Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1907-06-20

box of candy, some stray bits of chewing
gum and a most bewilderins array of t'uf-
f. lingerie. After that he reached in again
and lifted out a wooden tray containing a
dozen silver medals, each one reposins in
n case Of velvet.
The chief looked at them critically.
Presently he turned to the professor.
Perhaps you will give us some explana-
ton of these coins.'
perhaps | WON'T he cried retklessly;
that stuff don't belong to me-
Something like u groan came from the
lady's side of the room. Stuff she re-
pratcd to herself with Il half sob.
Did you wish to speak. madam asked
the unruffled one.
If | may have your royal permission."
she exclaimed. her nose tilted up to an
angle of forty-five degrees above zero,
eyes flashing.
You have. madam" he said. rising and
bowling so low that the strain on the band
of his waistcoat came perilously near the
breaking point. II am your most obedient
servant"
ITO begin ut the beginning" she said,
mimicking his introductory words. that
trunk and all that it contains belong to
me"
The chief Inspector bowed again.
Everything will be passed without
question: he said in his most insinuating
voice. 'if YOU will simply explain the
'i'sti - - vi I'St ttlNS anu lIit - HOu
propose to make of them" Then with Il
lurring laugh, Il don't suppose they are
imported for commercial purposes?'
Il brought them over for my collection
Of coins" she said, standing in the center
of the room and keeping her back to the
professor. II am devoted to the science
of numismatics. My collection begins with
coins used by the Greeks In the seventh
century before the christian era. The
dozen medals in the trunk contain the
heads of twelve of the Roman emperors.
They are not to be sold; they are for my
personal curio cabinet"
"Perfec;ly. satisfactory" exclaimed the
chief, with 4 srandiloquent GESTURE. land
on behalf of the government ! beg to apol-
oeize for the necessary annoyance we have
given you. Your trunk will Ike repacked
Immediately and forwarded to your adj
dress"
While the chief was speaking, the por-
| terra had brought in another biz Saratoga
trunk as like the first one us If il were its
Now. madam" said the suave ore. re-
Stunning his official manner. "it appears
that this trunk was delivered to your adj
dress"
The outward similarity of the trunks
puzzled her. She scrutinizcd the last one
carefully. and then said cautiously:
YES, that is the one"
The professors attention was dit.ded ho-
tween the girl and The medals. Admiration
and establishment Were struggling for eX-
preston on his grave ccuntcnance. He
noted. merely in Il mechanical way. that
the last trunk was being opened. The in
! spector dove down into il as he had in the
| first. He used both hands. His haul was a
rich one. for when they turned to him he
was holding up to their astonished gaze Il
pair of trousers. Il batn robe. u meer-
schaum pipe and a leather flask.
The chief coushed discreetly behind the
palm of his hand.
Tit is scarcely necessary. madam, to
ask whether these-these articles are for
your own personal use and adornment.'
Scarcely" she retorted. with her nose
once more tilted skywArd and her eyes on
vacancy.
The professor had come out of his
| stupor by this time.
Those things are mine: that's my
trunk" he said.
Il judged" she said In a stage whisper.
and with a deep intonation on the last
word. that 1t was your stuff"
"Finish the cXamination-as n matter of
FORM directed the chief to his assist
ant.
The assistant continued, bringing out
such articles of distinctly masculine taste
as a decorated beer mug. a leather tobac-
co pouch and a walking stick. Suddenly
he paused and began to unite a long. mar
row package. After he had opened it he
gazed on it with a puzzled look.
whats this" he said finally.
The professor. who had been yawning,
began TO color. Being compelled to
speak, he said hastily:
"Oh. that's only mistletoc!"
"Mistletoe?" queried the chief, almost
losing his impcrturbabil!ty.
Every eye was turned toward the hap
less professor.
Perhaps / should explain-'
Not at all said the chief ~indulgently.
its free of duty"
"It's not that. you know" stammered
the professor. You see it's this way. I'm
writing a monograph on the Superstitions
of the Druids. This-this mist!etoe grows
on the sacred trees. and l thought some
how to make II plausible explanation be-
tween ancient superstitIons and modern
customs: $3.50 I got this mistletoe from
the apple orchards of Normandy. You
know with a deep sigh of relief at
reaching the end,'' there's nothing like
studying from original documents
They left the room together. going along
the dim hallway. He was thinking of the
medals and the science of numismatics.
You surprised me" he said.
Indeed with something of the old
sarcasm.
YES he said, ignoring the irony. II
never dreamt you were a collector. l have
been one for years. But you have beaten
me at my own game. Those Roman med
ais are the very ones 1 have wanted for
years"
His earncstress touched her.
Perhaps they may be yours she said
gently.
"Oh. my dear girl" he exclaimed warm
ly, Il couldn't think of depriving you OF
such treasures