Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-24

sionally. At the present moment. the pre-
cocious child informed the strangers, Mr.
Stevens could be found at the Imperial
Palace Theater in Vauxhall Bridge road.
That is bit OF a coincidence" Venables
remarked. However. we can't do better
than go down to the theater."
There some little trouble in finding
Stevens. and the performance was nearly
at an end before he pointed out to
Walter by one of the attendants. He APP
peared to be none too sober, judging by his
flushed face and somewhat unsteady gait;
though. since the morning, his wardrobe
had undergone decided change for the
better. The greasy. seedy frock-coat had
vanished. Also the dilapidated silk hat.
In fact. the man looked quite prosperous.
Il would suggest that we don't speak to
him in here" Venables said. Let us fol-
low him out into the road
Walter fell in at once with the idea. In
the road Stevens paused II waiting for
somebody, and presently from the stage
door there appeared the slim. graceful fig
ure of Waldo. For some moments the two
men stood in earnest conversation together.
and from their attitude it was plainly evil
dent that they were in hot dispute upon
some point. The discussion lasted some
little time. Then. with a shrug of his
shoulders. Waldo put his hand in his pocket
and passed coin or two over to his COM
panion. Stevens was understood to say
something to the effect that that would
suffice for the present. Then he lounged OFF
down the road and paused presently before
public house, which gittered invltngly
opposite.
Venables whispered hurriedly. IF the fell
low has any more to drink he will be per-
fectly useless to us for the rest Of the
evening"
Stevens turned suspcously as Walter
spoke to him.
Il think your name is Stevens" the lat
ter said. MY friend here is a journalist
and is greatly interested in the Fitzjohn
S,,,,o W li,,rx
your evidence of this morning and have
come to the conclusion that you may be
able to afford us some useful information.
If you will answer a few questions We will
make it worth your while"
ITO the extent Of couple of sovereigns,"
Venables put in.
Then 1 am your man." Stevens ex-
claimed with alacrity. Perhaps you
wouldn't mind coming round far my
rooms. / have got a pretty poor memory
for things, SO l always tot everything down
in my diary. l put everything down pretty
well. because you never know what infor-
nation is likely to be useful. 1 once made
fifty pounds out of the simple fact that l
saw footman reading some postcards he
was posting. Since then l have neglected
no trifies."
What we want" Walter explained, lis
all you can tell US about Mr.. Louis Della
hay. You know him very we'll by sight
and you must be acquainted with some of
his habits"
Stevens idugneu hllUWlLSIy anu HOuueu
his head.
II could open your eyes about a few of
them in that neighborhood." he said. Il
haven't been loafing about Fitzjohn Square
all these months for nothing. If l were a
blackmailer. which l am not, ! could live
on the fat of the land. That is too dan
gerous game to play, and l prefer to get
along as am"
The man was evidently in a condition
when he was past concealing anything. He
chartered away glibly until his rooms were
reached Then with a flourish he opened
the door and invited his visitors to enter.
He apologiZed for the fact that he had
nothing wherein to entertain the strangers,
which apology was duly accepted. 1t was,
perhaps, on the whole, fortunate thing
that Stevens cellar was empty. He ushered
his companions into grimy room, stuffy
from want of air and reeking with the
odor of stale tobacco smoke.
You will excuse me for moment" he
said politely. Il will go into my bedroom
and get my diary. suppose pretty well
all you want to know has happened quite
lately
1T is the last six months with which we
are chiefly concerned" Walter explained
Before that does not matter"
Stevens turned away and closed the door
behind him. He was gone some little time,
that his visitors had ample opportunity
to take stock of their surroundings. There
was nothing in the place of any value ex-
cept a small circular picture in a hand
some frame, depicting a beautiful face,
which was evidently the work OF some
artist of repute. The painting was so glar
ingly out of place that 1t Immediately at
tracted Venables attention.
How did that get here?" he asked.
My word. you may we'll ask that" Wal
ter cried in surprise. Here is another
amazing discovery. You remember my
uncle being robbed Of some pictures few
years ago, one of which he declared was
the best thing he had ever done?"
You don't mean to say" Venables ex-
claimed that that"
Indeed l do Walter said under his
breath. Il declare to you that the painting
hanging up there is the one which my uncle
always considered his masterpiece"
ITO he continued fonorrow