Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1902-08-29
Copyright, 1925, by Robert Bonner's Sons


dows, nor even the re1ection of one
of them in the glass over the mantel-
piece. However, she knew better than
to argue with detective. She walked
to the windows, one after The other,
and looked out.
II don't see anybody" said she. ut
may have been one Of the urchins of
the place, peeping In out Of curiosity.
This room is not much used, and the
Nght may have attracted him."
Every likely, ma'am."
"And now what is there we can do
,or you, for, of course, you have come
w business?'
"Why, yes, ma'am. Things look very
black against your young lady friend
yonder."
And he nodded In the direction Of
the Blue Lion.
"Now, Mr.. Hemming, I will not hear
4 word against that girl" said Miss
Bostal, with sudden warmth II tell
you the notion is absurd that the child
should have had anything to do with
1t. And I am surprised to hear such
preposterous suggestion from a man of
your discernment."
The detective looked down at his hat
"It does you credit, ma'am, to take
her part" he said, rather dryly. "Still,
there are some questions / must ask
the colonel, if he will give me five
minutes. And I'm sure shall be glad
enough to help clear her.
MY father will see you, am sure"
said Miss Bostal. promptly, going to
the door. Because he is as sure as l
am that all light on this matter is in
Miss Claris's interest"
And, rather resentfully glancing at
him as she went out, she crossed the
tagged passage, and told her
father that the London detective
wished to see him.
"Show him in here" Hemming
heard the colonel answer. in tones
much more disturbed than his daugn'
ter's.
Miss Theodore ushered Hemming in
to the dining-room, which looked snug
and warm after the cold baroness of
the state apartment; and then she left
the two men together.
1--WE come to ask you. SIR" said
Hemming, when he had apologized for
intruding, whether you have any fire.
arms stored away about the house,"
Firearms? No, certainly not" an.
swered the colonel in tone of indig-
nation which showed that he scented
Hemming's desire to connect his prop
erty with the outrage.
"No offense, sir" said Hemming, per-
suasively. "But 1 am bound to make
inquiries, as you know. l see you've
got trophy on The wall outside, with
spears. a long Afghan gun. and"
"Why, that gun would do more harm
to tie man who fired it than it would
to anything he fired at?'
"And there's an old pistol there, too.
May | look at that?"
Certainly you can, If you choose"
The detective availed himself of the
permission, and brought into the room
from the place where they had hung
on the wall of the passage, the Afghan
gun, short and heavy camel-gun, and
the pistol in question. 1t was an old
cavalry pistol, of obsolete pattern.
This weapon Hemming proceeded to
handle with interest.
Take care" said the colonel, sud-
denly ducking his head as the detec-
tive held it up and put his hand on the
trigger. "It's loaded"
II think not" answered Hemming,
quietly.
And he pulled the trigger three or
four times without effect. The colonel
jumped up.
why" cried he. 81 loaded it myself
the other day! l was showing the la
dies how it was used, and 1 know
loaded it before 1 put it back in its
place"
ALI" said Hemming, more dryly
than ever cts been used since then,
sir. Will you show me the bullets you
have by you? 1 want to compare them
with one at the Stroan police station"
why, man, you don't mean to say
you suppose"
That you showed it to the ladies to
some purpose? I'm afraid l do, SIR"