The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1895-06-28

the voice ana CufneQ TO greet Jn6 speak
er The man was Mr.. Leroy Mitchel's s
English valet Contrary to all precedent
and tradition, he did not speak in cock
ney dialect, not even stumbling over the
proper distribution of the letter "h'
throughout his vocabulary. That he was
English, however, was apparent to the
ear because of a certain rather attract
i've accent, peculiar to his native island,
and to the eye because of a deferential
politeness of manner. too seldom OBJ
served in American servants. He also
always called Mr.. Barnes inspector, !"
oblivious to the fact that heswas not a
member of the regular police and mind
full only of the English application Of
the word to detectives.
"Step right in, Williams" said Mr..
Barnes. "What is the trouble?"
81 don't rightly know, inspector, !"
said Williams "Won't you let me speak
to you alone? It's about the master"
Certainly. Come into my private
room."
He led the way, and Williams fol-
lowed, remaining standing, although
Mr.. Barnes waved his hand toward a
chair as he seated himself in his usual
place at his desk. "Now, then," con-
tinued the detective, whats wrong?
Nothing serious, I hope?"
81 hope not, sir. indeed. But the mas
ter's Disappeared"
Disappeared, has he?'' Mr.. Barnes
smiled slightly. "Now, Williams, what
do you mean by that? You did not see
him vanish, eh?'
''No, sir, of course not. If you'll ex-
cuse my presumption, inspector, don't
think it joke, sir, and you're laugh
ing. "
''All right, Williams, answered Mr..
Barnes, assuming a more serious tone.
81 will give your tale my sober consid-
Grafton. Proceed"
"Well, l hardly know where to be-
gin. inspector. But I'll just give you
the facts without unnecessary opinions
of my own.
Williams rather prided himself upon
his ability to tell what he called 'a
straight story" He placed his hat on
chair, and standing behind it, with one
foot resting on rung, checked off the
points of his narrative as he made them
by tapping the palm of one hand with
the index finger Of the other.
''To begin. then," said he, ''Mrs.
Mitchell and Miss Rose sailed for Eng
land on Wednesday morning of last
week. That same night, quite unexpect-
ed, the master says to me, says he,
Williams, think you have a young
woman you're sweet on down at New
port?' Well, sir, says I, I do know q
person as answers to that description
though l must say to you, inspector,
that how he ever came to know it beats
me. But that's aside, and depression is
not my habit We'll, Williams, the
master went on, 4 shan't need you for
the rest of this week, and if you'd like
to take o trip to the seashore shan't
mind standing the expense and letting
you 60. Of course thanked him very
much, and went, promising to be back
on Monday morning. as directed. And
kept my word, inspector. though it was
a hard wrench to leave the young person
last Sunday i'll time to catch the boat,
the moon being bright and everything
most propitious for stroll, it being her
Sunday off and all that. But, as l said,
! kept my word and was up to the house
Monday morning only little after Z,
the boat having got in at 6. was o
little surprised to find that the master
was not at home, but then it struck nae
as how he must have gone out OF town
over Sunday, and looked for him to be
in at dinner But he did not come to
dinner, nor at all that night. Still l did
not worry aboAt it. it was the masters
privilege to stay away ias long as he
liked, only / could not help thlnking I
might just as well have had that stroll
in the moonlight Sunday night. But
when all Tuesday and Tuesday night
went by and no word from the master
must confess | got uneasy, and now
here's Wednesday noon, and no news,
SO just took the liberty to GaR}s down
and ask your opinion in the matter, ses-
ing as how you are a particular friend
of the family and an inspector to boot. "
Really, Williams. said Mr.. Barnes,
''all ! see in your story is that Mr..
Mitchell, contemplating a little trip off
away. He expected to be back by Nom
day, but, enjoying himself, has remain
ed longer.
II hope that's all, sir, and I've tried
to think so. But this morning l made a
few Investigations of my own, and I'm
bound to say what ] found don't fit that
theory"
"Ah, you have some more facts
What are they?"
Zone of them is this dispatch, that
found only this morning under book
on the table in the library" He handed
. blae paper to Mr.. Barnes, who took it
and read the following Oh cable blank:
Emerald. Danger. Await letteE.
For the first time during the intef-
view Mr.. Barnes face assumed really
serious expression. He studied the dis
patch silently for full minute and
then, without raising his eyes, said:
"What else?"
"Well, inspector, l don't know that
this iiss anything to do with the affair,
but the master had a curious sort of
jacket, made of steel links. sc sight and
so closely put together that I've often
wondered what it was for. Once made
Sc bold as to ask him. and he said, said
he. Williams, if l had an enemy, it
would be good idea &c Eaar that, be-
cause it will stop bullet or kniTs,
Then he laughed and went on: OF
coats6 / shan't need it for myself. l
bought it whsa was abroad once, mere