The Mena weekly star., 1909-04-29

Of deprecatory, amiable smile. Bird. sail, in turn, told him that his own companion was very great gentle. man from the east who belonged to a society of vast power which was in- vestigating spectral appearances, and that he had come thousands of miles to see the ghost.
 The Japanese extended both hands. while the appeal of his smile deep- encd. Too bad, yelly," he murmured. but not lcally any g'lost, no nev'"
 Don't you believe in the ghost? ?" asked Col Winter
 No, me Clistian boy. no believe [ not'ings."
 All the samee." said the colonel, l laboriously swinging himself from his vantage-ground of the motor scat to the flat top of the wall, thence drop. ping to the green sward below, -allee samee, like go in house hunt ghost" He cracked bank note Tn the palm of the slim brown hand, smiling and nodding as If to break tho force of his brusque action. Meanwhile, Birdsail had safely shut off his engine before be placed himself beside the others with an agility hardly to be expected of his round build.
 As for the caretaker, whether be- 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 was voluble; he was gracious; he was artlessly delighted with hi. senors. In spite of this flood of suavi- ty, however. there seemed to bo no possibility of persuadins him to admit them to the house.
 Assured of this, the two fell back for second. time for the morost eye flash from the detective to the sSsdsar. who at once limped brfskiy up b the Jap, saying We are very much obliged to you; this Is beautiful house. beautiful gardens; but we want to see the ghost; and if you can give me young Mir. Arnold's address I will see him-or write. and We can come back"
 The gardener. with many apologies honorable address. but he drew out soiled card, explaining that 1t bore the name of the gentleman in charge of the property. Birdsall, peeping over the Jap's shoulders. added that 1t was the card of well-known legal firm. liberation. i've will thank you again for your courtesy, and-what's that2.
 The Jap turned; they all started at the barking detonation 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 room in the rear of the house. Like 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 key; he turned 1t and swung the door barely wide enough to enter. calling on them 10 stay out; he would tell them if he needed them.
 "Augustly stay; maybe honorable tieves!" he cried.
 But the detective had interposed a stalwart leg and shoulder. Instantly the door swung open; he acted as if he had lost his wits with excitement. You're burning up! Lordi you're burning, Firel Fire!' he bawled. and rushed boldly Into the room.
 Winter followed him. also calling aloud in a strident voice. And it was to be observed. being such an un- usual preparation for a conflagration. that he had drawn 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.
 one near), would have taken note of robust Irishman, who had been weed ing the flower-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 low chimney on wing of the houso. watering-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 wateringp pot bearer pursue the others into the house, emitting noble yells Of sFirel" and "Help!"
 Further. this same observer. had he been an intimate friend of Sergt. Den. his Haley. certainly would have recog nized that resourceful man of war in the amateur fireman.
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