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Author of "Osiris" and "Mandrake"
EVEN the most discerning person might be excused for failing to trace the connection between the report of a police inspector to his chief regarding the disappearance of a desired criminal, and an article in the newspapers concerning the mysterious absence of a noted professor of mathematics. Yet the connection existed and has come to light only now through a few disjointed notes in the dairy of Dr. Maurice Carrington and a letter received by the chief of police of Orland, a city in northern California.
Properly, the history of the affair begins with Inspector Bowman's report to Chief Conrad, and is as follows:
Acting upon your instructions, I started a search for "Professor" Parkes, wanted for burglary, and learned that since about a week ago he has not been seen in any of his usual hangouts. Those who know his habits believe he has jumped the town. I learn that he has been keeping fairly straight since he was released from prison a year ago. No job can be traced to him in that time. I have several men on the lookout and hope to have news shortly.
To the police, the clever crook operating under the name of "Professor" Parkes had been unusually successful in his nefarious trade until apprehended and sent across for five years.
Emerging from his confinement, he had remained in seclusion, and the chief's desire to interview him had been with regard to another case concerning whch Parkes was supposed to possess information. Incidentally, the title "professor" was one to which Parkes had been entitled, as he had served on the faculty of a small university for a time as an assistant instructor in mathematics. But poor pay and small opportunity for advancement had evidently started him on a crooked course.
On the same day that Bowman sent his report to the chief, the following "story" appeared in the daily press of the city and was flashed over the wires of the news services. It was headed:
WHERE IS PROFESSOR
CARRINGTON?
In part the article read as follows:
