The Saint Paul globe., 1904-10-30
Copyright. 1904,
BY
Harper s Brothers

color mantled her brow, but she took
the coin and slipped it into her glove.
.fWell?" she asked, her small chin de-
family uptilted.
II have only one question, !" said Indi-
man, earnestly Is there danger for
your
None in the world
Then am quite satisfied 2
She softened at that. "Only a rather
aggravating disappointment: it does not
matter now. But why will you men in
terfere in an unoffending woman's af-
fairs,
sT had no idea
ssOf course not However. we need not
enter further into particulars Your friend
in the orchestra stall yonder will doubt
less enlighten you later on. A stout
man with one ear distinctly larger than
the other deliberately faced about in his
seat and directed his glasses at our box.
Immediately upon this the curtain went
up on the last act, and his excelleney held
up his hand to command silence.
MADAME, said Indiman, as he handed
the Countess sGilda to her carriage, Il
swear to you that the blunder have I'M
Intentionally committed shall be atoned
for. I ask but a hint-the slightest OF
clews.',
with pleasure, monsieur. / give you.
therefore, the third appearance of the
Queen of Spades. Au revoir! We sail
tomorrow by the Cunarder."
The man with the disproportionate ears
touched Indimans elbow Beg pardon.
SIR" he said, deferentially, "but I shall
have to have a word or two with you.
We drove to the Utinam club and found
secluded corner. "Now, what is it.
officer?" said Indiman.
The detective looked rather sheepish.
"I'm afraid we've made mess of it be-
tween us. Case of political blackmai you
see. and the young lady thought she
could handle it herself. And so she could
have done If we hadn't butted in, beg
ging your pardon for so saying. =
"Get to the point.
.sWell, then, it's question of letter
belonging to a great person in Roosha-
written to or by her don't matter. The
letter Is here in New York, and it isn't
question OF money with the holder, but
power There's only one thing to do in
that case-steal it, and the countess
thought she could turn the trick. So she
went over on the Rooshan East side and
laid her pipes to stand next to the old
party who holds the precious document.
At the baron's request was detailed
from the central office and instructed to
keep my eyes on the young woman and
my hands off the case. Course, then,
l couldn't do neither. I lost the girl
when you walked off with her at the
housesmith's bazaar, and then / had to-
stick in my oar and answer your personal
in the Herald. I laid what thought was
pretty smart trap. You fell into 1t,
right enough
so you were the fellow who had me
searched and held up at my own front
door," said Indiman. "Confound your
impudence! What did you expect to get?''
.'Why, the letter. sir. I had figured it
out that you was the blackmailer.
"Oh, the deuce! And in the meantime
the real article had been put on his or her
guard by all this hullabaloo, and the
Countess Gilda's game was blocked.
That's it, sir. A mistake all round y
'I should think so. WE'LL there's Moth
ing more to be done. That's all you know
about the case?
Never heard of the Queen of Spades
in this Connection?
Never, SIR
.'WeH, good night. officer. Brownson's
your name, eh? shan't forget it.
"Good night, sir. !"
The night was fine and we walked home.
Over on Eighth avenue a masquerade
bill was in progress; we passed under the
brightly lit windows of the hall in which
it was held. A maSquer stood at the
door, woman dressed to impersonate
the Queen of Spades. She waved her hand
to Indiman, who had CHANGED to look up;
then she plucked rose from her bodice
and tossed it over to him. He caught
the flower, as becomes gallant man,
but Immediately walked ON.
''That was your cue-the Queen OF
Spades / said.
mot all. 1t is only the third time that
counts. First at the opera, now here;
the. final and only important appearance
is still to come
At the next corner a wretchedly clad
woman was grinding small barrel organ.
For the love of Mary!'' she whimpered,
and Indiman thrust something into her
waiting hand. He tried to hide the ac-
tion, but caught sight of the money-a
yellow backed bill bearing the magic fig
ures so.
..Did you notice the tuner, said Indi-
man, as we walked on. The Ninety and
Nine"
(To be continued)