Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-11-01

and came down and shook
 hands with us.
 .'I'm going to reward you for your clever work, Mir. Royce" he said "Will you take the good news to Miss Holladay?"
 My chief could not repress the swift flush of pleasure which reddened his ' cheeks, but he managed to speak un- concernedly.
 ''Why, yes; certainly. I'll be glad to, if you wish if" he said.
 q do wish it." Goldberg assured him, with tact and penetration I thought admirable. ''You may dismiss the po- liceman who is with her."
 Our junior looked inquiringly at the s district attorney
 Before I go,' he said, may I ask what you intend doing, sir?'
 T intend finding the writer of that note," answered Singleton, smiling.
 ''But, about Miss Holladay?'
 Singleton tapped his lips thought fully with his pencil
 Before I answer" he said at last, T should like to go with you and ask her one question" T g1l1n Rft--
 Every wen,' assented MT. Royce in- stantly and led the way to the room where Miss Holladay awaited us.
 She rose with flushing face as we en- tered and stood looking at us without speaking; but, despite her admirable eomposure, I could guess how she was racked with anxiety.
 Miss Holladay," began my chief, 'sthis is MT. Singleton, the district at torney, who wishes to ask you a few questions"
 "One question only" corrected Sin gleton, lowing Were you at your fa- ther's office yesterday afternoon, Miss Holladay?"
 No, sir" she answered instantly and emphatically. T have not been near my fathers office for more than a week."
 I saw him study her for moment, then he bowed again.
 That is all," he said. '1 don't think the evidence justifies me in holding her, Mir. Royce" and he left the room. I followed him, for I knew that I had no further part in our juniors errand. went back to our table and busted myself gathering together our belong ings The room had gradually cleared and at the end of ten minutes only the coroner and his clerk remained. They had another case, it seemed, to open in the morning-another case which perhaps involved just as great heartache and anguish as ours had. Five minutes lateEmy chief came hur- rying back to me and glance at his beaming eyes told me how he had been welcomed.
 Miss Holladay has started home with her maid" he said. ''She asked me to thank you for her for the great work you did this afternoon, Lester. told her it was really you who had done everything Yes, it wasr' he add cd, answering my gesture of denial ''Whlle I was groping helplessly around in the dark you found the way to the light But come; we must get 's back to the office' %s& ..s'
 We found a cab at the curb and in . moment were rolling back over the route we had traversed that morning ages ago, as it seemed to me! It was only few minutes after 3 o'clock, and I reflected that should yet have time to complete the papers in the Hurd case before leaving for the night.
 Mir. Graham was still at his desk, and he at once demanded an account of the hearing. I went back to my work, and so caught only a word here and there-enough. however, to show Il me that our senior was deeply inter- a- ested in this extraordinary affair. AS for me, put all thought of 1t resolute- ly from me and devoted myself to the work in hand. It was done at last, and I locked my desk with a sigh of relief. Mir. Graham nodded to me kindly as I passed out. and I left the office with the comfortable feeling that had done a good days work for 5 myself as well as for my employers. i A man who had apparently been lettering in the hall followed me into the elevator.
 ''This is Mir Lester. isn't it?' he asked as the car started to descend.
 "Yes," I said, looking at him in sur prise. He was well dressed, with alert eyes and strong. pleasing face. I aad never seen him before.
 And you're going to dinner. aren't Fou, Mir. Lester:' he continued.
 "Yes-to dinner" I assented. more and more surprised.
 Now, don't think me impertinent.' e be said. smiling at my look of amaze ment but I want you to dine with me this evening. I can promise you as good a meal as you will get at most places in New York"
 "But I'm not dressed I protested.
 That doesn't matter in the least neither am I. you see. We will dine without others"
 whereT- questioned.
 well. how would the Studio suitT'
 Zhe car had reached the ground floor. and we left lt together. I was com jDletely in the dark as to my compan- ions purpose. and yet it could have but one explanatlon-it must be connected In some way vith the Holiday case. Cnless-and ! glanced at him again No. certainly. he vas not a c1n6dence man-eyen if he was. I would rather welcome the adventure. My curiosity wen the battle
 "very well. I said. "Tn be glad to seeeut vour furifatiou- Mr.