The Tupelo journal., 1909-04-23
ulovz11zzaw OCzANE H7NNET
rS6r HUZHQe or
- N.INEH mEANofUe H0UE
NNINQE or

40 iOI tuS z WuCIiCi uC
cause he perceived himself outnum
bered, or because he was really void
Of suspicion, he accepted the money
with outward gratitude and proffered
his guidance through the garden and
the orchards. He slipped into the role
of cicerone with no atom Of resist
ance; he vas v~oluble; he was gracious
he was artlessly delighted with his
seniors. In spite of this flood Of suavi
ty, however, there seemed to be nc
possibility Of persuading him to admit
them to the house.
Assured of this, the two fell back
for a second, time for the merest eye
flash from the detective to the soldier
who at once limped briskly up to the
Jap, saying: I'VE are very much
obliged to you; this is a beautiful
house, beautiful gardens; but we want
to see the ghost; and If you a give
me young Mr.. Arnold's address l will
see him-or write, and we can come
back"
The gardener, with many apologies
and smiles, did not know MI. Arnold's
honorable address, but he drew out
soiled card, explaining that it bore the
name of the gentleman in charge OF
the property. Birdsall, peeping over
the Jap's shoulders, added that it was
the card of a well-known legal firm.
Then said the colonel with de
liberation, I'VE will thank you again
for your courtesy, and-what's that?'
The Jap turned; they all started al
the barking defamation of some explo
sion; while they gazed about them
there came another booming sound
and they could see smoke pouring
from the chimney and leaking through
the window joints of a roo in the real
of the house. Like a hare, not breaking
his wind by a single cry, the Jap sped
toward the court. The others were
hard on his heels, though the colonel
limped and showed signs of distress
by the time they reached the great
iron door.
The Jap pulled out a key; he turned
it and swung the door barely wide
enough to enter, calling on them to
stay out; he would tell them If he
needed them.
"Augustly stay; maybe honorable
~t'ieves!" he cried.
But the detective had ~interposed a
stalwart leg and shoulder. Instantly
the door swung open; he acted as il
he had lost his wits with excitement
You're burning up! Lord! you're
burning! Fire. Fire!" he bawled
and rushed boldly into the room.
Winter followed him, also calling
aloud in a strident voice. And il
was to be observed, being such an un'
usual preparation for a conf1agration.
that he had drawn a heavy revolver
and ran with it in his hand. Before
he jumped out of the car he had dis
carded his thick top-coat and all his
wrappings.
An observer, also chad there been
one near, would have taken note of a
robust Irishman, who had been weed
ing the fiower-beds, and would have
seen him straighten at the first peal
of the explosion, stare wildly at the
chimneys before any distinct smoke
was to be seen, then run swiftly and
climb up to a low chimney on a wing
of the house, w~atering-pot in hand. He
would have seen him empty his mad
equate fire extinguisher and rapidly
descend the ladder, while the smoke
volleyed forth, as if defying his puny
efforts; later, he would have seen the
watering-pot bearer pursue the others
into the house, emitting noble yells OF
"Fire!" and Help"
Further, this same observer, had he
been an intimate friend of Sergt. Den
mis- Haley, certainly would have recog'
nized that resorrceful man of wal in
the amateur fireman.