The San Francisco call., 1908-10-04
The San Francisco Sunday Call

answered. you and the detectives we.e
thorough in your search for the pocket
book?"
yes. Mrs Pinckney.''
You looked everywhere?
1--WE did"
THAT answers your question. I think.
Mr. Rankin" said the lady quietly You
may go. Filkins"
Pardon me again. interposed RAN
kin quickly "Will you detain Filkins
just a minute. Mrs. Pinckney. and may
/ ask you what is at the foot OF the
stairs where you first stopped?
The lady reflected. The umbrella
stand. I believe she replied
That too. was searched, of cOurse?
Il suppose so. Was IL not. FtlktnSY
The little man changed color and
looked angrily at Rankin who was
gazing TRANQUILITY at painting on an
easel near him. Il examined II myseiI.
Mrs. Pinckney"
Since Mr. Rankin in the capacity OF
detective is so interested" she con-
tinued. there is no harm in looking
again What do you say, Mr.. Rankin!
she added sarcasticaIly. viii 1t graft
fy you if we make further Inspection
NO harm, as you have said, an
swered Rankin politely
Then you may search the umbrella
stand. Filkins."
With your permission. Mrs. Pinck-
ney." put in Rankin. suppose we all
three join in the search. 1t may be
foolish quest. but ii Will at least satisfy
my curiosity"
The lady laughed and rose from her
chair. and the party moved slowly to
the end of the hall Filkins vainly en-
deavOring 10 catch Rankin's eye. and
Rankin as studiOusly looking in every
other direction. The little man ran his
arm down into the stand and at the
first trial brought up the missing
pocketb Mrs. Pinckney gave a cry
of astonishment and looked helplessly
at Rankin. Now. what do you think
of that?" she asked pathetically.
Il think" answered Rankin cOOlly.
that Filkins seems TO have earned
reward. whatever it may be. But 1t
isn't mysterious at ALL Mrs. PinCkney
When you stopped at the foot of the
stairs you laid your pocketbook on
the rim of the stand. and at the frst
jar IL naturally tumbled over among
the canes and umbrellas. / cannot.
however. compliment your detective
service. even though Filkins made
personal examination. as he says
And to think" said the lady, that
have unjustly suspected my servants"
That is the sad part of it," replied
Rankin ironically. Injustice to ones
servants. he added with wicked
glance at FiIkins, lis always a painful
reflection
Go at once. Filkins." said Mrs.
Pinckney. and telephone TO the de-
tectives that the pOcketbOok has been
found and that everything is here Tell
them also that they will be properly
compensated for their services. Then
call up Mr. Pinckney and inform him"
The expression of chagTtn and per-
plexity on Mrs. Pinckney's face was
still there when Rankin, trying hard
to repress his delight at Filkins' dis
comfture. congratulated her on the re-
covery of her treasure.
Il hardly know what to say, Mr..
Rankin" the lady began with embar-
rassment. First / must apologize to
you for my previous discOurtesy in re-
fusinS to see you. since YOU have
proved so helpful. and then 7 must
thank you for the great service you
have rendered. Now I can we'll un-
derstand why they should value your
detective ability at your Office. There
is another matter she added. hesi-
tatingly. which / hope I may speak
to you about without Offense. Perhaps
you know that I offered a reward for
the return of the ring. 1t will give me
the greatest pleasure il you will per-
NIT me to recognize what you have
done little more substantially than by
words
Rankin laughed. Aside from my
personal feelings. Mrs Pinckney~ am
| afraid that the ethics of my profession
would not allow me To receive any other
, reward than thanks for this slight SER
| vice But il is possible that one of
these days may ask you to do small
favor for a friend of mine, who is in
need of little encouragement and as
sistance, and whom you might materi-
ally assist by your moral support"
; Il shall be ready at the first sugges-
; ton" replied the lady warmly. Com
~,f -
, Rankin whistled softly as he went
down the steps. a pretty good after
Moons work this" he said. "even if
have done the Advertiser out OF story
1t is worth a weeks pay TO get ahead
i of that little scamp of a butler. Luck
lily he sewed himself up without my as
sistance."
Thus far" mused Rankin. as he
turned and left the little man mutter-
ing and vOwing vengeance. 1t has been
easy sailing enough. but what will Old
Nails say when I approach him with
this emasculated story? He was
counting on a big news feature and
here 1 come with a pitiable little add
city summary dismissing the whole
matter with the recital Of woman's
fOrgetfulness. Am I right in being
soft hearted? 1t looks like taking
mean advantage Of a confiding city
editor"
But Rankin did not count on the re-
sourcefulness of Old Nails. That able
editor listened to- his preliminary apoI-
? Ogy with series of grunts and then
: hearkened more attentively while Ran
kin related the particulars OF the re-
covery Of the pocketbook. beginning
I automatically with the visit 10 Mrs.
Pinckney'S house. His expression be-
came more and more interested as the
story progressed. and at the concIu-
, sion Old Nails brought his hand down
on his desk with a resounding whack
And you say that's no story? I'm
surprised at you. Rankin. That's as
good piece OF work as you have done
in a year. It's worth column and a
, half at least, not counting the pictures
of the hall. the umbrella stand and the
, woman counfOunded by the evidence OF
, her carelessness. Isn't 1t something
that the Advertiser has succeeded in
, unraveling mystery which has puz-
zled the entire detective force? Well
play up that feature big Get to work
and write IL up in your very best
style You can't make the detective