The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1907-02-14
THE SECOND
DANDY CHATTER
CHAPTER xIlI-continued.
By rom Gallon.

acqu%aintances. Therefore he put up
with some ost~entation, at the Chatter
Arms, and took his expressionless
face, with its dependent tuft, into the
bar of that hostelry when ONE 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 binds
on whom Mrs. Siggs was attending,
coughed vigorously to attract her at
t%ention, and dropped his ~portmanteau
with a bang upon the floor. Mrs. Siggs,
smiling and pleasant, came across, and
civilly inquired what she could do for
him.
II shall sleep here for a night-pos-
sibly two or three" replied Tokely, in
a loud voice, and with a 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? P'r'aps you'd be
so good as step this way, sir"
Il 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. Il '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 hen turned TO Mrs.
Siggs as she was leaving the Don
Zone moment, my good woman" he
said.
Mrs. Siggs hesitated, with her hand
on the d~oorknob, and looked at him
curiously-not at all prepossessed in
his favor. The inspector, leaning
against the table and putting his head
a little on one side, conveyed into his
hard features something as nearly ap-
preaching n smile as he vas capable
Of.
"You don't know me, l %suppose?" he
said.
Mrs. Siggs shook her head slowly,
after looking him UP and down for a
few moments in some perplexity.
Il see you don't" said Tokely, grim
". $40 YOU remember a lad-a lad Of
superior intelligence, | might say
who used to be a sort of under-keeper
ND at the Hall, by name Tokely?" The
inspector smiled a little more.
Mrs. Siggs, after a moment or two OF
frowning contemplation of the hoor,
looked UP at him with a Frightening
face. ITO be sure l do" she SAID.
when | was a gal about 'ere-remem-
Der i'm we'll, | do. Let me see now
BETTY Siggs, immersed in ~recollections
of the past, lost sight of her visitor for
n moment OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
ed chan e was, with a taste for spyin'
out things wot didn't concern in"
HE was nothing of the sort broke
In Tokely, very red in h face. he
was a lad considerably above the aver
age of rustic intelligence-and ne
made his way In the world, ma,am, l
should like you to ~know--got his name
in the papers more than once
"Ah. lots o. folks manages to 40
that without meanin' It," said Betty
Siggs. with a little laugh. 1--WE knowed
a man to do 1t by breakin' a winder.'
Never mind about that" said the
,nsnector. tersely. The young man
Pm talking about got on In the world
by sheer merit. l IN that young man,
ma,am"-the Inspector tapped himself
dramatically on the breast-"now In
snector Tokely of Scotland Yard!"
Petty 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
ming himself on the breast again.
Have the goodness. ma'am to shut the
door"
Mrs. Siggs put a hand Out 70 do as
she was hidden, never taking her eyes
for a 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 IL
necessary.
Now, ma'am." began Tokely, wag'
ping his head and a foreinger at her
by way of caution, II want to ask you
a question or two, and I'll trouble you
TO be very careful what you say, or
what you don't say. / have been com
missioned to inquire into a case touch
ing a certain female of the name
he puiled a pocket-book from his coat
and diyed into 1t for a moment-"oi
the name of Patience Miller. Now, this
same PatisAce Miller
petty siggs suddenly threw up her
hands and clapped them over her ears
performing . species OF little dance