Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1907-02-14
CHAPTER xiH-continued.

SpectOr IOkely determined to take
pleasure before business, and to hut-
ter with envy the bosoms of his former
acquaintance. Therefore he put up,
with some ostentation, at the Chatter
Arms, and took his expressionless
face, with It's dependent tuft, into the
bar Of that hostelry when some half
dozen village celebrities were assem-
bled in it. Old Betty Siggs, being busy
at the moment, and not having set
eyes upon him since his boyhood, fail
ed to notice his entry, or to recognize
him other than as a casual visitor. The
inspector, looking down from his
height Of superior Importance and
criminal experience on the mere kinds
on whom Mrs. Siggs was attending,
coughed vigorously to attract her at
tention, and dropped his portmanteau
with bang upon the floor. Mrs. Siggs,
civilly inquired what she could do for
him.
Il shall sleep here for night-pos-
sibly two or three" replied TolSely, in
loud voice, and with side glance to
note the effect of what he said upon
the mere kinds before mentioned. Il
am here upon-upon business"
Indeed, sir" said Mrs Siggs, brisk
ly. 1T amt many commercial gents
we gets down to Bamberton, sir-'cept
by accident. Would you wish to have
a meal prepared, sir? Pr'aps you'd be
SO good as step this way, sir
II should like something to eat, GER
tainly," replied the inspector. And l
am not here on commercial business;
quite the contrary. My business is
connected with the-the law"
Lori" exclaimed Mrs. Siggs, as she
led the way into the little parlor; this
exclamation not being intended as an
echo of the inspectors last word, by
any means. 81 'ope we shall be able to
make you comfortable, sir, whatever
your business may be. This way, sir.
P'r'aps you might like to take a little
something afore your meal, sir?'
Inspector Tokely gave the order for
the little something" as well as for
the meal, and then turned to Mrs.
Siggs as she was leaving the room.
,'Une moment, my good woman he
said.
Mrs. Siggs hesitated, with her hand
on the doorknob, and looked at him
curiously-not at all prepossessed in
his favor. The inspector, leaning
against the table and putting his head
little on one side, conveyed into his
hard features something as nearly ap-
preaching a smile as he was capable
Of.
"You don't know me, suppose?" he
said.
Mrs. Siggs shook her head slowly
after looking him up and down for q
few moments in some perplexity.
81 see you don't" said Tokely, grim
ly. do you remember lad-a lad OF
superior intelligence, l might say
who used to be sort of under-keeper
up at the Hall, by name Tokely?" The
inspector smiled a little more
Mrs. Siggs, after moment or two OF
frowning contemplation of the floor
looked up at him with a Frightening
face. "To be sure do she said
when was gal about 'ere-remem
Der i'm well, do. Let me see now
Betty Siggs, immersed in recollections
of the past, lost sight of her visitor fol-
a moment completely-"ch uckle-head
ed chap e was, with taste for spyln
out things wot didn't concern i'm"
s'He was nothing of the sort" broke
in Tokely, very red in the face. HE
was a lad considerably above the aver
age of rustic intelligence he
made his way in the world, ma'am,
should like you to know-got his name
in the papers more than once.
.Ah, lots O. folks manages to dc
that without meanin' it, said Betty
Siggs, with little laugh. "I've knowed
a man to do it by breakin a winder."
Never mind about that" said the
inspector, tersely. THE young man
I'm talking about got on in the worlc
by sheer merit. am that young man
ma am'-the inspector tapped himself
dramatically on the breast-"noW IN
spector Tokely OF Scotland Yard"
Betty Siggs went a little white about
the region of her plump cheeks, clasp
ed her hands, and faltered out, OF
OF Scotland Yard!'
Criminal investigation department
ma'am," went on the inspector, tap
ping himself on the breast again
Have the goodness, ma'am to shut the
door,
Mrs. Siggs put a hand out to do as
she was hidden, never taking her eyes
for moment from the face before her
( Indeed, after shutting the door, she
stood with her hand upon the knob. as
though ready to pull it open in an in
slant and scream for assistance i
necessary.
Now, ma am,' began Tokely, wag
ging his head and a forefinger at her
BIZ, way of caution, 81 wantato ask 70,
q question or two, and I'll trouble 70,
to be very careful what you say, o.
what you don't say. i have been com
missioned to inquire into a case touch
ing d certain female Of the name
he pulled a pocket-book from his Goa
and Owed into 1t for q momelt-.ao
the name Of Patience Miller. Now, thi
same Patience Miller
aHBetty slggs suddenly threw UP he
Il ~