Los Angeles herald., 1906-12-23

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rather an unusual proceeding, for he was in tho
hablt OF waiting on me at the office when he had
anything to communicate 10 was therefore,
with some anticipation that I wcnded my way
to Moorgate street, where he occupied a dingy
back office and he looked mp eagerly when l
entered
Il didn't care to come to your place." he said
immediately, for ] feared that If / did so /
might spoil what we have in hand"
How do YOU mean?" asked
ell, 1t will come as bit of a surprise to
you, expect, but the gentleman who calls him.
selt David Lverey, and who, yesterday after
noon inquired for letters in that name at Little
Pnltney street is no other person than your
office messenger, William Travis"
! leaped from my chair in amazcment.
iravls!" / echoed. Can it be possbe?"
Anything is possible in London, Mr.. Davies.
u spotted the fellow the instant he entered the
shop; but as | was wearing blue spectacles and
moustache he did not recognize me The in
slant he had quilted the place entered and ask
ed tor details. They demurred at first to giving
them, but the production of my official card pro.
duced the usual effect. They then informed me
that the gentleman who had just gone was Mr..
David Liverey, and that he frequently patron-
lied the establishment for the purpose of receiv.
ing letters"
But this is amazing!" I cried. "Vbv on
earth should Liverey have made up as an elderly
furniture dealer and endeavored to buy Settring-
toms table,"
"That is puzzling, 1 admit: but first of all lot
me ask you a few questions concerning him.
Did you get him through an advertisement and
DID you have proper credentials with him? And
finally have you always found him honest?"
| hung my head.
10 tell you the truth, Slade," / made an
swer tear made rather ass of myself over
the fellow / actually took him into my service
without the slightest vesige OF a reference. for
he was hard up, and ! thought he seemed de
cent fellow. As to his honesty. cannot answer
YOUR question; for his duties give him no oppor.
tunity to thieve, even if he desired to do So
HIM. muttered Slade. 1T strikes me that
YOUR kindness has been misplaced for once Have
YOU any idea what occupation he had before he
came to you?"
Il believe he had done all sorts of things. and
was once connected with theatrical affairs"
'Ah, rolling stone, no doubt; and rolling
stones occasionally try to gather moss that does
not belong to them" retorted the detective
with smile Anyhow, have told you all
know, and leave the rest to you''
I thanked him and quilted the building Then
drove back to my office, and rang the bell.
Send Travis here at once" l said to the boy
who answered the summons.
4 moment later Travis stood before me-
do you want me, SIR" he asked.
Yes" I replied quickly. 81 have sent for you
20 ask why you HldsQueTddeQ dJ 1drk Lane Two
lays ago in the character of an elderly furniture
'ealer, and why you receive letters in an as
sumed name at ok Little Puteney street,"
In one instant the mans face went through
variety of expressions-a dull purple tinge glowed
in his cheek, giving place to greyish white.
''What do you mean" he asked gaspingly
"Come, don't try to bluff! l may tell you that
observation has been kept on the shop, and you
were seen to enter it yesterday in the role of
David Liverey."
A pause followed, at the end oi which he said
sullenly:
''Well, suppose all this is true, what then? /
suppose there is nothing illegal in man making
a bid for table, and conducting the business
under an assumed name?"
nodded.
"Quite right" assented. at is true that legal
ly you cannot be indicted thus far but it is clear
to me that you have some sinister object in play
ing this trick. You will either explain every
thing, or leave my employ without character -
He stood rigid for moment, pondering the