CHAPTER IX
AT BROOKDALE
Harry Vincent brought his speedy coupe to a standstill at the top of a hill. He studied a topographical survey map of the district; then stepped from the car and made an inspection from the top of a stone wall.
Half a mile away, well back from the road, stood a stone mansion, which he identified as the residence of Blair Windsor.
The building was on the side of a hill; the slope rose behind it to a slight degree, the top of the hill being from fifteen to twenty feet higher than the foundation of the house.
“That’s the place,” said Vincent, softly. “The property doesn’t go back very far; I guess that stone wall on top of the hill is the dividing line. I wonder what’s on the other side?”
Returning to the car, he drove leisurely along the road toward the mansion. Passing the house, he found a side road that turned to the left.
It twisted around the hill, and, curving to a spot directly in back, passed a small farmhouse that nestled among some trees. Going on a bit farther, Vincent made a second inspection of the map.
Both the large house and the farm building were recorded there; but there were no other houses in the vicinity.
Harry drew an envelope from his pocket. Before opening it, he made a mental resume of the facts that were already in his possession.