THE PROFESSOR WONDERS

“What a fog!” muttered Hale Spence as Dodge, his manservant, took his damp wraps. “Had to walk from the club…couldn’t get a cab at any price. Got lost twice…you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face! Get Billings on the phone. Bradwell’s…”

“Pardon me, sir, you have a visitor… A Professor Fordney…”

“Hello, Spence,” greeted the criminologist. “I overheard your conversation. As a native Londoner you shouldn’t mind this weather!”

Spence’s face clearly indicated he was not pleased at having a caller, but his: “Won’t you join me in a drink?” was cordial.

Fifteen minutes later he was aware of the purpose of Fordney’s visit. Scotland Yard, suspicious of Spence’s connection with a counterfeiting ring, had asked Professor Fordney to interview him. Through subtle inquiries he learned far more than his host was aware of.

“The Yard was about to arrest Bradwell as head of the ring, but he was murdered this afternoon,” casually remarked Fordney.

Spence stared through half-open lids. “Yes. So I learned on my way home from the club. Saw the headlines of an evening paper as I passed a newsboy about a block from the flat. But let me tell you, Professor, the Yard’s mistaken! Bradwell conducted a perfectly legitimate business in Tottenham Court Road. I’ve bought several antiques from him.”

“Is this one of them?” inquired Fordney, indicating a chair.

“Yes, it is. Why?”

“If you are not involved in Bradwell’s murder you will have no objections to telling me, honestly, how you knew he was dead!” sternly stated Fordney.

Why was the criminologist suspicious of Spence? Turn page for solution.