The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1907-12-05
CHAPTER XII
A Speaking Likeness

And | have been thinking" Wal
ter explained, that we might get
a good deal more out of the witness
John Stevens. He is the sort of
man who ould do anything for
money, and sovereign or two
ought to loosen his tongue. If
had been the coroner should have
asked Stevens great many more
questions this morning"
1t was no difficult matter to get
Stevens address, and presently the
two friends reached the shabby
house in the dingy street where
Stevens lived. An exceedingly dirty
child informed the visitors that Mr..
Stevens was out, but that he could
be found at the Imperial Palace
theater in auxhall Bridge road.
That is a bit of a coincidence"
Venables remarked However, we
can't do better than go down to the
theater"
There was some little trouble in
finding Stevens, and the perform
ance was nearly at an end before
he was pointed out to Walter by
one of the attendants. He appeared
to be none too sober, judging by his
flushed face and somewhat I'M
steady gait; though, since the
morning, his wardrobe had under
gone a decided change for the bet
ter. The greasy. seedy frock coat
had vanished. Also the dilapidated
silk hat In fact the man looked
quite prosperous.
81 would suggest that we don't
speak to him in here" Venables
said. Let us follow him out into
the road
Walter fell in at once with the
idea. In the road Stevens paused
as if waiting for somebody, and
presently from the stage door there
appeared the slim, graceful figure
Of Waldo. For some moments the
two men stood in earnest converse
ton together, and from their atti-
tude If was plainly evident that
they were in hot dispute upon some
point. The discussion lasted some
time. Then with shrug of his
shoulders, Waldo put his hand In
his pocket and passed a coin or
two over to hts companion. Stevens
was understood to say something
to the effect that that would suf
flee for the present. Then he
lounged off down the road and
paused presently before public
house which glittered invitingly
opposite.
Catch him before he goes in
there" Venables whispered hur
riedly. IF the fellow has any
more to drink he will be perfectly
useless to us for the rest of the
evening"
Stevens turned suspiciously as
Walter spoke to him.
Il think your name is Stevens,
the latter said. MY friend here is
a journalist and is greatly inter
ested in the Fitzjohn square mys
terry. We have been reading your
evidence of this morning and have
come to the conclusion that you
may be able to afford us some use
full information. If you will answer
a few questions we will make il
worth your while"
ITO the extent of a couple OF
sovereigns," Venables put in.
Then l am your man." Stevens
exclaimed with alacrity. perhaps
you wouldn't mind coming round as
far as my rooms. have got 6
pretty poor memory for things, sc
l always jot everything down in m!
diary. put everything dowr
pretty well, because you neve
know what information is likely t(
be useful. | once made SO pound.
out of the simple fact that | saw {
footman reading some post cards
he was posting. Since then | have
neglected no trifles."
What we want" Walter ex
planned, ''is all you can tell us
about Mr.. Louis Delahay. YOU
know him very well by sight. anG
you must be acquainted with some
of his habits"
Stevens laughed knowingly, and
nodded his head as he ushered his
companions into grimy room
stuffy from want of air, and reek
ing with the odor Of stale tobacco
smoke.
you will excuse me for a mo
ment," he said politely. 81 will &c
into my bedroom and get my
diary"
He was gone some little time, sc
that his visitors had ample oppor
tunity to take stock of their sur
roundings. There was nothing In
the place of any value except g
small circular picture in a hand
some frame, depicting a beautiful
face, which was evidently the worl
of some artist of repute. The
painting was so glaringly out o.
place that IL immediately attracted