The National tribune., 1899-09-21

% or 80. her facerpvals. her eyes large and
violet in color, possibly brown, her teeth
dazzlingly white. lher mouth straight-cut
| and strong, her maBnepjust a little swagger-
ing. as who should say" II know my gait and
place and don't YOU forget it," and general
air of contempt forithe world, with perhaps
a suggestion of teieranee for the men in il
that didn't extend to the women.
That she knew mo saw at once, although
she made no marked sign. OF course, she
had listened to the CONVERSATION of the night
before. 1 had had her kept under super
vision and intended toahold her as a wit
ness even if / had to detain her by more
strenuous measures than a subpoena.
She was dressed in aneatly-fitting black
gown with white shirt-waist under its
jaunty jacket, a hat of modest shape, a
little daring, but proper and rich enough.
A ring of opals and a diamond solitaire of
doubtful water graced her rather large but
shapely hands.
finished my breakfast and went out into
the hall, wondering whether Charlie might
not be on the lookout to meet me. | didn't
have anything to say to him; knew he
would look me up at the proper time and
he wasn't anywhere about, and [ strayed
into the parlor and sat down there to think
out the situation. 1t was all clear enough.
Mr.. Wright had robbed Mr.. Crawford, his
wife had helped him, the gambling maid
had advised and directed the whole affair,
and was to be the agent in the sale Of the
stolen goods. had my hand on the prop
erty, and could if necessary take the other
offenders or let them escape as the condi-
tions might require, and altogether said to
myself, summing up, Jane, you have done
very well" when the swish of skirts near me
aroused my attention as the gambling
maid drew chair near to me and said:
''Well, Mistress Special Agency Lady,
what have you done with Mrs. Wright, and
what new outrage are you planning?" 'a
"Madam!" cried, and being both startled
and angryl showed it, what do you mean
by addressing me thus?"
Madam me not at all, but answer my
question" she answered, and her brown
eyes took on a CLINT Of steel which awakened
all my antagonism, and for once in my pro-
carer lost my temper and l gave
her an answer that paled her powdered
cheek.
"As you insist upon knowing, will tell
you, but not for your comfort" 1 replied
slowly. II put her under arrest; have her
N safe keeping and I,have you under sur
veillance. When arrest you it will not be
% treat you with any kind Of consideration
such as have extended to her"
why, you are a very amusing person,
the said laughing, "and when shall be
,onored by being your prisoner, and for
ghat?"
/ was about to tell her when Charlie came
o the door. He was very pale, and held in
lis hand piece of telegraph type ribbon
'aper torn, as I saw, from the ticker. He
leld it towards me and my eyes caught the
ines: Frederick Crawford was found dead
n his dressing-roo : this forenoon at
Overlook He had committed suicide
II had been murdered, the local police are
Unable to say which. He was a highly |
espected citizen Of old family and liberal
ortune, the robbery of whose art treasures
. few weeks ago was the sensation Of the
iour" II
Then fell down, my house Of cards.
aw how all my theories had failed-how
Erong had been, and that a darker crime
emained behind the first one of such lesser
n cold-blooded murder
lad been perpetrated. My nerves, which
lad been shaken little by the audacity Of
he woman who sat in front Of me, became
S steel, and / saw my duty before me:
Madam" said, "you asked me upon
yhat grounds 1 should arrest you. I will
ell you in distinct terms. For completely
n the murder Of Frederick Crawford and
rrest you now."