Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1900-06-07

The handle Of the inner room turned.
had not betrayed herself although she
was not blind to the fact that her escape
was due more to good luck than to any
presence of mind Of her own, which had
nearly deserted her at one or two points
in the conversation. When Mr.. Hard
wick saw her he asked how IN, Oh space
he would have to reserve for the TO-
nance in high life. But she told him
there was nothing in the case. so far as
she could see to interest any sane
reader.
Here matters rested for fortnight.
Then the girl received an urgent note
from Cadbury Taylor asking her to
call at his Office next day promptly at
o. clock. 1t WAS very important, he said,
and he hoped she would on no account
disappoint him. Jennie first impulse
was not to 90, but she was so anxious
to learn what progress the detective had
made in the case, fearing that at last
he might have got on the right track,
that she felt it would be unwise to take
the risk of not seeing him. If his sus-
piCions We're Feally aroused her absence
might serve as an excuse 10 confirm
them. Exactly at o'clock next after
noon she entered his office and found
him, to her relief alone. He sprang mp
from his table on seeing her and said in
whisper. Il am 80 glad You have
come. | am in rather quandary. Lord
Donal Stirling is in London on flying
visit. He called here yesterday"
The girl caught her breath, but said
nothing.
Il explained TO him the reasons
have for believing that it was actually
the Princess Won Steinheimer whom he
met at the Duchess of Chiselhurst'
ball He laughed at me. there was no
convincing him. He said that theory
was more absurd than sending him
the picture of a housemaid rs that of
the lady he had met at the ball. | used
all the arguments which you had used
but he brushed them aside as of no
consequence, and somehow the case did
not appear to be as clear as when you
propounded your theory
"Well, what then 90 asked the girl
"Why, then | asked him to come up
here at O clock and hear what an as
sistant of mine would say about the
case.
AT o'clock 80 cried the girl in ter
ror. Then he may he here at any mo-
ment.
He is here now; he is in the next
room. Come in, and | will introduce
you, and then | want you to tell him
all the circumstances which lead you
to believe that ii was the princess her
self whom he met. am sure You can
place all the points before him So terse-
ly that You will succeed in bringing
} him round to your own way of think
ing. You will try, won you, Miss
Baxter? 1t will be very great oblige.
ment to me.
"Oh, no. no, no." cried the girl. y
am rot going To admit to any one that
/ have been acting as detectives as
2 sistant You had no right to bring me
here. Unjust goat once If had known
this, | would not have come.
1T won't take YOU five minutes, Fl"
: pleaded Cadbury Taylor. He is at this
, moment waiting for YOU | told him
you would be here al t.
+ Il can't help that. You had no right
+ to make an appointment for me with
2 out my knowledge and consent.
/ Taylcr was about to speak when the
t handle Of the inner room turned.
4 Il say, detective, remarked Lord
e Donal in voice of some irritation,
4 "you should have assistants who are
more punCtual | am very busy man
I and must leave for st. Petersburg to-
4 night SO | can't spend all my time in
l your office, you know,
3 Il am sure | beg your pardon, my
Y lord, " said the detective, with great OBJ
Z righteousness, This young lady has
! some objections to giving her views,
o but | am sure you will be able 10 per
suade her '--
lie turned, but the place at his side
n was vacant The door in the hall was
, open, and the girl had escaped as she
r saw the handle of the inner door turn.
i Taylor looked blankly at his client with
Z dropped jaw. Lord Donal laughed
o Your assistant seems to have disap-
G peared as completely as the lady at the
e ball Why not set your detectives on
d her track; Perhaps she will prove to be
t the person ! am in search of.
Il am very sorry, my lord, Fl" STAN
b mered the detective.
"Oh, don e mention il | am sure Won
II have done all that could be done wiz
/ the very ineffective clews which unit