The Mena weekly star., 1909-04-29
CHAPTER VII. The Haunted Liouee


 anu snadier side street in inc as,ar noon of the Sunday following tha d;s appearance of Archie Winter. One o tne occupants seemed to be an invalit whom the brilliant March sunshin, had not tempted out of his haav, wrappings and cap; the other was , snort, thick-set, corduroy-iaclxeta, chauffeur. One marked the runahou at glance as hardly used liver, motor car; but moments inspection might have shown that 1t was runnint With admirable smoothness and quiet The chauffeur wore goggles. hence hi, eyes were shielded, but he turned , bread smile upon the paIlid cheek, and sharpened profile beside him.
 Colonel. as health-seeker wht can't keep warm enough. you're great!" he cried. Lord, but you lool, the part"
 If l can't shed some of these con. founded muffiers soon," growled the pale sufferer addressed, "rn get So red with heat 1t will come through my beautiful powder. I hope those fellows won't see us, for they will be on to us, all right"
 Our own mothers wouldn't be on to us in these rigs" the chauffeur re. piled. cheerily; he seemed to be in a hopeful mood; ''and let us once get into the house, and surprise 'em. and therell be something drop. But I haven't really had chance to tell you the latest-having to pick you up at a drug store this way. Now, let's sum things upl You think the boy got out through Keatcham's apartment? Or Mrs. Wigglesworth's?"
 How else?" said the colonel: "he can't fly, and If he could, he couldn't fly out and then lock the windows from the inside"
 T see"-the chauffeur appeared thoughtful-"and the Wiggiesworth door was locked. You think that keatcham is in 1t, someway?" Not Keatcham," said the colonel. There was another man in tke car Atkins they called him. though he has disappeared. But Mercer remains. His secretary and that valet of his; think the secretary is Cary Mercer. The boy might have slipped out in those few moments we were hunting for him in- side. Afterward, either Mrs. Melville Winter or l was on guard until your man came. He might go to the Fire less Stove man, slip out of his rooms. and round the corner to the elevator In couple of seconds. Then, of course, I might see their rooms--''
 Provided, that is, the Fireless Stove drummer is in the plot. too"
 The Fireless Stove drummer who smokes Villar y villar cigars? He is in it, I think. Birdsall."
 Well. I'll assume that Next thing: You get the telephone call And you say tho voice sounded chipper; didn't look like he was being hurt or both cred anyway. did it?"
 Not at all Besides. you know the letter Miss Smith got this morning 2"
 q think I'd like another peek at that; will you drive her minute, while look at the letter again?" The instant his hands were free Birdsall pulled out the envelope from his leath- er-rimmed pocket.
 1t was rectangular in shape and smaller than the ordinary business en- velope. The paper was linen of a common diamond pattern, having no engraved heading. The detective ran his eyes down the few lines written in an uniformed boyish hand. There was neither date nor place; only these words:
 Dear Miss Janet Don't you or auntie be worried about me because I am wel and safe and having a good time. I had the nose bleed that Is why I spotted tho carpet Tell Auntie to please pay for 1t out of my next weeks allowance. Be sure and don't wory.
 Your afr. friend.
 ARCHIBALD PAGE WINTER.
 You're sure this is the boys writ ing?" was the detectives comment
 Sure. And his spelling too"
 Now" said Birdsall. watching the coloneis keen, aquiline profile as he spoke. now you notice there's no heading or mark on the paper; and the water-mark Is only O. K. E., Mass, 1904. And that amounts to nothing; those folks sell all over the country But you notice that it is not the or dinary business paper; 1t looks rather lady-like than commercial, doesn't itY'
 The colonel admitted that 1t did look so.
 Now. assuming that this letter was sent with the conniyance of the kid napers, 1t looks as if our young gen tleman wasn't in any particular dan ger of having a hard time. To me, IL looks pretty certain he must have skipped himself; tolled along some way. maybe, but not making any re- sistance Now, is there anybody that you know who has enough influence over him for that? How about the lady's maid?"
 Randall has been a faithful serv- ant for 20 years. middle-aged, seri- ous-minded, decent woman. Out Of the question"
 This Miss Smith. your aunt's com panion. who is she? Do you knowF
 "A South Carolinian; good family; she has lived with my aunt as secre- tary and companion for year; my aunt Is very fond of her
 That all you know? Well nave found out a little more; she used to live with a Mrs. Jones 5. Hastings, rich Washington woman. The ladys only son fell in love with her; some
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