The Washington times., 1904-11-13
CHAPTER THIRD.


Singleton" 10 make my first appearance
" tuxedo. A genuine detective does
not 20 in for that sort Of thing. He con-
tinued 10 scatter articles of clothing
about the room until with an eXclama-
tion of satisfaction, he laid his hands on
a somewhat worn light blue suit that
had been slowed away in the extreme
rear OF the closet From the bottom
or chiffonier he produced tennis
shirt, and under the shelf at one end OF
the closet found a pair of russet shoes.
When he had completed his toilet he
surveyed his general appearance IN a
glass with much satisfaction. To a criti-
cal observer the get-up might show the
ear-marks OF studied carelessness, but
he felt confident that anyone not too
keenly observant would conclude that
his costume was in keeping with his
usual manner Of dressing
A few minutes OF brisk walking
brought him 10 the residence on Mas
sachuSetts Avenue TO which Mrs. Alex
ander and her daughter had returned
from the country home He rang the
bell and told the man 10 say TO Mr.. Sin
gletOn, who was he believed with Mrs.
Alexander that Mr. Higgins was out
side waiting 20 see him. He chuckled
with satisfaction Al the eOntemptuous
manner oi the servant who closed the
door While he went 10 deliver the mes
sage In q tew minutes he returned and
told the visitor TO enter and ushered
him into the library.
Mr.. Singleton arose with evident en-
tarrassment, and. turning TO the two
ladies. said: Permit me-that IS 10
say-thIs- -er-person is the detective Of
D. In
permission I VIII ask him 20 be seated. p
His son Couteuted mself with an on
hand Dow. and seated himself in rock
ing chair which he tilted backward and
forward as If very self-consciOus. Out
OF the corner Of one eve he made a care
ful study OF the girl who was standing
one the other side Of the room. and who
had uot looked .u his direction since
the first glance she had given him at
his entrance. Ills covert study satisfied
him thar the young lady was quite as
prepossessHg as the description OF his
father had led 10 believe. He woudertd
ii she would ever be induced 10 treat him
as fl person 10 hold conversation with
while he continued his masquerade. ana
commenced TO regret his decision 20 ap-
pear before her in the role OF pro-
fessional detective.
Mr.. Singleton cleared his throat and
addressed himself 90 his son. Il have
learned Mr.-Mr.--'
Higgins is the name. prompted hls
sen.
Precisely 1 have learned. Mr. Hig-
gins, since / last spoke 10 you that
since the return Of Mrs. Alexander and
Miss Alexander 70 this house there has
been an attempt ar robbery made. that
is absolutely ineXplicablc. The robbers.
or r0bber. gained access TO the house.
and, passing over what might have been
valuable booty, proceeded directly 10 tic
room of Miss Alexander, where an at
tempt was made 10 ehlOrOfOrm that
young lady. which. fortunately. proved
unsuccessful. as a result Of her detec-
ton OF the presence Of some one in
her room and her personal bravery and
presence OF mind
Robert Singleton was thoroughly
startled by the unexpected news.
I'm Miss Alexander room" he ex-
claimed How was that accomplished?
Mas not the door lOcked?'
'.rhe r0bbyr he'd secured a duplicate
Key IN some manner. replied his father
A slight noise he made in entering
awakened the young lady. ana she
sp4aug 10 the floor before the man could
reach the bed. He seized her. but she
eluded his grasp and screamed for as
sistRuce That frightened him and he
ran from the room and made his escape
before he could bo intercepted. Miss Al
cxander's cousin. Mr.. BlackfOrd. was
the first 10 reach her, but by that time
The rObber had escaped.
How did ne get into the house" asked
the young man.
Apparently through window al the
back OF the house Oh the first floor. re-
piled the lawyer. 1t was found open I
and with the rastenings torn on"
you say the man seized Miss Alex
anderT' inquired his son. Was the /
young lady injuredT'
Al The question the subject of their /
conversation gave him a second look. I
and there was a suggestion OF resent 4
ment In her manner 0ccasioned by the
apparent air OF concern that the man
she knew as a detective had allowed 10
chow in his inquiry. Ars. Alexander
answered.
YES" she said my daughters arm
was bruised by the brute's rough clutch
il has left marks upon her arm
Might l look al the bruises2" asked
The young man. 1T may help me 10
some Information as 10 her assailant." -"
he added by way of explanation
Miss Alexander hesitated a moment
and then advanced 10 the side OF the
table. barring her forearm on which she
exhibited several marks and one place
where the skin had been rubbed OF by
the rough grasp Of the burglar Young
Singleton held her arm very gently as he
examined the injuries and a half smoth-
cred exclamation Of anger escaped him
as he noted the effects OF the brutal
clutch On the soft white flesh. He re-
leased her arm and stepped back Il
really beg your pardon" he said For
a moment her glance met his ana a
slight hush c0lered her checks as she
turned to a chair near her mother.
There Is something exceedingly sin
eilar ABOUT this amair" said the pseudo
detective There IS some motive for the
attack on the young lady which 1 can
not understand. Was there any article
OF particular value IN her room"
Nothing besides the small amount or /