AN INTERVIEW WITH DEATH

“Yes, one does run into unique conspiracies in my work,” the Professor remarked over after-dinner coffee. “Here is what gave me the lead in that Carobus case you all found so interesting,” he continued, handing one of his guests the following classified newspaper advertisement.

Wanted: confidential private secretary. Unusual salary and opportunity for young man speaking Russian. Culture and refinement necessary qualifications. Address Box KR. 165.

“I don’t see how that gave you any information. Looks all right to me,” his guest reported, passing on the clipping.

“Well,” Fordney continued, “that ad furnished the strongest link in my chain of evidence. I had previous information that Jack Hemwell was infatuated with Carobus’s wife. At the suggestion of Mrs. Carobus her husband answered this ad, and received a reply requesting him to call for a personal interview. That interview was with death!

“Mrs. Carobus, when questioned, said that she and her husband had not been on particularly friendly terms recently and that the last she saw of him was when he left for Swampscott to see about the position.

“I had called at the newspaper office and was informed that the ad had been inserted by Gerald Kesl, Hotel DuBarry. They remembered the ad because, while Mr. Kesl had phoned to ascertain if there were any replies and was informed there were, they had not been called for. At the Hotel DuBarry I found Kesl was unknown.

“I learned from Mrs. Carobus that her husband had answered the ad in longhand and that he was left-handed and a very poor penman.

“Pondering the matter, though puzzled at first, I finally hit upon the manner in which Carobus had been led to his death.”

“I don’t see how!” Doris Jopke said with a perplexed frown.

Do you? Turn page for solution.