Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1893-01-13

MS small sitting room, which he found
looking as usual-the fire burning dull
and dusty in the sunlight that struck
in through the open windows and his
breakfast laid out on the table.
Almost treasured, he went to the
cupboard and unlocked the door. Alas.
it held its skeleton-the statue was there
preserving the attitude of queenly COM
mand in which he had seen it at first.
Sharply he shut the door again and
turned the key with heavy heart.
He swallowed his breakfast with very
little appetite, after which he felt he
could not remain in the house. ITO sit
here with that in the cupboard is more
than am eGuaI to all Sunday" he de-
cided
If Matilda had been at his aunt's.
with whom she lodged, he would have
not return from her holiday till late that
night. He thought of going to his
friend and asking his advice on his case.
James, as a barrister's clerk, would pre-
Isumabiy be able to give sound legal
opinion on an emergency.
James. however, lived "out Camden
town way" and was certain on so fine
a morning to be away on some Sunday
expedition with his betrothed; it was
he went to see his aunt, who lived close
by in Millman street, she might ask
him about the ring, and there would be
a fuss. He was in no humor for at
tending any place Of public worship.
and so he spent some hours in aimless
wandering about the streets, which, as
foreigners are fond of reminding us,
are not eXhilarating even on the bright
est Sabbath, and did not raise his spir-
it's then.
At last hunger drove him back to the
passage in Southampton Row, the more
quickly as it began to occur to him that
the statue might possibly have revived
and be creating disturbance in the
cupboard.
He had passed the narrow posts and
was just taking out his latch key when
some one behind touched his shoulder
and made him give Il guilty jump. He
| dreaded to find the goddess at his Shout
der. However, to his relief, he found
male stranger, plainly and respectfully
dressed.
You are Mr.. Tweddle, the hair
drcsser?' the stranger inquired.
| Leander felt a wild impulse to deny
it and declare that he was his own
friend and had come to see himself on
business, for he was in no social mood
| just then; but he ended by admitting
4J,ot bo h NT,,
$50 did l. Well, / want little pri-
vate talk with you, Mr.. Tweddle. I've
| been hanging about for some time, but
| though l knocked and rang I couldn't
| make a soul hear"
There isn't a soul inside" protested
| Tweddle, with unnecessary warmth,
mot a solitary soul! You wanted to
talk with me. Suppose we take Il turn
round the square,"
NO, no; [ won't keep you Out-IH
come in with YOU
| InWardly wondering what his visitor
! wanted Leander led him in and lit the
gas i'll his haircutting saloon. 1--WE
shall be cosier here" he said, for he
dared not take the stranger up in the
room where the statue was concealed
for fear of accidents.
| The man sat down in the operating
chair and crossed his legs. Il dare say
you're wondering what I've come about
like this on Il Sunday afternoon?" he
began.
| ''Not at ALL" said Leander; anything
I can have the pleasure Of doing for
YOU
! It's only to ask a few questions. 1
understand you lost ring at the Rosh-
erwich Gardens yesterday evening;
that's so, isn't it,"
F! He was a military-looEing person, as
Leander now perceived, and he had
close trimmed iron-gray beard, a high
color, quick eyes and q stiff, hard
Tipped mouth-nOt at all the kind of a
man to tri1e with. And yet Leander
felt no inclination to tell him his story;
the stranger might be a reporter, and
his adventure would "get into the
papers" reach Matilda's eyes.
II dropped a ring last night, GER
tainly," he said; lit may have been in
the gardens, for what | know"
! ''Now, now," said the stranger, don't
you know it was in the gardens? Tell
me all about it.
Begging your pardon" said Ieander,
Il should like to know what call you
have to be told"
! You are quite right-perfectly right.
always deal straightforwardly when ]
can. I'll tell you who am. I'm In
spector Bilbow, Of the Criminal Investi-
cation Department, Scotland Yard.
Now, perhaps you'll see I'm not man
to be kept in the dark. And [ want you
to tell me when and where you last saw
that ring of yours; it's to your own in
terest, if you want to see it again"
! But Leander had seen it again, and
it seemed certain that all Scotland Yard
could not assist him III getting it back;
he must manage it single-handed.
Its very kind of you, Mr.. Inspector,
to Try and find it for me-" he said; ''but
the fact is, it-ain't so valuable as I
fancied. I can't afford to have it
! traced-it's not worth it.
The inspector laughed. II never said
it was, that / know. The job I'm in
charge of is a bigger concern than your
trumpery ring, my friend
The officer had taken his measure by
this time; he must admit his man into
a show of confidence and appeal to his
vanity if he was to obtain any fnfor-
nation he could rely upon.
"Yor'ra Shraw6 chan T see. moth