The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-03-23

face when he first saw that picture,
Steve He looked like a mailman.
never saw him look that way before.
| what do YOU think ii means?"
i can't tel YOU yet. Its mighty
queer. He knows the girl, OF course,
and III wager he's up 10 some vii
lainy concerning her. I've always told
YOU that the Barringtons were scoun-
drels. It's written on Their faces. And
you are sure. Wilbur. that the man
who called TO see him this morning
was the sinister-looking fellow who
visited us last night?''
| Yes. l am positive Of IT, There
isn't the slightest doubt about that;
it's the same fellow. Why. 1 even no.
ticed that ugly scar on his forehead.
You remember that our visitor last
night had such a scar, Steve?"
YES. 1 remember that perfectly.
| Well. it is very clear that Arthur Bar
rington- and that Italian are in league
in some Undertaking in which that
| beautiful girl is involved. 1t looks as
If 1t must be a pretty desperate under
taking. too, inasUauch as the conspira-
tors have not hesitated TO commit
fraud. burglary and personal violence
in order TO get possession OF that pho
| tograph.''
1T is self-evident that that photo
graph must play a very important part
in their game. This has become a very
pretty mystery. We have got to get to
the bottom of it, old man
What have you learned about the
girl. Steve?'' inquired Wilbur. eagerly.
You haven't told me yet the result
of your visit to Mrs. Martin"
There isn't much to tell. regret to
I
the girl or the MISUNDERSTANDING ItaI-
/ ian or the photograph in the library
/ book"
Are you sure that she was telling
you the TRUTH asked Wilbur. IN keen
disappointment
"Oh, yes: I feel satisfied as to that
She is a nice. pleasant simple old lady
mot at all one Of the deep sort. She
keeps a boarding house at 612 Merville
street, the address the librarian gave
| US.
When l called there she received me
very kindly, although she seemed sur
prised when communicated to her the
| object Of my yisit
she borrowed the volume or Sher-
lock Holmes from the library herself,
she informed me. She is certain that
she did not put any photographs be-
] tween me leaves OF lle DOCK.
'.She inquired Of each OF her boarders
(she only has fve-fOur young men and
a middle-aged spinster). but none or
them was willing to admit having put
the picture in the book. in fact they
all denied that they had even seen the
volume Of Sherlock Holmes.
I Il described [ iris face as we'll as
7 could (you oua 10 have loaned me
the picture. YOU know; It would have
been much more satisfactory. and she
( couldn't recoIIect ever having seen such
a young woman.
--She doesn't know any Italians, either
with vIllainous- aspects or without. She
has never had an Italian bOarder, she
was ready TO swear -Four Of her pres
ent boarlers are Americans and one a
German. I interviewed each Of them.
Of course, but without result.
Thus. you see. old man, that we are
no further adv anced than we were be-
fore we got that clue from the librarian.
II isn't going TO be such a simple mat
ter to find the fair lady Of the photo
graph. after all
It's mighty queer" gasped Wilbur
How the dickens could that picture
have got into the library book? Some
body must ahve put it there
ton is, who is that somebody? And
I'm going 10 find the answer to that
question, as sure as my name is steve
Clayton.
AS Wilbur and his companion left the
restaurant and walked toward Maiden
lane they suddenly became aware Of
the fact that they were being followed.
It was Clayton who first made this
discovery.
Don't turn around too suddenly" he
whispered % his friend, but when you
get a chance 70 do so. without attract
ing attention, +ake {, peep behind you
and look who IS trailing is"
Wilbur. with elaborate careIessness
glanced over his shoulder and was
amazed TO find the viIlainous looking
Italian close behind them.
Recognize him, eh?" said Clayton
What do you think about that? He IS
after that picture, OF course. Pretty
persistent cuss. isn't hep
Yes. ] suppose Arthur harrington
has told him I've got the Photograph
in my pocket. and he's made up his
mind to Try 10 get il from me. DO you
think he will dare to attack US IN this
crowded street,
Il don't know. nod be a fool to at
tempt l., of course; but he looks des-
Ecrate enough for anything. If you've
got the time. OLD man. Id advise you
10 step into this hardware store and
purchase a revolver. 1t might be lust
as well for YOU 10 80 about armed.
when you've got a fellow like that To
deal with
Even if he doesn't attempt 10 modest
you non, he may follow you home and
attack you when he gets a chance BE
slGr> after the burglary Of last night
| st might be just as well for YOU TO keep
q weapon in your house in future"
assented. Il haven't got much time
, I've Leen away from ,,5- office over an
3 boar already, and F'r,rK BarrIngtun Is
. waiting for m- 20 return so that he
can go out 10 lunch still j think TN
take the time TO step IN here and buy "a
gun As YOU say, II might come in
Your Hair