Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-10-19
with the business Of the day.
Shortly ofter noon HARRINGTON ar.

49, " SOA WI u0thbOO
quickly, as my wife Ia waiting In a
cab outside, and I am rather pressed
for time"
Certainly; the check Ia already
drawn out" answered the banker.
Ring up the bank, Wiimanton, II you
please. and notify them that Mr.. vii.
fred Norton Harrington Ia coming
round to cash my check"
Eric shut himself into the booth in
the outer Office, and put the receiver
to his ear. He wns about to call "Hel-
lo!" when he heard n voice, which he
recognized ns that of Walters. a
lawyer in nm Office below. saying:
els this Mr.. Harrington"
EYES," answered another voice.
Thought 1t was your voice. Wilfred.
Just come from FriscO?"
mo, my wife and I made o flying
trip to Europe on business. and got
back n day earlier than we expected"
well, you kept every n pretty well
In the dark. Have you opened UP your
new house yeti"
mo; but my valet and my wife's
maid have everything ready. I nm
going up there as soon as I've seen my
things through the customs"
At this point Eric broke into the
conversation and persuaded Mr.. Har-
rington the second that he had better
present himself at the Offices of
Brampton & Brampton within half an
hour. II he valued his property.
Then he rang up another number,
and after q short conversation hung
mp the receiver and returned to the
private office.
The others were a little impatient at
his delay. II think you will be re.
ceived properly at the bank" Eric said
politely.
lie even went to the extent Of fetch
ing the visitors hat and cane.
Mr.. Brampton noticed the alteration
in his manner. Il sec your opinion Of
Mr.. Harrington has altered now" lie
said presently.
Il suspend Judgment for half an
hour" laughed Eric enigmatically.
Some ten minutes later the door flew
open and in rushed Harrington No. 2,
accompanied by Walters, the lawyer,
from downstairs.
In the scene that ensued the principal
actors had the stage to themselves, ex.
cept when the lawyer was called upon,
while Eric sat back and enjoyed the OK.
element.
First the rightful owner Of the gems
raved Mt their loss. but was paciied
when lie found them intact: then the
banker realized that he was $4,000 out
Of pocket and gave way to his feelings
accordingly.
cant you do something instead of
sitting there like Il fOol!' he shouted,
Telephone to the police to watch every
railroad station and dock"
II don't think that's necessary" an.
swered Eric quietly. "IIe and his wife,
too. l hope, are already in their cells.
Let's get a cab and go there. Perhaps
Mr.. Harrington can identify them"
In less than nm hour Mr.. Brampton
was once more in his Office chair.
"Well, I can see you've pulled this
matter OF pretty we'll. my boy" he
said. wiping tho perspiration from his
forehead. "Now tell me how 1t hap.
pened. and what 1t all means"
1T was simple enough explained
Eric modastly; the real Harrington
had given the pearls to this man Tom
kins, his valet. to put in the bank, just
before he started for Europe, and also
had given him orders TO help this
French maid to get the house ready
for them on their return. Thus they
were enabled to pose as Mr.. and Mrs
Harrington and invite you to dinner to
lull suspicion. realized this from the
conversation over the telephone, and
called up the bank to have them ar.
rested when they got there, In order
to avoid the fuss OF OBTAINING him here
till the police arrived"
well you have saved me $35.OOO,'
commented Mr.. Brampton.
"Would you describe that as a strik.
ing instance OF business acumen?"
questioned Eric timidly.
The banker remembered the CONVEX.
satiOn of the day before.
"Why. yes-cr-no-that isl give in.
my boy. You've won her fairly"
1--WE won." murmured the young
man t%rlumphantly; 'won by a yard
Of pearls."