Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-08-24
The Brass Boul

CndlT1 MS DaCk TO the WlnOOW, SApISSSiOIl
politely curious, as his caller entered the
room, pausing. hat in hand, just across
the threshold.
He proved to be a man apparently of
middle age, OF height approximatins
Maitlands; his shoulders were slightly
rounded as il from habitual bending over
a desk his pose mild ana deferential. BY
his eyeglasses and peering look, he was
near-sighted; by his dress, gentleman
of taste and judgment as well as OF
means to crafty both. A certain jaunty
and summary touch in his attire sug-
gested a person o. leisure who had just
run down from his country place, for
I day In town.
His voice, when he spoke, did nothing
to dispel the illusion.
''Mr. Maitland?" he opened the CONVEX
sation briskly. II trust do not intrude? 1
shall be brief as possible, II you VIII Ia
vor me with private interview.
Maitland remarked voice well modu-
lated and a good choice of words. He rose
courteously.
81 should be pleased to do So he sug-
gested IF you could ADVANCE any reasons
for such a request"
Mr. Snaith smiled discreetly, fumblins
in his side pocket A second slip or caro-
board appeared between his fingers as ne
stepped over toward Maitland.
If 1 had not feared it might deprive
me of this interview. / should have sent
in my business card at once, he sai0.
Permit me-
Maitland accepted the card and elevated
| his hrows ''Ohi'' he said, putting II
down, his manner becoming perceptibly
less cordial. Il say, o'Hagan."
"Yessor?'
81 shall be busy for Will half All
hour satisfy you, Mr.. Smith
you are most kind" the stranger
I'm half an hour, o'Hagan, you may re-
VERY good, sor" And the hall door
closed. 49,.
$50 ;, said Maitland. turning to face the
man squarely, you are from ponce heao
las YOU see Mr.. Smith motioned del
icatelv toward his business card-as ne
called It,
..T am a detective, you understand.
i "Perfectly." Maitland assented' I'M
moved. ., ror.-
His caller seemed partly amused part
ly-but very slightly-emoarrasseu'
: have been assigned TO cover the aiIar % %
last night" he continued planuy,
) presume YOU have no objection to giving
me what information you may pos'eS
"Credentials?'
| THE mans amusement was made visible
IN a fugitive smile, half hidden by MS
small, neatly trimmed mustaehe, NIUE
" eloquent, he turned back the iapel Oh
his coat. exposing a small shield; at winch
Maitland glanced casually.
.'Verv we'll" he consented, bored but
2 resigned. Fire ahead, but make IL as
brief as you can; I've an engagement IN
-glancing at the clock-"an hour' ana
must dress"
[ than
sential. OF course you understand
j how keen we are after this man. Anisty.'
.'What puzzles me- Maitland interrupt
ed sis how you got wind of the affair SO
soon 81
."Then YOU have not heard?" Mr.. snaith
exhibited polite surprise
I 4 am Just out of bed
4 "Anisty escaped shortly after you left
Maitland manor" .s.s..
, Abr
Mr.. SnaIth knitted his brows. evidently
at a loss whether to ascribe Maitland
| exclamation as due TO surprise, regret,
or relief. Which pleased Maitland, who
had been at pains to- make his tone nom
cornmittaL In point Of fact he was nelth-
er surprised nor regretful.
"ThunderT he continued slowly. Il
forgot 10 phone Higgins"
'"That is why l called. Your butler did
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 choke,
or pretended to. Higgins be-
came alarmed and removed the gag.
Anisty lay quiet until his face resumed
it's normal color and then began to abuse
Higgins for thick-headed idiot"
Mr.. Snaith interrupted himself to
chuckle lightly.
You noticed a resemblance" he re-
sumed.
Maitland. too. was smiling. Something
\ IF the sort" ..
ut is really remarkable. if you will
permit ME to say So" snaith was study
ling his hosts face intently. Higgins,
poor fellow, had his faith shaken to the
foundations This Anisty must be clev-
Ter actor as well as master burglar. Hav-
ling cursed Higgins root and branch. he
got his second wind and explained that
he was--Mr Maitlandl Conceive Higgins
position. What could he do?'
What he did, l gather"
| Precisely"
| And Anisty?"
J "Once loosed. he knocked Higgins over
with the butt of revolver jumped out
the window, and vanished. BY the time
the butler got his senses back, Anisty,
presumably, was miles away. Mr..
Maitlandr' said Snaith sharply.
"Yes?" responded Maitland, elevating his
brows, refusing to be startled.
/ Why" crisply, didn't you send the
constables from Green1elds, according to
your promise?"
Maitland laughed uneasily and looked
down, visibly embarrassed, acting with
lconsummate address, playing the game
for oil he was worth; and enjoying it
hugely.
why I Really, Mr.. snsith.
/ must confess"
"A confession would aid US materially"
dryly. THE case is perplexng. You round
up burglar sought by the police of two
continents and llstlessly permit his es-
cape! Why?"
! II would rather not be pressed" said
Maitland with evident candor; but
since you say it is imperative. that you
must know" Snalth inclined his head
afirmatively. "Why to tell the
= truth, l was bit under the
weather last night out with a party of
friends. you know. Dare say we all
| had a bit more than we could cary. The
! capture was purely accidental; we had
/ other plans for the night and-well.'
laughing shortly. IL didn't give the mat
ter too much thought beyond believing