Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-12-02
CHAPTER VIII.

APPLEBEE TAKEN BY SURPRISE
The course Of professional duty which
brought Detective Lamm % Swampscott
shore on Friday also brought 70 the
North villa. on the day following. MI
Kingman F. Thomas
A young and timid gentleman, OF
many aspirations but too little conf
dence. had been deputed TO call at the
house for such news as might be attain
able. But Monett. IN all his dignity
before he had looked at Mr.. LRmm's
warning igure-Monett had repealed the
nOvicein newspaper work. and when Mr.
Thomas reported himself for duty on
Saturday morning. among the work 20
be deputed 20 him for the day was visit
20 the North household at Swampscott
Other newspaper duties so far en-
eroaohed upon Mr.. Thomas time that It
was not until evening that he took the
train for SwampscOtt. and IL was grow
ing dark when be reached the house
which appeared almost deserted.
But Mr.. Thomas vigorous ring at the
bell was answered by a pretty maid IN
mourning. 10 whom Mr.. Thomas con-
hded the fact that he was a friend OF the
late master OF the house. and would be
glad OF the opportunity 20 see Miss Har-
wood
Aunt Comfort In due time surged
through the doorway OF the reception
room. none too large TO admit the com
Portable passage OF her portly form.
This is Miss HarwOod?" said Mr.
Thomas
Yes. sir"
Permit me 20 present myself Ny
name Is Thomas. I have long known
Mr.. North In business circles: indeed.
may say that we met very frequently on
social occasions also. Hearing OF this
sad event. have called 70 ofIer my con-
dOlenees. and 70 beg that. II my services
in any capacity will be OF value. you
will do me the favor OF putting them 20
the best use. though ] know that, with
Mas HarwoOd as head OF the bereAved
household. nothing has been left un-
done" This with deferential bow.
Thank you oh. thank youi A-hl"
But l am confident that everything
will be properly managed. There IL Mr..
StackhouSe"
"Oh, air. you don't know. / couldn't
say q word about the matter, not even
10 Mr. North's friend. But / will re-
mark that circumstances have taken
such a strange turn that Mr.. Stackhouso
will not be concerned In the funeral ar
rAngements. The only gentleman who
4s doing anything 10 Mr.. FetridEe-a
friend OF the family: and ! am so over
wrought and troubled by. these terrible
events. Mr.. Mr.. (ThomAs. thank you) .
that ! hardly know whether 10 hope he
can be OF much service TO Us or not"
Mr.. Thomas brought his most Ap-
proved glance OF sympathy to bear upon
the good old lady.
You must be calm and firm, madam, ."
he suggested Remember that every
thing depends on you-the young ladies'
look to you. naturally. in a time like
this"
"Ah-h-hi" calculated Aunt Comfort.
They are acting very strangely. OF
course. l couldn't think OF saying any
thing against them, for love the poor
girls, both OF them; but | must say,
Elr, that IL has been q trial to me to
nee how reeklessly they have gone on
hare. without even listening to good
advice"
The effect OF the sudden shock, ="
limited Mr.. Thomas, respectfully
They need . little disinterested coun-
sci. my dear madam. Now IL I could
only see them rs their fathers friend
and have . little talk with the young
ladies. am sure they would see mat
tiers in their true light and realize
what q blessing IL Ia to have such q
prop and stay az you In q time like
this"
Aunt Comfort furttvely wiped her
ayes. as she again swayet back and
forth shaking her heed.
you are very kind and thoughtful.
Ar.-Ar.--(Thomas, thank you)-and.
you being a friend OF their poor dead
father. perhaps the girls will heed
what you say. ! would not think OF
allowing q stranger TO see them.
There we're two callers here yesterday.
One vas q police detective. Perhaps
he had . right to come. But the other
was only an inquisitive inspector"
And the young lAdiesY" Mr.. Thorn
- ventured 10 hint after q respectable
pause. This Mr.. Fetridge 10 known
90 them and to you. OF eourse-he IL a
friend Of the familyf"
oh, dear me. yes. SIR" was Aunt
Comforts reply. He has been q fire.
xusnt visitor here for-let me see, let
me see, Il must be three years at the
very least ance We hrst made his ae-
.Auaintsnos. There was time when