Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-10-16

dress. a gentleman of taste and judg
ment as we'll as Of means to crafty
both. A certain jaunty and summary
touch in his attire suggested a person
of leisure who had just run down from
his country place for day in town.
His voice, when he spoke, did moth
ing to dispel the illusion.
"Mr. Maitland?" he opened the con
versation briskly. II trust | do not
intrude? / shall be brief as possible
il you will favor me with a private in
terview."
Maitland remarked voice well mod
ulated and a good choice OF words. He
rose courteously.
Il should be pleased to do so" he
suggested, "if you could advance any
reason for such request"
Mr.. Snaith smiled discreetly, fun
bling in his side pocket A second slip
of cardboard appeared between his fin
gers as he stepped over toward Matt.
land
IF I had not feared it might deprive
me OF this interview, l should have
sent In my business card at once he
said. Permit me-
Maitland accepted the card and ele.
waited his brows. Obi" he said, put
ting IT down, his manner becoming per
ceptibly less cordial. Il say, O'Hagan.'
"Yessor?"
Il shall be busy for Will half an
hour satisfy you, Mr.. Snaith?"
You are most kind" the stranger
bowed.
In half an hour, O'Hagan, you may
return"
Very good, sor." And the hall door
closed
80" said Maitland, turning to face
the man squarely, you are from police
headquarters"
"As you see" Mr.. Snaith motioned
delicately toward his business card
as he called it.
"Well?"-after a moments pause.
II am a detective, you understand"
Perfectly" Maitland assented, un-
moved.
His caller seemed partly amused,
partly-but very slightly-embar-
raised. II have been assigned to
cover the affair Of last night" he
continued blandly. Il presume you
have no objection to giving me what
information you may possess
Credentials?
The mans amusement was made
visible in fugitive smile, half-hidden
bv his small and neatly trimmed mus
tache. 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
resigned. Fire ahead, but make it 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. or course you under
stand how keen we are after this mar.
Anisty."
What puzzles me-" Maitland inter
rupted, sis how you got wind OF the
affair so soon"
"Then you have not heard?" Mr..
Snaith exhibited polite surprise.
Il am just out of bed
"Anisty escaped shortly after you
left Maitland Manor"
"Ah."
Mr.. Snaith knitted his brows, evil
IDENTIFY at loss whether to ascribe
Maitland's exclamation as due to sur
prise, regret, or relief. Which pleased
Maitland, who had been at pains to
make his tone noncommittal. In point
OF fact he was neither surprised nor
regretful.
"Thunder!" he continued, slowly. Il
forgot to phone Higgins"
THAT is why | 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 chole-or pretended
to. Higgins became alarmed and re
moved the gag. Anisty lay quiet until
his face resumed it's normal color and
then began to abuse Higgins for a
thick-headed idiot"
Mr.. Snaith interrupted himself to
chuckle lightly.
you noticed resemblance" he re
sumed.
Maitland, too, was smiling. "Some
thing Of the sort
1T is really remarkable, if you will
permit me to say so' Snaith was
studying his hosts face intently. "Hig
gins, moor fellow, had his faith shaken
to the foundations. This Anisty must
be clever actor as we'll as a master
burglar. Having cursed Higgins root
and branch, he got his second vino
and explained that he was-Mr. Matt
land! Conceive Higgins position
What could he do?"
What he did, I gather"
Precisely"
'And Anisty?"
"Once loosed, he knocked Higgins
over with the butt of a revolver
jumped out of the window and van
ished. By the time the butler go1
his senses back, Anisty, presumably
was miles away. Mr.. Matt
land," said Snaith. sharply.
"Yes?" responded Maitland, elevat
ing his brows, refusing to be startled
why" crisply, didn't you send
the constables from Greenfields, &C