Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1909-10-14
Bv CHARLES GARVICE

The footman closed the door pre-
cipitateIy, but was back again in a
moment.
"The gentleman says 1t is mat
ter of great Importance, my lord"
"Tell him I will not see him!"
said the marquis. l will see no one"
"A thousand pardons, my lord"
said a smooth, quiet voice, and
gentleman gently pushed the foot
man aside and stepped into the room.
The marquis grew crimson and
stared at him passionately.
who are you? What do you
want?" he demanded.
Clce more l entreat your lord
ships pardon" said the stalwart fig
ure in the center of the room. my
business is of great Importance
and I must return by the next train"
The marquis uttered an oath.
Leave the house, sir!" he snarled,
and he strobe to the bell.
zone moment one moment, l
pray" said the man. "My name is
Rawson, and l am a detectiVe!"
why couldn't you say so at first?"
said the marquis, angrily. II sent
for a constable, but you will do.
This man"-and he pointed to Har-
ry-'T give him into your custody"
There is some mistake, my lord,
he said; 'this is not the business l
came upon"
The marquis glared furiously.
Il care nothing for the business
you came on, sir. Do your duty!"
I'm one moment, my lord. Just
let me explain myself"
There was the sound of a mans
voice in the hall as he spoke, and
the marquis started and drew back
a step.
The detective closed the door and
advanced to the table.
81 am d detective, my lord, as l
said. My card, my lord. Better be
formal in these matters. Early this
morning 1 was called in by the man
ager Of Coutts' bank"
The marquis dropped one hand or
the table, then took it off again, anu
a leaf.
"Coutts' bank, my lord. By the
way, perhaps your lordship wouIu
wish to see me in private" and he
glanced at marry significantly.
The marquis half rose, then droT
ped back.
Leave the house." he said to Har-
ry.
Harry smiled, and his eyes gilt
tered.
81 am in custody!" he said, calmly.
The marquis rose.
Follow me to another room he
said to the detective.
At that moment the voice broke
out again in the hall. 1t was Har-
rvs turn to start. In a moment he
recognized it as the voice of Mr..
Sinclair, the man he had caught
hiding in the park. The marquis
shrank back.
Speak here" he said, "and be
quick"
81 was called in by the manager
said the detective. cit seems that a
man had presented a check for
large amount, signed by her lady
ship, the marchioness. The sum
was so large that the manager
asked the man a few questions"
Stop" exclaimed the marquis.
Leave the ROOM" he said, turning
to Harry.
Harry walked toward the door.
81 will fetch the marchioness," he
said, keeping his eyes fixed on the
marquis, whose face bIanched.
GO on" he said. LET him re-
main, he-he-is an old friend of
nine"
The detective stared at the rath-
or inconsistent statement, out went
On coolly; it takes a great deal to
surprise a detective.
"The man who presented the
check, my lord, said that he was a
and had been doing bus
ness for her ladyship, and the man
ager would have cashed the check,
put It happened that Mr.. Head, who
t seems is her ladyship's lawyer
and agent, was in the office, and,
nearing the name and part of the
requested that the
check might be shown to him. The
manager complied"
Well, WE'LL" calculated the mar
luis, impatiently.
And Mr.. Head declared the sig
nature 10 be-a forgery"
Harry kept his eyes fixed on the
pale face and saw great drops of
sweat gathering on the marquis
orehead
The manager was giving the man |
nto custody, my lord, but he in
sisted so strongly that the sigma |
.ure was genuine, and demanded so
earnestly that he should be confront |
I'd with her ladyship that-well, |
earring we might be making a mis-
AXE, and so cause her ladysnip |
some trouble and inconvenience, we
brought him down here"
The marquis passed his hand !
across his brow with assumed care |
essness.
Quite right" he said. you act |
ID very prudently. What-what is
the mans name?"
Sinclair at least that is the
name he gave" said the detective.