Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-11-18
(coPyrisht, BY TIE cssssii Publishing CO..
CHAPTER ".
- I-NrInrrN -.

n
ANghting az The Phillips Beach sta
ton. with a large contingent OF so
1ourneTs. Mr.. Lanm appeared TO be
quite as familiar with the place as the
rest OF the hurryiug throng
In order 60 permit Fetridge 90 get
well out OF the way. he stopped TO in
Quire OF the station agent where the
Horths lived
Just up the street yonder" the
agent replied sad news for them.
isn't 10 The whole household Is up-
set There's Mohett their inside man.
now. on the platform. looking after
the train"
In moment Mr.. Lamm was az the
side 81 the bewildered Nonett. and talk
ing TO him as ~ he had known the
poruy man OF bottles AID carvinc
knives an his life
Il am glad 90 have met YOU" ne
said 81 was a friend OF Mr. North
and take a great interest in the fam
ily. Poor Eirlsi I couldn't bear to
break in upon their grief but I fee
that az time like this a friend should
do something"
MoGett clutched his shoulder
"Oh SIR" he whispered. with an
aroma of something stimulating bv the
way Of favor for the words. III YOU
are a friend. YOU can't do better than
'ome up 20 the house. have been
waiting here in hopes that Mr.. Stack
souse would return. But he doesn't.
and there they are at the house in
errible condition. sir"
Overcome by the sad news?" Mr.
Lamm said, as they walked up the
street
~Oh. sir. there's been some trouble
here. I don't know what-sceues be-
tween the women. They don't under
stand what 20 do. sir. The servants
are an upset. too. II Go weren't for
me. sir. nobody would think OF going
70 watch for Mr. Stsckhouse. It's his
aot coming that worries me. sir"
Yielding 20 the earnest wish OF
hoaett the friend of Che family en-
tered the house through the servants
toor. the inside man cllngiug Co his
arm with a nervous grasp.
Without delay Mr. Iamm was escort
- 90 the pantry-room by the portly
Mofett. who moved lightly. though
Ilowly. They entered this sanctuary
of the inside man" without meeting
any OF the household. for. OF course.
hodctt had the necessary keys.
Modett had assumed an air OF inn
9ortance and profound mystery that
would infalubly have aroused comment
and suspicion had no met any OF che
servants. But fortunately. both were
cow in the pantry room with the door
locked
The detective was accustomed TO
meet all sorts and conditions OF men
but he found So hard 90 refrain from
laughing outright 40 the change In Mr.
Monetts looks as he faced him. after
the pautry-room door had been locked.
and held mo q warning finger. But he
said solemuly;
"Monett you're a man OF sense
therefore ] make no lone explanations
but tell you frankly az once that I am
a representative OF the authoriues-
don't start Modett-and am sent here
in the interests of Justice"
Justice murmured The butler.
looking helplcssly at him.
Here is my badge" continued the
detective. throwing back his coat
And now 10 is absolutely necessary.
Modett that 7 should have the run OF
the hOuse-watch. without anyb0dy's
suspecting the fact. all that goes on.
and have an eye 20 affairs generally
I have come 20 you in this way,
MonetJ because I've been told that
you are very discreet man. Unless
you repeat what ! have told you, no
body In the house need know OF my
remaining here, nor have any idea OF
the real object which brings me"
But ! don't like sir" stammered
the butler. who already began 20 trem-
BILE
You must like IL, Mofett." empha-
sized the detective. Il don't wish TO
make any trouble or take you in
charge, but ! am fully prepared TO go
as far IS that il YOU are not sensible
enough to see the reasonableness Of my
first proposal THERE / see by your
look you understand the situation
Very good. New, where is the best.
the most central. place In the house.
in which you can stow me, do you
think MOnett?"
The inside man" OF Mt. Paul
North's establishment was picture OF
perplexity and despair
Central place, Stow youi" he muir
INJURED helplessly. putting like a fat