Spinning-Wheel Stories

Mr. Maverick Narkom, Superintendent of Scotland Yard, looked up from the letter he was perusing, a wrinkle in his brow and one hand spread out over the sheet to keep it open, as the sound of a soft knock broke through the stillness, and with an exasperation born of the knotty problem upon which he was at work, called out an irritable "e;Come in."e;Inspector Petrie's head appeared in the aperture, stiff hand at the salute. "e;I know you wasn't to be disturbed, sir,"e; he began apologetically, "e;but there's a leddy come to see you. Seemed distressed, and said it was urgent, and begged me for the love of 'even to let her in."e;"e;And, being a religious man, you succumbed, of course,"e; rapped out Mr. Narkom in a tone of exasperation. "e;Oh, well, where's her card? What with one thing and another, this morning's work[Pg 2] has practically gone to blazes. Not a minute's peace, by James! What's the lady's name, Petrie?"e;Inspector Petrie came forward, a strip of pasteboard in his hand upon which was engraved a name and something written in a woman's hand underneath. "e;Miss Maud Duggan. H'm. Scotch, I take it. And what's this! School friend of Miss Ailsa Lorne. Ailsa Lorne, eh? Haven't heard from her in a month of Sundays. Said her business was important eh, Petrie?"e;