Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, 1906-11-29

'iuoiN' ~ IenBJu lneTe was noise
outside the door, and a monument later
Hamilton and two others came in.
When he saw me, he stopped, his ewes
bullying and his mouth agape.
Dicky ComstaIk?' he cried help.
lessly. What the devil does this
mean?"-turning to the police.
DO You know this fellow, Mr.. Ham.
ilton?' asked the chief.
Knew him? or course ! know
him. answered Teddy; and I'll stake
my last dollar on his honesty"
Thanks, TeddyD began to
breathe.
But" began the chief. seized
with sudden misgivings.
1T is impossible, tell YOU" inter
rupted Hamilton. Il know this gentle
man is incapable of the theft There
Is some frightful mistake. How the
dickens did you get here, Dicky?'
And briefly I told him my story, my
| ASS ears growing inch by inch as |
went along. Hamilton didn't know
whether to swear or to laugh; finally
he laughed.
IF you wanted to come. why didn't
you write me for an invitation"
Il shouldn't have come to your old
ball, had | been invited. It was Just
the idea of the lark"
We shall have to hold him. never.
theless," said the chief, till every
hing is cleared up The girl"
Hamilton looked al the Blue Domi.
Madame, will YOU do me the honor
to raise your masf?"
She did so; and ! saw Hamilton
draw in his breath Her beauty was
certainly of an exquisite pattern. He
frowned anXiously.
i never saw this young women be-
fore he admitted slowly.
'lla." cried the chief, glad to find
some one culpable
Did You receive your invitation
through the proper channels" asked !
Hamilton
u came here tonight. '-coldly, ON |
the invitation Of Mrs. Hyphen-Bonds, |
who sailed for Europe Wednesday,"
Here was an abb that was an
alibi, was all at sea. Hamilton |
bowed; the chief coughed worriedly |
behind his hand The girl had told
me she was an impostor like myself,
that her ten OF hearts was as dark
stained as my own. ! could not make
head or tail to t. Mrs. Hyphen.
Bonds! She was a law in The land.
especially in Blankshire, the larger
part of which she owned. What did
It all mean? And what was Ter idea
In posing as an impOstor?
The door opened again.
The patrol has come" said the OF
hcer who entered.
Let II wait" growled the chlet.
"llaggerty has evidently got Ms all
balled up don't believe his fashion.
able Thief has matr'ialiZed AT all. last
a common crook. Well, he's got him,
at any rate, and the gems"
You have. of course. the general
invitation" said Hamilton.
Here is it."--ta al she passed the
engraved card TO him.
Il beg thousand pardons!" said
Hamilton humbly. Everything seems
to have gone wrong"
VIII You guarantee this MANI"
asked the chief of Hamilton. nodding
toward me-
Il have said so. Mr.. Comstak is
very well known 10 me. lie is a re.
ired army officer, and to my knowl-
edge man with an income sufficient
% put him far beyound want"
What is your Nance" asked he
thief of the girl, scowling. II was quite
evident he couldn't understand her
lotions any better than |.
Alice Hawthorne" with an obliQue
glance at me,
! had been right!
What is your occupation? | am
obliged To ass these questions. Miss"
i am miniature painter. "--brlcny
Hamilton came forward Alice
hawthorne? Pardon me. but are vou
he artist who recently completed the
miniature of the Emperor of Germany.
he Princess OF IIesse. and Mrs. lily.
= am. believe there is no fur
her reason for detainins me"
Emperor Of Germany" echoed the
ow hewildered chief. why didn't
on tell all this to Mr.. IIaggerty?"
u had my reasons"
Once again the door opened \ bur.
: man in dark busness.suit entered
lis face was ruddy and his little grey
yes Sparkled with suppressed ire. He
me of Naulrin the only dit.
'rence being that Nautrin was French
lille this man was distinctly Irish |
is massive shoulders betrayed tire.
endons strength, lie was vastly an. |
~ about something lie went TO the |
lief's desk and rested his hands upon |
You are nice specimen for a chief
police, you are" he began.
And who the devil are you?" h'
lwled the chief, his choler rising. l'
"Ill fell Vou who I an, Nravantl, ~