Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1905-09-21

as we need to-" And the detective
withdrew his head from the window
out Of which he had been peering and
again cast his eyes about the room.
Have any Of those canvases and
things been moved?" he inquired.
mo"
"Yet a man has passed amid them
freely. Ali"
The exclamation was caused by the
sudden discovery Of a small and gilt
ering object lying on the floor under
the lounge Drawing it out he showed
It to the artist with quiet and pecu'
liar smile.
"A detectives badge" he cried. "The
identity of your visitor is explained,
lie was no one else than my col.
league"
The artist, with his eyes flashing
from the empty decanter to the still
moist ashes, changed color.
"You are right" said he, "and by his
visit he has probably saved my life.~
"What's that|
"He warned me. He told me that
was in danger from this adventurer's
jealousy, and"
"Wait, What adventurer"
"The other Degraw. You knew
there's another Degraw man here who
calls himself Hamilton Degraw.' did
you notT
'sYes."
well, he passes for gentleman.
He is, perhaps, gentleman, but, for
all that. he Is the villain you are seek
ing. He came with recommendations
from Cleveland, and was received into
Miss Aspinwall's house, and immedi-
ately began to make love to Signorina
Valdi, whose real name, as you doubt
less know, is Jenny Rogers. He has
dark hair, gray eyes and a persuasive
manner He has been in New York.
and if not the gentleman you seek,
certainly answers to all descriptions OF
him as fully as ever did"
every good. l will see him."
"Your man-that is, the detective
you sent here-is not in favor Of his
immediate arrest. He wishes to wait
till this mysterious Degraw commits
himself. But I, who have so much at
stake feel this to be cold blooded. !
hope you will agree with me-"
I'VE will see; we will see"
"And what is more curious STILL he,
as we'll as she, declares that it is my
life which is menaced, and not hers.
| Though, to be sure, her fears are the
offspring Of his, he having seen ft to
tell her of certain muttcrings uttered
by Mr.. Degraw, which he. in character
of valet to that gentleman. had been
fortunate enough to overhear.'
Mr. Gryce. who had been studiously
| considering the head of his cane, shift
ed his gaze at this point to the ferulc.
please repeat that" said he.
The other did so.
81 begin to understand" muttcrcd
the detective to the impassive object
| he was considering. Then, in his usual
colloquial manner he observed: $50
! that fellow of ours has been playin?
the part of this gentleman's valct?"
"Yes."
''And has talked with Miss Rogers?'
Yes"
"And with your
Eyes"
/ "Humph! And yet you speak of him
in a careless way as my man.
81 do not know him by name"
"You do not know him by name"
NO"
"IIe must bc wonderfully disguised"
GLOW"
"The man whom we sent here was
Mr.. Byrd"
! "Neycrw
"Mr. Byrd" cmphatically repeated
the detective.
at is impossible! No disguise could
make blue eyes black. This fellow has
black eyes"
"Poohw
"Black, assure you"
lights deceive"
81 have seen him by daylight only"
at Is Byrd; have his letter here,
written in his own hand"
The artist grew excited.
Letter or no letter, bl" TX eyes or
blue the man who calls himself Mr..
Degraw's valet and an officer of your
force is not Mr.. Byrd"
The detective gave a sly wink at
the ferule, as If 1t were with that and
not with the artist he had been carry
ing on this dispute, then buried it, with
the secrets he had been imparting to it,
deep in the pile of the rug upon which
he stood, and turned toward the door.
"Let us make a few inquiries" he
proposed
The artist, unused to this sort of
work, followed his steps with reluct,
ance.
"Whither are we going" he asked.
First, to your landlady or landlord
or whoever it is who keeps this house
going. I want to find out if any one
saw person enter here since you have
been out, and if so, who 1t was"
"Then let us ask the old man who
sits on the front porch. He is always
there and would be sure to see any one
who came in by the door,"
every good"
So they asked the old man who was
still sitting in his favorite spot, though
the night dews were falling and cosy
looking lights welcomed him within.
He answered that he had seen two
strange men admitted, besides the ell
aerly gentleman now addressing him.