THE GODDESS OF DEATH The colonel's brother was of ficially adjudged to have lied from natural causes, and the fu neral was over. The colonel was seated in his smoking room with Inspector James of' the Indian de partment of Scotland Yard. "You say the jury was wrong, and that my "brother was mur dered,", said the colonel mourn fully. "I won't dispute your word. But don't you say a word against my man. L brought him from India five years, ago, and he's absolutely honest and de voted to me." "Religious sentiments are stronger than duty," said the in spector thoughtfully. "But sup pose you show me the idol." The colonel led the way into his study at the far end of the house. It was an ordinary room except for the hideous, leering figure that occupied a niche in the wall at the side opposite the door. "It has a history of murder?" asked the.inspector. "Kalish, is the Indian god dess of. murder," answered the colonel, t "Tdiis statue comes from a famous temple in Benares, where thousands bowed before it ori every feast day, and each time some half dozen would drop dead where they stood. -Heart disease and auto-suggestion, of course. I don't believe in any supernatural rubbish. There was so much rioting that the government un officially expressed the wish. to and so well, here it is now." "The priests suspected?" "The damned rascals followed me to England, sir. Tried to . break into my house twice. Only last month I caught one right in this room, and he's now awaiting trial for burglary. They said my man was a confederate, but noth ing will convince me of that. Well, sir, I loaned the goddess to the British museum, and every time an East Indiaman arrived in port those black ruffians would hurry there and worship it. Three men Englishmen dropped dead in front of it. That scared the authorities, and they sent it back to me with their compli ments. And now my brother drops dead in his tracks when he comes in to look at it." The colonel's voice lroke He started from his seat and began pacing the floor.- James stooped suddenly, and in rising .knocked into the colonel. Both fell to the floor. "I really "beg pardon, sir," said Jamesi "I'm afraid I hurt you." He helped him to rise. "Please sit down while I send for your man." "All right," gasped the colonel, somewhat shaken, "but no bully ing, remember." Inspector James crossed, the, room and took his place beside the goddess. Presently, the In dian servant entered. He came forward and halted, looking at the inspector queerly. "Come here, please," said the inspector, beckoning The servant stepped "to the- ing tharsomebod)7wouid steal it,