A REVENGEFUL ATTEMPT

Professor Fordney and Sergeant Reynolds had just arrived from headquarters in response to a telephone call from the house of the eccentric bachelor, Robert Duval.

Duval’s sister, greatly agitated, met them at the door. “I’m afraid something terrible has happened,” she said. “I came to the house to see Robert ten minutes ago. As soon as I opened the front door I noticed a strong odor of gas. There was no answer to my shouts and I thought I’d better get help. Since phoning you I discovered the gas seems to be coming from the study, but I was afraid to go in.”

Unlocking the door, Reynolds met some slight resistance in pushing it open. Pillow stuffing had been jammed along the bottom, and the same stuffing had been used in the cracks of the windows which were securely locked.

Duval lay dead upon the couch, a knotted scarf around his throat. The room was heavy with gas issuing from the fireplace log.

A search revealed a note left by Duval which read, IF MY DEATH OCCURS UNDER SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES ARREST OLSON.

“Say,” exclaimed Reynolds, “this looks bad for Olson! I’d better hunt up that bird!”

“You might talk with him, Sergeant, but you’ll see he can’t be arrested for this.”

Why? Turn page for solution.