Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-19

in my business card at once" he said.
| Permit me-"
| Maitland accepted the card and ele-
waited his brows "Ohr' he said. putting
it down. his manner becoming perceptibly
less cordial. Il say, O'Hagan.'
| 'Yessor?'
81 shall be busy for VIII half an
hour satisfy you. Mr.. Snaith?'
"You are most kind the stranger
bowed.
I'm half an hour. o'Hagan. you may re-
very good, sor." And the hall door
| closed.
| 80" said Maitland. turning to face the
man squarely, "you are from police head
| quarters?'
l. LAS you see' Mr. Snaith motioned deli
| cately toward his business card-as he
called 1t.
"Well?"-after moments pause:
II am a detective. you understand"
Perfectly" Maitland assented. I'M
moved.
His caller seemed partly amused. partly
| but very Observation-Disclosures. Il have
| been assigned to cover the affair of last
night" he continued. blandly. Il pre-
sumo you have no objection to giving me
| what information you may possess"
"Credentials?''
The mans amusement was made visible
in a fugitive smile, half hidden by his
small and neatly trimmed mustache
Mutely eloquent, he turned back the lapel
Of his coat. exposing small shield, at
which Maitland glanced casually.
VERY WE'LL he consented, bored but re-
signed. Fire ahead. but make 1t as brief
as you can; I've an engagement in
glancing at the clock-'an hour and must
dress
"I'll detain you no longer than is es-
sential Of course you understand
| how keen we are after this man. Anisty."
What puzzles me-" Maitland inter-
rupted. us how you got wind of the af-
fair so SOON"
Then you have not heard?" Mr.. Snaith
exhibited polite surprise.
II am just out Of bed.
"Anisty escaped shortly after you left
Maitland Manor"
"Ahn'
Mr.. Snaith knitted his brows, evidently
at loss whether to ascribe Maitland'S
exclamation due to surprise. regret or
relief Which pleased Maitland. who had
been at pains to make his tone noncom-
initial. In point of fact he was neither
surprised nor regretful.
Thunder" he continued. slowly. Il
forgot to phone Higgins
THAT is why l called. Your butler did
not know where you could be found. You
had left in great haste. promising to send
constables; you failed to do so; Higgins
got no word. In the course of an hour
or so his charge began to choKe-or pre-
tended to. Higgins became alarmed and
| removed the gag. Anisty lay quiet until
then began to abuse Higgins for thick
headed idiot
Mr.. snaith interrupted himself to
chuckle lightly.
You noticed a resemblance" he re-
sumed
Maitland. too. was smiling. Some
1T is really remarkable. If you will per-
NIT me to say So Snaith was studying
his hosts face intently Higgins, poor
fellow. had his faith shaken to the foun-
dations. This Anisty must be clever
actor as we'll as a master burglar. Hav-
ing cursed Higgins root and branch. he
got his second wind and. explained that
he was-Mr. Maitland! Conceive Higgins
position. What could he do?'
What he did. gather"
Precisely.
And Anisty?"
"Once 1oosed he knocked Higgins over
with the butt Of a revolver Jumped out
the butler got his senses back, Anisty,
presumably. was miles away. Mr..
Maitland" said Snaith. sharply.
"Yes?" responded Maitland, elevating
| his brows, refusing to be startled
| "Why," crisply didn't you send the
constables from Greenfields, according to
your promise?'
Maitland laughed uneasily and looked
down. visibly embarrassed, acting with
| consummate address. playing the game for
all he was worth. and enjoying it hugely.
"Why Really, Mr..
| Snaith. I must confess"
"A confession would aid US materially"
dryly 1.-The case is perplexing. You
round up a burglar sought by the police
of two continents and listlessly permit
| his escape. Why?"
II would rather not be pressed" said
M,i.land, with evident candor; ':but,
s.rce you say it is imperative that you
| n,lst know" Snaith inclined his head
| affirmatively 'Why to tell the
truth. l was a bit under the weather last
| night: out with a party of friends. you
know. Dare say we all had a bit more
than we could carry. The capture was
| purely Accidentally; we had other plans for
the night and-well," laughing shortly, II
| didn't give the matter too much thought,
beyond believing that Higgins would hold
the man tight"
| II see. 1t is unfortunate. but =
you motored back to town.
! (To be continued tomorrow.l