The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-06-25


which the mystery, when solved might have from
newspaper standpoint. OF course I wished to gain
his assistance so that he might, perhaps, persuade
you to help me in this matter"
He seems to be quite willing that / should lend
what aid can" said Jennie, "but must have full
particulars before promise. L have good deal Of
work on hand and unless this is interesting
from newspaper point of view as you have just
said, don't think that 1 should to touch it."
oh you will find it Of great INTEREST,"" the de-
teetlve assured her, with much eagerness at
Iates to the sudden and hitherto unexplained dsap-
pearanee of woman. That of itself is absorbing.
for | may tell you, having large experience,
that there is nothing difficult in this world than
for any person. and more especially for woman,
to disappear entirely and leave no trace behind"
Il should have thought it quite easy said Jen-
ME, especially in large city like London"
You have given expression to the universal opn.
ion, but pledge you my word that completely sue
cessfu disappearance is of the most rare events
that we detectives have to meet within our line of
investigation"
please tell ME the story" said the girl "Then
we can speak more Understandings about it,
The detective selected packet of papers, one of
many which occupied the end Of his table. He
slipped from it rubber band which held the docu-
ments together.
'The first act of the drama, If we may call it so.
began at the Duchess Of Chiselhurst's ball."
ME- with shudder. ooh, dear!"
The detective looked up at her.
why do you say Oh DEAR? " he asked.
Because, said the girl YEARLY, 81 am tired to
death of the Duchess of Chiselhurst's ball. There
to have been nothing else in the papers for
weeks past
1T has excited a great deal of comment" assent
ed the detective. and, by the way. the Daily Buge
had of the best accounts Of 1t that was printed
in any newspaper
$50 1 have heard" said Jennie carelessly @'but
must confess that 1 didn't read that copy of the
Bugle."
You me! I should have thought that
would have been the first part of the paper to which
any lady would turn However, the report of the
ball has nothing to do with what we have in hand
Now, you remember the Princess Steinheinler
at whose castle had first the pleasure of meeting
your
'You had the pleasure of meeting ME before that"
said Jennie speaking for the first time without Civ
g ing thought to what she said.
Realty" cried the detective. dropping his papers
the table. "And where was that?"
"Oh. well. as you have just said it has nothing
to do with this ease! Perhaps was wrong in say
ing you 1t would be more correct to say
that saw you. You must remember that you
public character Mr.. Taylor"
"Ah. quite so!' said the detective eOmplacently
turning to his documents again. "Now. the Princess
Stenheimer invited to the Duchess Of CHS
elhursts ball, but she did not attend it"
'"Are you of that2" said the girl 81 thought
her among the list Of those present.
at in the list, and that is just where our
mystery begins. Some else attended the ball az
Princess Steinheimer 1t is this person that 1
wish to find"
"Ah! Then you are employed by the Duke of
ChiselhurstT'
NO am not for strangely enough believe the
duke thinks actually the princess who attended
the ball. Only man knows that the princess was
not present and two Of the latter
is the Princess Stenheimer and the other the
lady who impersonated her. The is Lord
Donal Stirling. Lord Donal has done the honor
to place the in my hands"
"Why does his 1ordship wish to find ths-this-
fraudulent person. asked Jennie, speaking slowly
and with difficulty
Because" said the detective with the air of
man who knows whereof he speaks, she is in love
with her"
What makes you think that?"
"I don't think it. 1 know it. Listen to his
description of her"
The detective chose paper from among his pile
of documents folded labeled and doeketed for refer
enee
s.1he girl is of average height or perhaps trife
taller than the average carries herself superbly like
a born duchess Her eyes of deep velvety
black -
Dear mel" cried the girl. HE describes her as
If she were cat"
wait moment said the detective
81 don't much trace Of love in that" continued
Jennie breathessly. 'Th
"Wait momentr repeated the detective They
light up and sparkle with merrment, and they melt
into the most enhancing tenderness
"Cfood gracious!' cried Jennie. rising. 1.-THE
ceit of the is limitabIe Does he mean to i'll
innate that he tenderness for himself in the
eyes of a woman he had met for an hour two?"
@That's just it," said the detective, laughing.
'sYeu see the is head in love. Please
sit down again, Miss Baxter. and listen know this
sentimental kind of writing must be irksome a
practical woman like yourself, but in our business
cannot neglect the slightest detail Let's see.
where was I?-tenderness,' OH yes Her hair is Of
midnight darkness, inclined to ripple with little
whffs curls imperiously defying restraint about
her temples Her complexion is pure as the down,
touched now and then with blush delicate the
petal of rose
"Absurd!' cried Jennie impatentIy. 1.-THE COM
plexion of a woman at ball! OF she put it
on for the OCCASION.
ssOf eourca aoreei fhe detective s'But that