The Washington times., 1907-04-28

makeup. Some men might 60 Wild
over a IO-cent puzzle, until they'd
solved H. others might not quicken
unless they were confronted with the
mysterious disappearance OF at least
a billion dollars in gold It's all a
question OF degree"
"And novelty" Weldon put Ia
hastily
"Eh7" Sellers looked quizzicauy
through his gold glasses
The novelty Of the mystery would
certainly count for a great deal"
unused Maltby. That's true enough,
too. Even an unsolved mystery would
naturally rather lose its attraction IN
time"
Witness the pyramids" advanced
Dunfrey, amiably. Nobody. so far.
can show just how they were whacked
together. yet even Maltby isn't lying
awake nights over it,
mo. cant say that he is" smiled
that gentleman. still, even that mys-
terry keeps a few people perennislly
stirred up, old as II IL. Oh. novelty, OF
course. Is a big factor. Still. I don't
know"
Don't know WHAT Fayles inquired
Well. there are good many minor
mysteries which seem to have what the
advertising men call pulling power. de-
spite the fact that they have been do
ing business for some time
And you have one Of them IN
mindT"
Maltby laughed outright
II must say. Mr.. Fayles. that in that
case did have a specific case 70 cite,
IN event Of one OF the skeptlcs corner
ing met
And that isl"
"Oh. tale OF tommyrot. pure and
simple. I suppose Maltby settled
farther back. and yawned with what
appeared to be genuine sleepiness.
There was a little pause Weldon
picked up paper and dropped it again
and looked inQuiringly at Maltby.
Carr and Fayles chatted for a minute.
and then their gaze returned 70 Malt
by's comfortable corner Sellers.
smiling doubtfully. waited in silence.
ana Penrose and Dunfrey followed
suit
But the others mind seemed to have
passed altogether from the subject. He
studied the frescoes on the ceiling
with absent eyes. and after a long
wait. remarked: Now. II the fellow
who painted those cupids in the farther
corner had"
Hang the cupids," said Carr.
Give US the story"
"Eh7"
The story Of the mystery that
wouldn't wear of. you know"
'Oh Maltby hitched
himself little farther toward the up
right and considered his cigar. That's
that's hardly worth going into. you
know"
Having heard several Of your yarns.
I'll gamble that it Is" Carr persisted.
Go on. there's no lodging IT,"
This isn't altogether a yarn. Mr..
Carr"
mo? So much the better. Lies
enough are sprung in this club every
evening. Let's have facts FOR once"
"Oh. pshaw," Maltby smiled depre-
catingly. why. probably every one Of
you gentlemen knows about the
matter"
Well what is the matter. Weldon
cried. in some evaporation. Come
Maltby, Let's have IT.
A little clamor arose. Maltby held
up hand in mock terror. and the com
pany quieted- The thrilling tale" he
said dryly. as simply that OF the
House or Suspicion
Good name" Dunfrey nodded ap-
proval. That sounds like a good be
ginning. What is the House Of sus-
picion?"
Wen. from what I've seen OF il. it's
remarkably fine piece of semi subur-
ban property that had been utterly
queered by number Of weird tales"
Located around here?''
Just outside the populous section
up town; Just in sight OF green fields
on one hand and elevated railroads On
the other"
surrounded by weeping Willows IN
which the ghosts play spook-taR and
disembodied leap-froE every night al
twelve2' Sellers suggested.
That's not impossible. if all the
stories connected with it Are true"
laughed Maltby. However. the nlace
hasn't become a resort for ghost-cateb-
ers as yet. I think"
He drew long puff Of smoke and ex-
hailed II before continuing.
Now, that place might better he
cited as an example OF the baneful ef-
fects OF mystery" he pursued. Its a
beautiful dwelling. 10 Judge from the