Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1907-05-08
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Il never saw this young women be
FORE" he admitted slowly.
'Ha!" cried the chief, glad to find
some one culpable.
did you receive your invitation
through the proper channels?" asked
Hamilton.
II came here tonight, "-coldly, ION
the invitation of Mrs. Hyphen-Bonds,
who sailed for Europe Wednesday"
Here was an alibi that was an
alibi! was all at sea. Hamilton
bowed; the chief coughed worriedly
behind his hand. The girl had told
me she was an impostor like myself,
that her ten Of hearts was as dark
stained as my own. could not make
head or tail to It. Mrs. Hyphen-
Bonds! She was law in the land,
especially in Blankshire, the larger
part of which she owned. What did
1t all mean? And what was her idea
in posing as an impostor?
The door opened again,
"The patrol has come" said the Of
deer who entered.
LET 1t watt" growled the chief.
"Haggerty has evidently got us all
balled up. l don't believe his fashion
able thief has materialized at ALL just
a common crook. Well, he's got him,
at any rate, and the gems"
you have, of course, the general
invitation" said Hamilton.
Here is it,"-and she passed the
engraved card to him.
Il beg thousand pardons!" said
Hamilton humbly. Everything seems
to have gone wrong"
will you guarantee this MANI"
asked the chief of Hamilton, nodding
toward me.
II have said so. Mr.. Comstalk is
very well known to me. He is q re-
tired army officer, and to my knowl-
edge man with an income sufficient
to put him far beyound want"
What is your manner" asked the
chief of the girl, scowling. 1t was quite
evident he couldn't understand her
actions any better than l.
Alice Hawthorne" with an oblique
glance at me-
had been right!
What is your occupation? am
obliged to ask these questions, Miss"
Il am miniature painter, briefly.
Hamilton came forward. Alice
Hawthorne? Pardon me, but are you
the artist who recently completed the
miniature of the Emperor of Germany,
the Princess of Hesse, and Mrs. Hy-
phen-Bonds?"
Il am. believe there is no fur
Their reason for OBTAINING me-"
Emperor of Germany" echoed the
now bewildered chief. why didn't
you tell all this to Mr.. Haggerty?"
II had my reasons"
Once again the door opened. A bur-
ly man in dark business-suit entered.
His face was rudy and his little grey
eyes sparkled with suppressed ire. He
reminded me Of Vautrin, the only diff
ference being that Vautrin was French
while this man was distinctly Irish.
His massive shoulders betrayed ire
mendous strength. He was vastly an
CRY about something. He went to the
chiefs desk and rested his hands upon
it.
You are nice specimen for chief
of police, you are!" he began.
And who the devil are your"
bawled the chief, his choler rising.
I'll tell you who am presently"
We all eyed him in wonder. What
was going to happen now?
Which of you gentlemen is Mr..
Hamilton" asked the newcomer
grufhy.
Hamilton signifed that he was the
gentleman by that name.
Some ladies at your ball have been
robbed of their diamonds / under
stand?"
about ten thousands dollars
worth"
Look here, sir" cried the chief,
standing up and balling his fist, Il
want you to explain yourself, and
mighty quick. You can't come into
my presence in this manner"
Bah! You have just permitted the
cleverest rascal in the state to slip
through your butter-fngers. l am Hag-
gerty."
The chief Of police sat down sud
denly.