Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-12-28


 briefly, while Mr. Renwyck also came to the door, impatient at the unlocked for interruption.
 "Sir," questioned the pompous Eng fish gentleman, who had arrived few minutes after the lighter footed young lady, Jam I correct in assuming that that is MT. Jacob RenwyckY'
 Mir. Reuwyck bowed.
 "Hm! My card" went on the visitor. q am, as you see, Sir Rodney Hick- wich, British ambassador at Washing ton. have written repeatedly on mat ters of most urgent business to gen tleman who learn has been a guest at this charming home, but my letters and telegrams have elicited no reply. Humph! I allude, sir, to the Earl of Croyland. Does he chance to be still with you?"
 "Yes," answered MT. Renwyck. "Come in. must apologize for our up set state. but the fact is we have just discovered a serious robbery. Pray be seated, Sir Rodney. Lord Croyland was here a moment ago. I will send for him."
 'I shall be obliged, I'm sure. I regret to disturb you under the circum- stances, but it's really most important, you know, and'-
 Not at all," said MT. Renwyck cour- teously. James," he called to the but Ter, "send some one to Lord CrOyland with this card"
 "Yes, sir," answered James. 'I think I see him on the lawn, sir. He's com ing now"
 Richard, having spied Miss Sempton coming up the path, had promptly moved out upon the lawn in order to postpone the inevitable discovery as long as possible. He saw her go with Harriet and Imogene up the stairs; then he turned once more toward the house. At the steps he was stopped by a farmer, the hard featured official and the fussy little mechanical indi- vidual who seemed to have joined forces on the way.
 That's one of 'em now," loudly de- clared the rustic, pointing grimy fin ger at Richard. q recognize him, off, cer He was there all right
 What's this-what's this?' demand ed Mir. Renwyck, hastening out at the sound of the excited voice.
 Its all right, Mir. Renwyck," said the fussy little man, touching his cap. q think we can settle it without any trouble whatever Is this Lord Croy- land"
 "Yes, it is," answered the puzzled master of Restmore. What is all this fuss about? It is very annoying to have you people coming here at this time. What do you want? Be brief"
 My name," said the man, lis Par ker-John Parker of the Layton Motor company. Lord Croyland here rented one of our machines a week ago and never brought 1t back. We learned in cidentally that he smashed 1t up and failed to report the accident. We in- quired for him at his hotel, but he had left without giving an address. We had a great deal of trouble in locating the damaged motor, but found 1t at last at New Rochelle. And we have had more trouble in locating him here too. I have heavy bill against his lordshiN"
 But here the farmer broke in angrily:
 "Yes, an he broke up my waggin an kilt my dawg. I'll have the law on him. Here, you," he cried, turning to Richard-"you got to come along with us back to New York! My lawyer says you've got to pay thousand dollars damages. This man has a summons fer you. That's him, constable. Take him in
 MT. Renwyck turned to the Texan with a look of refined astonishment.
 Really, Lord Croyland," he began, but Richard smiled brazenly and checked further speech.
 ''Mr. Renwyck," he said, "I must apologize to you for this unfortunate interruption. did have an automo- bile accident, it is true, but I paid to have the damaged machine lowed to the nearest garage and thought, of course, that the matter would be re- ported promptly by the officer employ ed. I gave my address and heard nothing further from the owners of the automobile nor from this worthy farmer whose wagon and dog were both butted into kingdom come" Rich ard turned to Mir. Parker. At what hotel did you inquire for me?"
 Hotel Astor, sir, the address on our books"
 "Ahr' smiled the Texan. That &C., counts for it. i had changed my ad- dress to the St. Regis. Meet me there on Monday morning at Il, both of you. The matter will be adjusted to your entire satisfaction"
 There" said Mir. Renwyck impa- tiently to the farmer and Mir. Parker. Does that satisfy your
 'No, it don't" protested the rustic one. Hes a slick one. kin tell ye. He didn't give no sich name as CrOy, lam wen he run me down. disre- member wot 1t was. but it warn't Croylan'. No. sir: that mans tryin' to squirm out'en it."
 "Get of my place" shouted Mir. Ren- wyck furiously. these successive con tretemps proving too much for his un- stable equilibrium. "Is my house to be overrun by every imbeciIe in the state of New York? Take hm away, sfr. Parker. before forget myself and have him elected fOrcibly-'
 (TO be ContinuedD.