The Washington times., 1906-01-07
CkT II. young fellow! Does Inspee-
- tor Grey live here2"
He spoke roughly enough.


He spoke roughly enough.
and I returned his stare
with an equal irritation. When man
may not indulge in day dreams on his
own doorstep. the state of society
wants meEding. He was a big bully Of
a fellow, with a red face. a curIed,
white mustache, and a single eyegIass,
through which he regarded me with an
air of extreme Ill temper.
The inspector lodges on the third
floor" I told him coldly
DO YOU live here, too?"
I had a mind not 10 answer him. but,
after all, It was not worth while maxi
ing trouble over an impudent question
Yes" / said. 4 rent the ground
floor and the studio behind. Ny name
is Phillips. I am an artist. For the past
four years I have studied abroad II
You would like TO see my birth certifi-
cate I will go and fetch it for YOU"
To my surprise, he burst into a shout
of laughter, swaying his body from side
TO side. It was quite a time before he
recovered himself.
Good. Iad-good, lad" he chuckled:
Gadl but 1 deserved il. Allow me To
introduce myself. My name is Gunton.
very pleased to meet You"
He held out his hand. which / shook,
without any great degree Of enthusi-
asm.
rs this Arlington Grey at home. do
you Think" he continued.
Il don't know" I told him. Il should
walk upstairs and find out, if / were
you"
There 7 recognize the practical head.
You know him.
Yes"
Then, We viii go together. You
can introduce me"
was offended at the noise and
bluster of the man; but he had grabbed
my arm. and / didn't want a scene at
my own door. l led him up the stairs.
his voice growing silent as his lung
capacity weakened. The inspectors
voice cried an invitation to my knock.
and / entered, with the colonel putting
at nv heels like a locomotive on a stiff
incline.
''So.ly 10 disturb you. Grey" ] said.
but this is a gentleman OF the name
of GLntOn. and he appears anxious 10
make your acquaintance"
The little man rose from his easy
chair. and stood looking at the stran-
ger with An expression Of great good
humor.
For myself. I was about TO with
draw when the coloners hand dropped
heavily upon my shoulder.
Don't YOU go" he said. "A cosmo-
politan. detective. and a man OF the
world, as I am. form a unique COM
bination. And. by Cad. gentlemen, we
shall want all our brains over this
affair
I glanced at Grey. who smiled and
nodded. So l stayed
The colonel kindly consented TO take
the most comfortable chair. sighed.
stretched out his legs. lit a cheroOt,
and then. without further introduce
ton, plunged into his story.
Perhaps YOU have heard of julius
Taubery? No? Well it's a name as
well known throughout India as the
viceroy's- He is the head II one of
the richest firms in Calcutta Went
out there as a young man. worked we'll
married well. and ended we'll in all
things. save his constitution, with
which he played the very devil. In
1900 he returned and took a fine Lon
don house in Portland place. together
with an old hall down I'm Devonshire.
A month ago the doctors ordered him
out OF England for life. Rough on
him, wasn't II, seeing that he had
spent twO-thirds OF his time out of it
already? But the South Of France is
his only chance they tell him; so. like
Il wise man. he is selling off his sticks. o
and settling down at Mentone. with
out squealing 10 show how much It
hurts him.
Julius and his Wife-she's one of
the kindIiest-hearted women-have
been giving some farewell parties to
their old friends. They had a lunch
today. 1-S0 sharp. and a lot of people
turned up. After the ladies had left
as. the talk, as luck would have it.
fell on precious stones: and julius
Taubery is a crank on them If there
ever was one. His wife wears the
finest jewels in London. and the OLD
man is supposed 10 have many thou
sand pounds worth more locked away,
which he won't trust even her with
the handling.
Gentlemen says he. viii show
YOU something that may interest you
IT is a new purchase of mine, and il
happens to be a remarkable stone.
He pulled a green case from an in
side pocket, fipped it open, and there
the thing was. as big as a walnut. The
lights were on, it being dull weather.
and the stone blinked and sparkled
like the sun on dancing water
My word, julius. / said But
that's a risky bit of stuff to carry
about with you
It's going to the bank this after
noon he answered. SO if you want
TO examine the pretty pebble, gentle
men this Is your last chance
And with that he took it from its
case. as proud as young husband of
his first baby, and sent it round the
table.
Il was sitting on julius left Be
tween us was a fat old boy, who was
- stranger TO me. He took a long