per. "I looked up everything
I can find in my library here, in regard to magpies," he said. "Is
there any difference between an ordinary magpie and a Spanish one?" he
added, turning.

"I don't think so, sir. They can all be taught to talk--the same as a
parrot, sir."

"Then if this bird should repeat a word, or two words, over and over
again it would be plausible to assume that some one had used the word
or two words. I want to make myself clear," Drew added with engaging
candor. "What I'm getting at is important in view of the fact that this
magpie used two words after we broke down the door to the library and
found Mr. Stockbridge murdered."

Delaney leaned forward.

"The words this bird used were 'Ah Sing,' as near as we can arrive at
them. Did you ever hear it repeat that couplet?"

"I can't say that I have, sir."

The detective lifted his brows and stared at the cage. "Repeat that,"
he said to Delaney. "Repeat what we heard in the library."

"Ah, Sing! Ah, Sing! Ah, Sing!" boomed the operative.

The magpie ruffled its feathers and darted about the cage like a
sparrow in a barrel. "Keep it up," said Drew.

"Ah, Sin! Ah, Sing! Ah, Singing!" roared Delaney.

"That'll do! You've frightened it. Let it alone for a while. We'll keep
it here, Otto. I'll send it back in a few days. How's Miss Stockbridge
bearing the strain, up at the house?"

"She hasn't left her room, sir. Mr. Nichols called. The Red Cross
people called. There's been lots of callers, sir, but she hasn't
appeared, sir. It's early, though."

Drew glanced at his watch. "That's all," he said. "You may go."

The door closed softly as the valet bowed, replaced his hat and passed
out without glancing back.

"A good servant," said Drew, rising and kneeling down beside the cage.
"Now, Delaney," he added tersely. "Now, old sleepy head, we have the
key to the case locked here. I don't doubt but that you unconsciously
struck the right clew when you bawled your little hymn. You said, 'Ah,
Singing.' Now couldn't that be Ossining?"

"By God, Chief, it could!"

"Or, more likely, Ah! Sing Sing!"

"Who said that?"

"The bird!"

"But who taught the bird?"

"Nobody taught it! It might have been the last thing said by
Stockbridge--just before he was shot."

"And the bird repeated it--to us?"

"Certainly! A parrot or a magpie is a living phonograph. They reproduce
a sound, at times, without any idea of knowing what they are saying.
This bird may h