DONIS HOTEL Comfort and Convenience FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. DONIS & TAYLOR | GENERAL STORE “The Store of Satisfaction” e GROCERIES, DRY GOODS, HARDWARE BOOTS AND SHOES LADIES’ WEAR, CONFECTIONERY, DRUGS FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. FORT ST. JOHN FURNITURE STORE C. B. WARREN, Proprietor FURNITURE, LAMPS FLOOR COVERINGS WINDOW SHADES Everything in Furniture for the Better Home FORT ST. JOHN - - THE | FLORENCE SHOP Ladies’, Children’s and Genis’ Furnishings % | FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. | Page One Hundred and Eighteen “And allowing your imagination some free play,” Garrett chuckled from his seat. “Yes.” Tuohey’s voice was serious. “It was strange, I thought, that Moran choose a day on which he was making enquiries about his missing assistant to take his wife out of the mental home. When the two hours were up I had reached a startling con- clusion. The idea which had come to my mind was so startling indeed that it kept me awake some part of the night. I had to wait until morning, however, to test my theory, and it was with some excitement that I hurried through my breakfast and left the house to cross the city to interview again the talkative butcher. Early as the hour was, he was in his shop and I slipped in quietly and went into the kitchen. “Listen,” I said. “Think hard. Did you see your neighbour bringing his wife home from the mental hospital on the 12th?” “No, but I heard the car. I was serving a customer. I was speaking to him a short time after and he told me,” he said. “Did you see her leaving the house?” “Oh, yes, he drove her in the car. She was sitting in the back seat.” “What time was that?” “Tt would be late—about half-nine, I think.” “Did you speak to his wife?” “Oh, no.” “How did you recognise her then?” The butcher looked puzzled. “Was it by her face or by the clothes she wore, or by the way she sat, or in what way?” “By her clothes, then. You couldn’t mis- take Mrs. Moran. She always dressed loudly, if you understand. That evening she wore a bright coloured cloak affair, and one of them funny hats with flowers in it and a veil nearly covering her face.” “And Moran was dressed up, too, I sup- pose?” “In his best.” “I left him and went on a journey to the other side of the city. When I returned to the busy streets again I went to the news- paper office and put in that ad. that you have just read, and then I went home. For the next few days I wasn’t so busy. I sat at home most of the time and pieced together the solution of the Martha Minnock puzzle. Then on the fourth morning I received a letter to which I replied and at the same time sent one to the Superintendent at Lisson. The message I sent to him was short: ‘Meet me in the snug of O’Brien’s pub in Abbot Street, City, at 1.30 p.m. sharp tomorrow, and I will deliver to you the murderer of Martha Minnock’.” “Did he turn up—I mean the Super.?” Garrett asked, smiling. “He did,” Tuohey returned. “In fact, he was waiting for me when I arrived. He didn’t look in good humour, but a few drinks softened him. At ten minutes to two we were chatting like brothers, but I could see plainly that he believed that I wasn’t quite sane. The bar was deserted except for the assistant, who was dusting bottles on the shelves, for O’Brien’s customers arrive when their work is finished in the evening. The Make Your Reservations at the TITUS LODGE Fort St. John, B.C. Nice Clean Rooms — Good Beds Lovely Lounge and Home- Like Atmosphere Rates Reasonable Special for Weekly or by the Month | Titus Mercantile Trade With Us and Save Money Best Merchandise Good Service at Our GENERAL STORE FORT ST. JOHN - - Seguin Furniture Company JOSEPH SEGUIN, Proprietor New and Used Goods Bought, Sold & Exchanged * Horse Ranch, Outfitter and Guide Joe Seguin * FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. Subscribe to THE SHOULDER STRAI Walter’s Lunch CONFECTIONERY and ICE CREAM Sandwiches, Sodas Luncheonette We Serve Full Course Meals e FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. THE SHOULDER STRA!