THE GUMDROP AFFAIR By Relph E Hayes

 THE GUMDROP AFFAIR

By Relph E Hayes

Brief

 Then I saw a man standing in the street outside this block . I used to stay closed in my room all day , and only slip out after dark for an hour or two . I watched him for a bit from my window , and I thought I recognized him ... He came in and spoke to the porter .... When Appenals Tes for Leg Exercises 177 came back from my walk last night I found a card in my letterbox . It bore the name of the man I want least to meet on God's earth I think that the look in my companion's eyes , the sheer naked scare on his face completed my conviction of his honesty . 

My own voice sharpened a bit as I asked hum what he did next . I realized that I was bottled as sure as a pickled herring , and that there was only one way out . I had to die . If my pursuers knew I was dead they would go to sleep again . How did you manage it ? " I told the man that valets me that I was feeling pretty had , and I got myself up to look like death . That wasn't difficult , for I'm no slouch at disguises Then I got a corpse -- you can always get a body in London if you know where to go for it . I fetched it back in a trunk on the top of a four - wheeler , and I had to be assisted upstairs to my room . You see I had to pile up some evidence for the inquest .

 I went to bed and got my man to mix me a sleeping - draught , and then told him to clear out He wanted to fetch a doctor , but I swore some , and said I couldn't hide leeches . When I was left alone I started in to take up that corpse . He was my size , and I judged had perished from too much alcohol , so I put some in the likeness , so I blew it awa spints handy about the place . The jaw with a revolver . I daresay there will be somebody tomorrow to swear to having heard a shut but there are no neighbors on my floor , and I guessed I could risk it . So I left the body . in  bed dressed up in my pyjamas with a revolver lying on the bedclothes and a considerable mess around . Then I got into a suit of clothes I had kept waiting for emergencies . I didn't dare to shave for fear of leaving tracks , and besides , it wasn't any kind of use my trying to get into the streets . 

I had had you in my mind all day , and there seemed nothing to do but to make an appeal to you . I watched from my window till I saw you come home , and then slipped down the stair to meet you .... There , sir . I guess you know about as much the weak as me of this business .