Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-09-11
By FERGUS HUME,
y "C6s Mystery / q Ransom Cab. ""6as Ma,

"My ladies, Mrs. krill and Nils Maud. They had this 'ouse and kep' i for years respectable. I worked fo lem ten, and when my ladies comes il for a forting for a forting there is they gave me the goodwill of the Ret Pig. To think of Debby being the serv ant of poor Mir Krill as was killed Who killed imp
 Doesn't your mistress know" "Sher' cried Matilda indignantly and bouncing up. Why, she was always a-lookin' for him, not as she loved him overmuch. And as he is dead, sir, it's no more as what he oughter be, seeing as he killed poor lady in this very 'ouse. You'll sleep in Ter room tonight, ' added Matilda. as if that was pleas ure. "Srangled, she was"
 "I think heard of that. But Lady Rachel Sandal committed suicide'
 Matilda rubbed her nose after the Deborah fashion. Well sir, my ladies were never sure which it was. and. of course, 1t was before my time consid. ,erable, being more nor twenty year back. But the man as did it is dead and Ief' my ladies his money, as he oughter. An Miss Maud's a-goin' to marry a real gent'-Matilda glanced at the photograph. T allays snid he wos a gent, bein' so auGhty like and wear ing evening dress at meals, late"
 ''Was he ever down here-this gen tleman"
 Hes been comin' and goin' fur months, and Miss Maud loves i'm somethin' cruel. But. they'll marry now an be 'appy"
 T suppose your ladies sometimes went to see this gent in town?"
 "Meanin' Mir Hay" said Matilda art lessly. Well, sir, they did, one at a time and then together. Missus would go and miss would foller, an miss an missus together would take their joy of the Towers an shops and Mime Tusord's and sich like, Mfr Hay allays loollin' after 'em."
 Did they ever visit MT. Hay in July"
 ''No, they didn't" snapped Matilda, with change of tone which did not escape Hurd, and I don't know, sir, why you arsk them questions"
 My good woman, ask no questions. If do, you need not reply. Let us change the subject My sister tells me you make good curries in this hotel"
 "Hokar do, me bein' but a plain cook"
 "Oh! He's an Indian?"
 "Yes, he is, sir. A pore Indian cast away as missus took up with when he come here drenched with rain and weary. An, missus was allays good and kind and Christianlike"
 Privately Hurd thought this descrip- tion did not apply very we'll to the lady fin question. but he was careful not to arouse Matllda's suspicious again by contradicting her. He pretended to joke. 'I wonder you don't marry this Indian and keep him here always to make the curries I have heard of"
 'Me merry a black"' cried Matilda, tossing her rough head. Well. sir, never" her breath failed her, "an' him goin' about the country" !, What do you mean by that"
 "What say" said Miss Junk. Hell stop here. Christianllke. for days and then go orf to sell things as 'awker My par was 'awker. sir, but white white man of the finest" Hurd was about to ask another ques- tlon. when husky voice was heard singing somewhat out of tune. Whats thatT' asked Hurd irritably. Tor. sir. wot nervses you ave! Iris only Cap'n Jessop maxim hisself i'appy-like."
 Captain Jessop" Hurd laughed. He had run down his man at last.