be quieter there. Mr.
Krech is there already, waiting for you, sir."

"Very thoughtful of her. What is your name?"

"Edward Bates, sir. I'm the butler."

"Oh, yes, Miss Copley spoke of you. She tells me you handled things
very well this morning after Mr. Varr was found."

"I did what I could, sir. I knew the body mustn't be moved, so I kept
the news from Miss Lucy--that's Mrs. Varr, sir--until the police and
the doctor got here."

"Knew that, did you? Been with the family long, Bates?"

"Thirty-five years, sir. I worked for old Mr. Copley before his
daughter married Mr. Varr. This is a shocking business, sir."

The conversation carried them to the pantry door, whither Bates had led
them. His hand was on the knob when Creighton checked him with a touch
on his elbow, at which the old man jumped nervously.

"One moment. A butler who keeps his ears open often knows a lot that
other people don't. What is your idea about this? Can you guess who
murdered Mr. Varr?"

"No, sir!" His voice was almost panicky. "Indeed I can't, sir!"

"Uh-huh," said Creighton easily. Was the old fellow suffering from
frazzled nerves or from hidden knowledge? Another little matter for
future examination. "By the way, how is Mrs. Varr standing the shock?"

"Not too well, sir. She bore up like the brave lady she is until Mr.
Norvallis was through with her, then broke down. She's in bed. The
doctor says she must keep quiet and that she'll be all right, but he's
coming again this afternoon."

"Get him to give you something for yourself," was Creighton's kindly
admonition. "You're trembling like a leaf. The family will be
depending on you a lot these next few days. Don't let them down by
getting sick."

"I won't, sir. Thank you, sir."

Creighton permitted him to escape, well satisfied with the new tone in
the man's voice as he acknowledged his appreciation of the detective's
interest. Creighton was never harsh with a witness, never tried to
bulldoze or rattle him, until all else had failed. His policy was to
put people at their ease and gentle them into talking freely, a course
that was all the more facile for him by reason of his genuine sympathy
and understanding and his native kindliness.

Krech was waiting