The Brownsville daily herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1897-1910, 1909-08-04

James Burleson Snaith. Matt
land read aloud from the faultlessly
engraved card. 81 don't know him.
What does he want2"
Wouldn't say, sor; seemed sur
prised whin / tcwld him ye were in.
an said he was glad to hear it-busi-
ness pressin', says he"
'Snaith% But I never heard the
name before. What does be look Hke?"
"A gintleman, sor, be tn clothes av
him an tn way he talks"
well Devil take the man!
Show him in"
every good, sor."
Maitland swung around in his desk
chair, his back to the window. express
sion politely curious. as his caller en-
tered the room, pausing, hat in hand,
Just across the threshold.
He proved to be a man apparently
os middle age, of height approximating
Maitland's; his shoulders were slightly
rounded as if from habitual bending
over dask, his pose mild and defer
entail. By his eyeglasses and peering
look, he was near-slghted; by his
dress, a gentleman of taste and judg
ment as well as of means to crafty
both. A certain jaunty and summary
touch in his attire suggested person
OF leisure who had just run down from
his country place for a day in town.
His voice. when ne spoke, did moth
ing to dispel the illusion.
Hr Maitland?" he opened the con-
versation briskly. q trust l do not
intrude? l shall be brief as possible,
il you viii favor me with private in
terview."
Maitland remarked voice well mod
ulated and a good choice of words He
rose courtecusly.
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 az he stepped over toward Malt
land
IF had not feared It might deprive
me OF this interview. 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 il down, his manner becoming per
ceptibix isss cordial. Il say. O'HzSan."
.Yessor?"
L shall be busy for VIII 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.
ssWelI?"-afte- a moments pause
Il am a detective, you understand"
perfectly" Maitland assented. IN
moved.
His caller seemed partly amused.
partly-but very slightly-emba:-
raised. I 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 a fugitive smile. half-hidden
by his small and neatly trimmed mus
tache. Nutely eloquent. be turned
back the lapel CT his coat. exposing
small shield; at which Maitland
glanced casually.
Very well" he consented, bored but
resigned. Fire ahead, but make it as
b.iet as you can; I've an engagement
inH-gIancing at the clock-'an hour,
and must dress"
I'll detein you no longer than is e.
sentiaI. OF course you under
stand how keen we are after this man
Anisty."
What puzzles me-" Maitland inter
Tupted, IS how you got wind of the
affair so SOON"
Then you have not heard?" Mr..
snzith exhibited polite surprise.
i am Just out of bed"
"Anisty escaped shortly after you
left Maitland Manor"
"Ah."
Mr.. Snaith knitted his brows, evi-
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.
aThunder." he continued. slowly. Il
forgot to phone Higgins"
THAT Is Why I called. Your butler
Gid 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 ehoke-or pretended
to. Higgins became alarmed and re-