The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1890-04-05
The PiccadiIy Puzzle.
THE STORY OF 4 TERRIBLE EPISODE
IN THE LIFE OF An ENGLISH
NOBLEMAN.
BY F. w. HUME.
CHAPTER III.


principal witness, nothing was developed
that could throw light on the mystery.
1t was simply proved that the victim had
! been wounded by some poisonous in
Strument which had resulted in her de tn.
| Mr. Dowker, of Scotland Yard, was the
| detective detailed to find ont who the yic-
tim was and if possible to bring her as
ASSN to justice.
| Dowker was pleased at this tribute TO
| his cleyerness and sighed in an approx
| ing manner as he rapidly reviewed all the
evidence which had come under the eyes
| 81 the police.
| In the first place it would be recess arv
| to discover the name of the deceased. and
then, by finding out the manner of her
| life, the motive of the crime might be
discovered. pointing to the criminal. The
clothing was no. marked in any way but
| on exam ming the hat Dowker found from
| a ticket on the inside that It had been
purchased at the shop Of Nine Rene in
Regent street; SO, wrapping up the hat in
paper, he betook himself to the est Bill h.
| ment of that lady, as the first step i'll the
chain of evidence which hoped to com
plete by the discovery of the assassin.
| Mime. Renes establishment was one OF
| the smartest in London, and was well
known to the feminine world, who were
demanded there for goods which could
have been bought much cheaper else
where, but then they would not have been
stamped with Nine. Rene's approval, and
| that omission was to declare that the
article was UNREASONABLE Nine Rene :
| trade mark being thus indispensable
ladies never yentured to 90 anywhere else
if they could possibly manage if, and
| Nine Rene hourished greatly.
Dowker entered the shop and asked to
see Nine Rene to whose presence he was
| conducted at once, for the detective was
| well known there, having been frequently
employed by Madame in missions of a
delicate nature, principally concerning
ladies of high rank and diamonds.
Madame herself was shor. and stout,
with a thoroughly English face, and in
deed, she had been DO II within the sound
of Bow Bells, but took her French name
for trade purposes. Her voice was sharp
and shrlll, and her black eyes bold and
piercing-a thorough woman Of business;
who knew the value of money and time.
SO wasted neither.
We'll, Mr.. Dowker, said madame,
when the detective had taken his seat in
her private office and closed the door,
what is the matter now? | was Just going
to send for yon.
What about" asked Dowker with a
sigh. More trouble:"
Yes. Lady Balscombe's run away with
Lord Calliston, and she owes me lot of
money, SO | want to know the chances of
getting paid.
ANY security" inquired the detective
oh, yes-I ~ not such a fool as to lend
ladies money without security" said
N dame, with shrill laugh. I've got
diamond necklace, but / think it belongs
to Sir Rupert Ralscombe part of the
family Jewels-I suppose Id better 90 and
see him
Il think that would be the wisest plan. :"
"Humph!" shifted the lady, frowning.
/ don't know On the one hand he may
pay me my money and redeem the neck
lace, on the other he may kick up a row,
and | don't want my dealing in this way
made public. Id have whole army Of
husbands down on me just like men
they go 10 the Jews themselves to get
ready money, and when their wives do a
bit of borrowing with their milliners they
make fuss"
Why not sell the necklace?
That's what Imlgoingto do as soon as
l hear from Lady Balscombe. l suppose
she'll be divorced and marry Calliston-
more fool she, for he's a scamp-then
she IL want to redeem the neck lace quiet
~, but l don't know where 10 write to her
Where have they gone to?'
| hear III a yacht to TIE Azores" said
Dowker, who knew everything; they'll
turn up again, I've 10 doubt-then yol
can see her.
What an idiot she was to give up such
fair POSITION, said madame, who looked
at the whole affair from purely worldly
point of view. She was nobody when
Sir rupert picked her up and he gave her
evervthing-she made ducks and brakes
OF his money-they fought, and the re-
suit Is she's gone off with Calliston,
man who is the biggest scamp in town.
Yes. know; got a little crib in st.
John Woods, said Dowker, who had no
hesitation III talking plainly to this wom-
an, who knew as much about fast life as
he did
SO hear; never saw bis mistress. but
hear she's a beautiful woman: there will
be row when she hears his latest esca-
pade: but he'll get tired of Lady Balls
connie and go back TO the St ] ohn's Wood
estahlishment-they always do"
Well the whole affair will end as
usual. said the detective with a sigh In
public scandal and divorce: but want
to see You about this. and taking the hat
out of the parcel he laid it before mad
black straw with brown and blue velvet
twisted together and caught on one side
with slender silver crescent
Yes, that's mine, said madame glanc-
ing at II. Rather good STYLE, / think
" hat do YOU want TO know"
lie name OF the person You sold Il TO.
Humph.-rather a difficult question TO
anSwer-some one might have bought it
and taken it away with them. but If they
lett an address III soon find ou.
She touched a bell and girl appeared
send Miss Brazil TO me-she'~ invalRa-
Bile. explained madame 10 powker when
the girl had vanished. Such a wonderful
memory, forgets nothing | find her use
flll III my deals with ladies q milliners
business Is not all comets and hats, as
We know.
It's more than the world does. le-
sponded Dowkcr with rs near an approach
10 smile as he allowed himself
Miss Brazil made her appearance and de
cided the question at once.
1t was sold TO a lady about two months
dSo-somewhere in St. Johns Wood"
Was It real lady asked nowkcr
Well. she was more like a servant, ."
responded Miss Brazil loubtfully. I
should say a lady'> maid.
Mas II sent:" asked madame impa-
tientlv
~ies-the address is in the book. an
swered Miss Brazil and went out to get the
look. In a few moments she returned
and announced:
LYDIA Fenny, Cleopatra Villa st.
Johns Mood
In spite of his habitual phlegm Dowker
started, on perceiving which madame
dismissed Miss Brazil at once.
Why do you START she asked curious
~ when the door had closed
powker sighed III his usual manner.
aud. taking out his handkerchief. twisted
il mp into hard ball. a sure sign that he
was impressed III some way.
tleopatra Villa is Lord talli>tou ;
place.
oh" said madame III rather an amazed
tone, what curious thing we should
have been speaking about him | sup
pose this Lydia Penny IS the ladys maid
there
Mas the lady,s maid, corrected Dow