The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-13

| who had got the pink Persian in a basket
took the reins of power. 1 handed over my
command very cheeerfully.
Come" she said. ''we're going to de-.
liver this thing. whatever it is. that
! wrote this. So Mr.. Kelly. you come to
the door with me. and we'll talk to that
cats mistress about the pink cat until
we get an entrance. then well make
plan. You two others can patrol round
the house and come if we whistle Quick!
out of the way, she's coming
We slipped round the corner OF the por-
tico Just before the door opened. We
heard a short parleyiIg between Yvette's
voice and the deep bass of the fend house
keeper. and then the door shut sudden
ly. Peeping round the corner. We saw no
one left in the portico. and I became for
the first time anxious about Yvette, and
wished l had not let her venture without
me into the den.
There's where the cat escaped" said
to Jack. pointing toward the gutter
He screwed up his eyes. staring at the
place.
All" he murmured that's it. Is it?"
and he spat on his hands thoughtfulIy.
and measured the wall with his eye.
I'm not a man of action, so I fol-
lowed him obediently to the inner
courtyard. which he suggested we should
visit. There he disappeared under q straw
loft. and emerged with long ladder,
which We carried away between US with
out any surface Indication of disap-
prevail from a stone deaf and venerable
hind who was summing himself seated on
the shaft of long disused cart l felt
that he must be the husband of the wom-
an We had seen in the yard on our last
visit. We carried it back. l say. and.
acting under Jacks direction. and with
Jacks rather grudgingly yielded as
sis'ance. I planted II against the wall
Wait a bit" said Jack.
While I waited a bit he ran up the
rungs, and. laying hold of the coping
stones. swung himself up and disap-
peared among the gables. would have
followed him. but he had desired me TO
wait, and Yvette might want my help, !
and l was not certain that l could do !
that swinging up business. In FIVE min !
utes by my Waterbury he came back, |
dorpping to the ground like squirrel.
Come on to the house lie cried. !
excitedly; I've spoken with hlm-Lord, |
Lord"
We turned the corner again Just as the |
door opened.
Come in quick. quiek!" called (
Yvette, and we followed her down the |
passage at the double.
In the picture gallery the housekeoper. I
trembling WitFHage, stood before an open !
door in the hall like a black silk lioness
guarding the entrance TO her cavernous
private life.
ITS a secret door" whispered Yvette.
II found the spring because that knob OF
the carving was so worn and shiny. and
touched it. but"
P. C. Kelly was facing her like man.
though exhausted by remonstrances. He
hailed my approach with the unfounded
but polite statement that l was a magis-
trate. For constable I thought this
good point OF cunning. but It drew on me
the beetllng glance OF the housekeeper.
He" said shssrecognizing me at ence,
that he aren't Hes stroller
And at that moment Jack, who had
lurked behind me, sprung under her arm
and dashed up the little staircase behind
the panel door. With positive roar of
anger, the woman made as though she
would follow him when the determination
faltered. and she said mildly:
Take him and lock him up yourself,
then. Now, what were you saying about
my pussy cat? He's not had a drop of
lye for three days. poor thing
While P. G. Kelly paused to answer her
Yyette and crept after Jack up the stair,
which ended In a little lobby and few