The Monmouth inquirer. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1865-1933, 1907-02-28
Below Stairs
BY Win A. Page.
Copyright, 1907. by c. H. sutcliffe.


llvans, the butler, was industriously
res ding the newspaper out loud. On
the other side of the kitchen table Nor
timer, the coachman, was mending his
whip.
1.-THE daring robbers then bundled up
their booty and decamped," the POM
pous butler read very loudly, leaving
the detective officers baffied without a
clew. AS there was no evidence that
the doors had been forced or locks
tempered with, the detectives were at
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.
81 say, Mortimer, old chap, that isn't
such a bad haul, is it? The paper
says they got away with $1,000 worth
of silver"
bad haul?' queried Mortimer.
+, what are you talking about?
! Talking about" repeated Evans,
disguised. "Why, what else should l
be talking about but the big robbery
down the street at old man Walcotts
house?"
"Oh, I'm sorry | didn't know you
were reading anything of Importance"
sT of i,T1nnrfonOn
AS the servants there are suspected,
that naturally places us in an awkward
position"
What do you meanY'
"Aren't we all servants? And if one
of the fashionable families takes up a
fad don't all the other fashionable fam
lilies follow suit?"
Nonsense, Evans. You're an old
fool"
81 tell you,' persisted Evans, that if
the Walcott servants are suspected Of
dishonesty the servants of every fash
ionable family in the city will have to
clear their characters"
'Why, we are well known to the
missus. I have been with her six
years, yet you dare And Mortimer
rose, dourishing his whip.
II don't mean you" sneered Evans.
TITS Miss Charlotte who is more like
" to be suspected"
Mortimer resisted the inclination to
strike the fellow, though he was strong
ly tempted The doorbell sounding
then, Evans, with a muttered impreca-
ton, rushed to a small mirror hanging
on the kitchen wall, primped himself
and disappeared. bowling deliberately to
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 a detective" he cried, rushing
across the room toward the door which
led into the front basement. 81 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 want?' inquired
Charlotte.
That's just what I'm going to find
out. There's furnace pipe in there
that is loose, and it opens right under
where the detective is sitting. 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 a
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 in Mortimer, dropping
the whip.
Jealous? Well, I like thatt' with a
toss of the head.
Perhaps 1 shouldn't say jealous"
continued Mortimer, abashed. but,
you see, wanted to ask you
"Well?"
Elf you'd spend your next evening
out with me, unless you have some
other engagement"
Next week, on ThursdayY said
Charlotte coquettishly. mo. don't
think / have anything on my card"
"Then I'll put you down for next
Thursday, Miss Charlotte. Thanksw
did you say it was for the grand
opera, Mr.. Mortimer?'
mo, Miss Charlotte; for the coach
mems ball"
"The coachmen's ballY repeated
/ Charlotte enthusiastically ooh, how
jolly! I've always wanted to go to a
coachmen's ball. lists rather ex-
4 elusive, isn't il? r.
! IT 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-
tions of future happiness, and Morti-
mer was dispatched posthaste to. the