New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-08

f0rt
parsons wife" N%
Il ave. and the parson. too" said his con.
panion. expectorating contemptuously. Els
daisy: big as a 'ouse. smooth. red faced, a.
oily in the pulpit: an didn't e give 'er bess.
walking Ome, | card i'm
The tall man stopped and looked into shon
windows in Great Turnste. Mr. Hedgeter WOW,
on to Bedford Row, and asked for Mr. Bles,
with a somewhat exaggerated air Of confideno~
and pompOsity.
Mr. Best stood on the hearthrug looking ve,,
hot and merry BUS. Mr.. Hedgeter held out ~
hand. but ne waved him back
you have brought letters?' he asked brieav
An you nave the notes." said the oth
doggedly. Il came here. as you wouldn't com
where wanted you to, trusting to your honors
Did you?" said Mr.. Blest dryly. Then. a.
put no trust in your honor Mrs. Smythe WIN
identify the letters"
He touched he bell and with a rapidity rare,
seen off the stage when bells rung Mn
Smythe appeared through door behind N,
Hedgeter. He held them up to her one by one
battered worn strips Of foreign note paper tha;
she looked at mournfully. Still she had wonder.
full nerve: her voice hardly shook as she said
simply. There are two more. the two th..
were in these envelopes"
There amt" said Mr.. Hedgeter.
There are" said Mr.. Blest, nterposing and
n they are not produced this matter cannot pro.
coed"
Then it's no deal" said Mr.. Hedgeter. folding
up the battered pieces Of paper
you scounircl," exclaimed Mr. Blest. "do
servtude?"
IF she likes to tell her husband it nigh,
mean something Of the sort" replied Mr. He'd.
gcter cOolly.
But she has" exclaimed Mrs Smythe and
Mr.. Best touched his bell again.
Drop it," exclaimed Mr. Hedgeter turning
little pale. you don't blun me-"
He heard step behind him. and heavy
hand was laid upon his shoulder
you scounireli" said a deep mellow voice
Let me Introduce Mr.. Smythe" said Mr.
BEST. who seemed 10 have recovered his nerve:
and let me remark that Detective. Sergeant
Drewtt. u the Metropolitan Police. Is WAITING
downstairs till ring again"
Mr. lledgeter's face turned a dirty yellow
only his nos" retained any redress and that
adopted A bluer tint that made il almost purp.
You just read these" ne said vicously hold.
Ing out the letters. Mr. Smythe was tall. stout
and his hair was tinged with gray: but his
fingers must have been very strong for Mr.
Iiclgeter writhed in his grasp without his Seem.
ing to Exert himself
Don't. darling" murmured Mrs smyth.
warningly. Her voice seemed to recall 10 her
husband the necessity for being calm
Put them on the table" he said IN his boom.
Ing deep Voice and then. as Mr. Hedgat,,
IN" 'hanlcally Obeyed. he loosed his hold up1r
him and went and stood by Mrs. Smy,he Win
II know all and believe my wife: lear
est" he added. drawing her toward him do
not trernble" ~
Mr. BEST interviewed in incisve tones
w MT - more. MT. ana Mrs. Smythp have
decided 20 prosecute: whether On The 4urrende,
OF the remaining letters they might in any vav
vary thar decision | am not in a position 10
say.
Mr. HcdEet"r looked at them. The clergyman
WAS gazing into his wfes eyes bending owe,
hef. Sh" was looking very pretty Then thsv
both turned and faced him
Sergeant Drewitt can accompany Won IA
fetch IN" others" said Mr.. Blest shifting his
position lmpaticnty
Here they are said Mr. Hpdc,tar sulapIv
laying two more slips Of paper IN the table
Mrs. Sinyth" stepped forward and nodded Mr.
OF his safe. threw them in and Iet Tho doos
clang upon them And there they will re-
main h" remarked In his most acid tones
Ana now. said Mr.. Sinythe 70 his wife
I'VE will go and have luncheon together
She smiled little embarrassed smile "You
know | have 20 go 10 my drcssmaker's" she
said. and you have TO talk to Mr. Blest"
He looked a little disappointed AS she hurried
from the room
Mr. Hcdgeter. almost forgotten. broke in
And amt 10 have anything? Not even
'ivcr ror my services in recovering your
papers' he asked. almost weeping
Sergeant Drewitt is still downstairs" re-
marked Mr.. Best. stretching his hand toward
his bell. but Mr. IIcdgeter was already vanish.
ing through the door. Five minutes later he
was b"ing cursed in I.ncoln's Inn Fields by
tail man VINO listened 10 his story and until
ne had heard all the details twice over re-.
fused 10 believe him. And around Mr. Blests
room 4 stout gentleman in clerical dress danced
three TIM -. while Mr.. EieSt hramcd through
his gold trimmed spcctacles
Didn't do II well. uncle and oughtn't you
to give mo the credit OF IT," he shouted "and
won't you romr and see Dandy Dick and ISM
All this padding hot. JUST | say" he added
thoughtfully. Il was all right. wasn't I just
as | should De-. eh' mean couldn't have
done any more. could l."
CERTAINLY not said Mr. Best decsively:
and now yoL had better finish that abstract
abstracts"
She ought to have let me stand her luncheon
ch! Fancy Inc in this rig at the Savoym
4 LOST OPPORTUNITY