Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1902-08-14

$1,000 ne COulu sec neltner OF the VIII
dows, nor even the reflection 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.
I II don't see anybody" said she. at
may have been one Of the urchns of
the place. peeping in out Of curiosity.
This room is not much used, and the
Wight may have attracted him."
Every likely, ma'nm."
"And now what is there we can do
,or you, for, Of course, you have come
~ business?
why, yes, ma'am. Things look very
| black against your young lady friend
yondcr."
And he nodded in the direction Of
! the Blue Lion.
"Now, Mr.. Hcmming, will not hear
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
It. And am surprised to hear such a
prepostcrous suggestion from man of
your discernment."
The detective looked down at his hat.
at 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 rs she went out, she crossed the
stone-flagged passage, and told her
father that the London detective
wished to see him.
"Show him in here" Hemmlng
heard the colonel answer. In tones
much more disturbed than his daugh-
tors.
Miss Theodera ushered Hemmng 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.
i've 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
HemminS's desire to connect his prop
erty with the outrage.
mo offcnse, sir" said IIemming, per-
suasively. "But l am bound to make
inquiries, as you know. l see you've
got trophy on the wall outside, with
spears, long Afghan gun, and"
why that gun would do more harm
to the man who fired it than 1t 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. Its 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, Il loaded it myself
the other day! l was showing the la
dies how it was used, and know I
loaded it before put it back in it's
place"
| "Ah," said Hemming, more dryly
than ever, ''its been used since then,
sir. Will you show me the bullets you
have by you? 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? Pm afraid l do, SIR"