The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-05-22
JIMMIE baxter. JOURNALIST.
BY ROBERT BARR,
V.-.-1le Prime Minister'S IldiSuetI0R.
Copyright, 1900, by Robert Barr.l

arose in her mind some agitation as TO
what the detective would think of her
sudden flight. She was convinced that,
up to the moment of leaving him so
abruptly, he had not the slightest sus-
picicn that she herself, to whom he was
then talking, was the person he had
been searching for up and down Eu-
rope. What must he think of one who,
while speaking with him, suddenly,
without word of leave taking, disap-
peared as if the earth had opened and
swallowed her, and all because the han
die of the door to the inner room had
turned? Then the excuse she had given
for not wishing to meet Lord Donal
must have struck him as ridiculously
inadequate. When she reached her desk
and reflected with more calmness over
the situation, she found no cause to
censure herself for her hasty departure
Although she had acted on sudden i'm
pulse, she saw there had been nothing
else to do. Another moment and she
would have been face to face with Lord
Donal himself.
Next day brought note from the
detective which somewhat treasured
her. He apologized for having made the
appointment without her permission
and explained that Lord Donal's une1-
pected arrival in London and his stub
born unbelief that it had been the prin-
cess herself whom he met at the ball
seemingly left the detective no alterna-
tive but to call on the person who had
so persistentiy advanced the theory, to
explain it to the one most Intimately
concerned. 1t had not occurred to him
at the time to think that Miss Baxter
might object to meet Lord Donal, who
was an entire stranger to her, but
now he saw where he was wrong,
etc. This note did much to convince
Jennie that, after all, the detective had
not seen the clews which appeared to
be spread so plainly before his eyes
Cadbury Taylor, however, said nothing
about the search being ended, and a
few days later Jennie received a dis
quieting letter from the Princess Won
Steinheimer.
''My dear Jennie, her highness
wrote, 81 am sure the detectives are
after you, and so thought it best to
send you word of warning. Of course
it is only surmise on my part, but for
days there has been woman lowering
about the castle, trying to get informa-
ton from my servants. My maid came
directly to me and told me what she
knew. The woman detective had spoken
to her. This inquisitive person, who
had come from Paris, wished particu-
larly to know whether had been seen
about the castle during the week in
which the Duchess of Chiselhurst's ball
took place, and so this leads me to sup
pose that some one is making inquiries
for you. 1t must be either Lord Donal
Stirling or the Duke of Chiselhurst, but
1 rather think it is the former. I have
written an indignant letter to Lord
Donal, accusing him of having caused
detectives to haunt the castle. I have
not yet received reply, but Lord Donal
is truthful person, and in day or
two I expect to find out whether or not
he has hand in this business Mean
while, Jennie, be on your guard, and I
will write you again as soon as have
something further to tell -
The reading of this letter greatly in
creased Jennie's fears, for she felt as
sured that, stupid as the men undoubt-
eddy were, they verged SO closely on the
brink of discovery that they were almost
certain to stumble upon the truth if
the Investigation were continued. She
wrote hurried note to the princess
imploring her to be cautious and not
inadvertently give any clew that would
lead to her discovery. Her letter evil
IDENTIFY crossed one from the princess
herself. Lord Donal had confessed, said
the letter, and promised never, never
to do it again. '.He says that before
my letter was received he had stopped
the detectives, who were doing no good
and apparently only annoying innocent
people. He says the search is ended, as
far as the detective is concerned, and
that ] need fear no more intrusions from
inquiry agents, male or female He
apologized very handsomely, but says
he has not given up hopes of finding
the lady who disappeared. And now,
Jennie, hope that you will admit my
cleverness. You see, that I only had a
word or two from my maid as clew,
but | unraveled the whole plot and at
once discovered who was the instigator
of it. So think l wouldn't make bad
detective myself. I am tremendously
interested in episodes like this. | believe
if had known nothing of the imper-
sonation and If the case had been put
in my hands should have discovered
you long ago. Can't you think of some
way in which my undoubted talent for
research may be made use of? You
don't know how much / envy you in
your newspaper Office always with
some mystery on hand to solve. 1t must
be like being the editor Of puzzle de-
partment. l wish you would let me
help you next time you have something
important to do. Will you promise?
"When you write again, please send
your letter to Vienna, as we are going
into residence there, my husband hav-
ing been unexpectedly called to the car
ital. He holds an important position in