Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-10-03

and even business is better than rush.
ing round town and pretending to en-.
| Joy youryelf when it's hotter than the
seven brass hinges of hell and you
can't think of anything else.
| I'll do it,"
He stepped quickly to the corner Of
the room, where stood the telephone
upon q small side table, sat down, and,
receiver to ear, gave central q num-
Der. In another moment he was In
communication with his attorneys res.
idence.
rs Mr.. Bannerman in? would like
| to-"
why, Mr.. Bannerman! How Dc
! you do?"
you're looking 100 per cent. bet.
| ter"
bad, mad word! Naughty"
| Maitland, of course"
Been out Of town and Just got your
note"
Your beastly penchant for econ
omy. It's not stamped; presume you
sent it round by hand Of the future
president of the United States whom
you now employ as oflce boy. And
O'Hagan didn't forward 1t for that
| reason"
Important. Ell? I'm only in for the
night"
Then come and dine with mo at the
Primordial. I'll put the others or
Good enough. In an hour. then?
Good-by."
Hanging up the receiver, Maitland
waited few moments ere again put
ting 1t to his ear. This time he called
UP Sherry's. asked for the head-waiter.
and requested that person to be kind
enough to make his excuses to "Mr.
Greasy ard party" he, Maitland, was
detained upon a matter of moment,
but would endeayor to join them ct q
later hour.
Then, with q satisfied smile, he
turned away, with purpose to dispose
of Bannerman's note.
Baths ready. sof.
O'Hagans announcement fell upon
needless ears Maitland remained mo-
tionless before the desk-transfixed
With ama1ement.
Baths ready, sor!"-imperatively.
Maitland reused slightly.
Very we'll: in q minute. O'Hagan."
Yet for some time he did not move.
Slowly the heavy brows contracted
over intent eyes as he strove to puz-
1le it out. At length his lips moved
noiselessly.
Am awake?" was the question he
put his CONSCIOUSNESS.
Wondering. he bent. forward and
drew the tip Of one forehnger across
the black polished wood Of the writing
bed. 1t left dark, heavy line. And
beside, clearly defined in the heavy
layer Of dust, was the silhouette OF
hand; woman's hand. small. delicate,
Enthusiastically feminine Of contour.
Well" declared Maitland. frankly.
Il am damned"
Further and closer inspection de.
veloped the fact that the imprint had
been only recently made. Within the
hour-unless Maitland were indeed
mad or dreaming woman had stood
by that desk and rested q hand, palm
down. upon 1t: not yet had the dust
had time to settle and blur the sharp
outlines.
Maitland shook his head with be-
wilderment, thinking of the gray girl.
But no. He rejected his half-formed
explanation-the obvious one Besides,
what had he there worth thiefs
while? Beyond q few articles of
virtue and bigotry' and his pictures,
there was nothing valuable in the en-
tire fiat. His papers? But he had
nothing; handful of letters, cheque
book, pass book, q japanned tin dis
patch box containing some business
memoranda and papers destined event
ually for Bannerman's hands; but
nothing negotiable, nothing worth
burglars while.
1t was fat-topped desk, Of mahos
any, with two pedestals Of drawers, all
locked. Maitland determined this lat
ter fact by trying to open them with
out a key: failing, his key-ring solved
the difnculty in jiffy. But the draw
ers seemed undisturbed; nothing had
been either handled, or removed, or
displaced 80 far as he could deter
mine. And again he wagged his head
from side to side in solemn stupefac-
ton.
"This ifs beyond you. Dan, my boy"
And: But I've got to know what II
means"
In the hall O'Hagan was stunning
Impotence. Pondering deeply, Matt
land relocked the desk and got upon
his feet. Al small bowl Of beaten brass,
which he used as an ash receiver,
stood ready to his hand; he took 1t up,
carefully blew 1t clean Of dust, and
inverted 1t over the print OF the hand.
On top of the bowl he placed q
weighty afterthought in the shape Of
book.
"OHagan!"
"Waitin', sor."
Come hither, O'Hagan. You SEE
that desk?"
Visor
Are you sure?"
"Ah, faith"
II want you not to touch 1t, OLA
gan. Under penalty of my extreme dis
pleasure. don't lay finger on it till l
give you permission. Don't dare to
dust 1t. DO you understand"
Visor. Very good. Mr.. Maitland"