Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1906-10-23
CHATTER XVI

Slivars was puzzled over Villiers' disap-
pearanee, so he determined to go in search
of evidence against Madame Midas
though for what reason he wanted evil
dence against her no one but himself
knew.
The reason he had for turning detec-
tive was simply this: 1t soon became
known that Madame Midas had been rob
bed by her husband of the famous mug
get. and great was the Indignation of
everyone against Mr.. Villiers.
Siivers waylaid Barty and asked him
TO drop into his office with a view of
finding out from him all the events of
that night.
Its very kind of you to come and
talk to an old chap like me-" said Slivers,
in as amiable tone as he could com
mand. You're such a gay young Eel
low"
Barry acknowledged modestly that he
was gay, but that he owed certain duties
10 society, and had to be mildly social.
Ana so handsome" croaked Slivers,
wfakin- with his one eye at Billy, who
sat on the table. '0h, he's all there,
amt he Bil.yF'
Billy. ESwever, did not agree to this,
and merely observed Pickles." in a dis
believing manner.
Barty felt rather overcome by this
praise. and blushed in a modest way, but
felt that he could not return the compli-
ment with any degree of truth, as Slivers
was not handsome, neither vas he all
there.
Slivers. who had thus gained the good
will of the young man by fiattery, plunged
into the subject of Villiers' disappearance
az wonder what's become of Y;iiiers,"
he said, artfully.
Pm sure | don't know" said Barty in
a languid. used-up sort of voice. IT
haven't seen him since last Monday
week"
.'Where did you leave him on that
night" asked Slivers.
AT the corner of Sturt and Lydiard
streets, early in the morning, about 2
O'Clock, l think"
And YOU never saw him after that?"
Not a sight of him. replied Barty :;
"but. say. why all this thusness?'
I'm tell you after you have answered
NV questions" retorted Slivers, rudely,
but I'm not asking out of curiosity
its business"
W ell, SO on II dAtSNtE.
who else was with you and Villiers
on that night" asked Slivers in a mag
isterial kind of manner.
"A French fellow called vandeloup"
'Vandeloup," echoed Slivers in sur
prise: "oh. indeed what was he doing?"
Enjoying himself" replied Barry, cool
"; he came into the theater and VIII
liers introduced him to me; then Mr..
WoppleS asked us all to supper"
What time did Vandeloup leave?" ask
ed Sliyers.
He stayed all night in town."
"Oh :" calculated Slivers in an excited
manner, drumming on the table with his
fingers. Where did he stay?
AT the Waffle Tree Hotel"
Slivsrs mentally made note of this,
and determined to so there and find out
at what time Vandeloup had come home
on the night in question, for this Suspi-
cious old man had now got it into his
head that Vandeloup was in some way
responsible for Villiers' disappearance.
where did Yiiliers say he was going
when he left youg" he asked.
"Straight home"
"Humph. Well, he didn't so home at
all. What's become of him? Men don't
disappear in this mysterious way with
out some reason. He's been murdered -
II say CALCULATED Barty jumping up
from his chair in alarm; you're going too
far. old chap"
"I'm going further" retorted Sliyers.
rising from his chair and stumping up
and down the room: I'm going to find
ont who did il, and then I'll grind her
90 powder; I'll twist her neck of, curse
her."
rs IL a woman2" asked Barry. who
now began TO think of making a retreat.
for SIivers. with his one eye blazing. and
his cork erm swinging rapidly TO and fro.
was not a pleasant object TO contemplate.
ssTrh. g. ~-b.s I want "a and ont re-