The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1907-06-21
Below Stairs
By Will A. Page.


Evans, the butler, was industriously
reading the newspaper out loud. Or
the other side of the kitchen table Nor
timer, the coachman, was mending his
whip
1.-The daring robbers then bundled vi
their booty and decamped," the pom
pous butler read very loudly. leaving
the detective officers baffled without {
clew. AS there was no evidence tina
the doors had been forced or locks
tempered with, the detectives were a
first inclined to suspect the servants
but as Mr. Walcott declared he had the
utmost faith in them the police were
not allowed to search their rooms"
Mortimer, oblivious Of the newspaper
item, did not reply when Evans stop
ped reading as though expecting some
comment.
Il say, Mortimer, old chap, that ISM
such bad haul, is it? The paper
says they got away with $1,000 wortl
of silver"
bad haul?' queried Mortimer
what are you talking about"
Talking about" repeated Evans
disguised. "Why, what else should
be talking about but the big robbery
down the street at old man Walcott's
house"
ooh, I'm sorry. l didn't know yor
were reading anything of Importance
II should say it was Of Importance
AS the servants there are suspected
that naturally places us in an awkward
position"
What do you mean"
aren't we all servants? And If one
Of the fashionable families takes up g
fad don't all the other fashionable fam
lilies follow suitY'
Nonsense, Evans. You're an ole
fool"
Il tell you," persisted Evans, that Ii
the Walcott servants are suspected OF
dishonesty the servants Of every fash
ionable family in the city will have tc
clear their characters"
"Why, we are we'll known to the
missus. have been with her SIX
years, yet you dare And Mortimer
rose, flourishing his whip.
Il don't mean you," sneered Evans
It's Miss Charlotte who is more like
ly to be suspected"
Mortimer resisted the inclination to
strike the fellow, though he was strong
ly tempted. The doorbell sounding
then, Evans, with n muttered impreca
ton, rushed to a small mirror hanging
on the kitchen wall, primped himself
and disappeared, bowling deliberately tc
Charlotte, the maid newly come to
service, who happened to be entering
the kitchen at that particular moment
''Now, then, you stupid" broke In
Charlotte, you almost made me drop
the chinaware."
Charlotte bowed, without speaking
to Mortimer, who commenced to mend
the whip with redoubled anxiety. She
busted herself at the gas stove making
chocolate, and neither spoke a word
for several moments. Then Evans
broke in hurriedly upon them.
ITS q detective" he cried, rushing
across the room toward the door which
led into the front basement. Il seen
it on the card he sent up to the missus.
"A. L. Walker, Detective Headquar-
ters;' that's what the card said" He
opened the door into the basement.
But what does he wantW inquired
Charlotte.
That's just what I'm going to find
out. There's q furnace pipe In there
that is loose, and it opens right under
where the detective Is sitting I can
hear every word" And he disappeared
into the cellar.
I'm afraid Mr.. Evans Is not trou-
bled by scruples, Mr.. Mortimer" said
Charlotte, turning to the gas stove
again. II always thought buffers q
bad lot"
I'm glad you think So" began Nor
timer.
"Why, Mr.. Mortimer, what do you
mean"
'Of course one can't be jealous Of a
butler" broke i'll Mortimer, dropping
the whip.
Jealous? Well, I like thatv' with a
toss of the head.
Perhaps l shouldn't say jealous"
continued Mortimer, abashed. "But,
you see, 1 wanted to ask you"-
"Wen"
-''if you'd spend your next evening
out with me, unless you have some
other engagement"
"Ncxt week, on ThursdayW said
Charlotte coquettishly. mo, l don't
think 1 have anything on my card"
"Then I'll put you down for next
Thursday, Miss Charlotte. Thanks"
"Did you say it was for the grand
opera, Mr. Mortimer"
NO, Miss Charlotte; for the coach
mems ball.
1.-The coachmen's ballY repeated
Charlotte enthusiastically. "Oh, how
jolly! I've always wanted to go to a
coachmens ball. lists rather ex-
elusive, isn't it?"
Il should say So" answered Morti-
mer proudly. "Only those who drive
for the west end families are eligible"
The sudden boiling over Of the milk
interrupted these pleasant anticipa-
tons of future happiness, and Morti
mer was dispatched posthaste to the
dining room to secure some chocolate.
Charlotte, left alone, reached for her
handkerchief and found letter In the
pocket of her apron. Evidently she
was deeply Interested, for she read
and reread the letter several times.
Then she united the handkerchief, dis
closed n large diamond ring and tried
1t on several fingers.
"Cracky! A dIamondw cried Evans,
entering suddenly from the cellar.
Charlotte hastily returned the ring tt
her pocket.
Its my own" she declared. at
was given to me by n dear old lady
who has just died"
stuff and nonsensew broke in the
man roughly. IT'S the diamond some
one stole from the missus. l heard all
about 1t through the stove pipe. The
detective Is looking for 1t now. He's
going to search the house"
but it's mine, l say
"Ah, your game is up. my girl. Give
me the ring and l won't tell. Say