Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-30
of chimneys. she will subject you to a


most rigid examination
lone Of these days? Why. / have look
ed at the time table, and it is my pres
ent intention to take the 1903 into town.
afternoon. 1 assure you. Miss HOLSTER,
that I'm man of engagements, partic-
uiarly at this season.
remembered what Jewett had told
me of Fortner. the painter. and his de-
tention at Newport by Miss Octavia HoI-
lister. had no intention Of being i'm
INJURED in any such fashion, and l was
about to protest further. when Cecilia
took step toward. me, and after a
glance at the door, spoke in a low tone
and with great earnestness.
Mr.. Ames. I have every reason to be-
lieve that you are a gentleman, and in
that confident belief I'm going to ask a
favor of you. You have said that you
II know no man better. You might
not have inferred it from his manner
last night. but he was undoubtedly sur
prtsed and embarrassed by my presence
and did not act quite like himself"
Il think I understand the cause Of that
II should ask you to see him today Sand
give him message for me, could you do
so?'
1T will be an honor to serve you; and
a very simple matter. as I should see
the neighborhood.'
HE is doubtless at the Prescott Arms
My message is a verbal one Please
urge him not to make any effort to see
the same time, as the chimney smoked
just as we were about to be left alone
last night I think-I think"-she hest
tated q moment-"You may say that his
interests have not been jeopardized by
his temerity In calling"
In her pause before concluding this curl
Gus commission her eyes searched mine
deeply. and felt that she had not lightly
Entrusted me with this singular errand.
Her dark eyes held mine an instant after
she had spoken: then she smiled, and
her face showed relief.
ASK for anything you want. Aunt Oc-
tavia deSpises motors. SO there's no car
here. but you will find plenty of horses
I shall expect to meet you at dinner il
not at Mncheon-and so''-she smiled
again-"wtll Aunt Octavia."
She nodded to ME from the door, and
I heard her running lightly upstairs.
Left to my own devices. rang the bell
and ordered the library fire extinguished
and the hearth cleaned. This required
little time; but the house man obeyed
me readily. and soon. clad in my pro-
fessional overalls and jumper, I was 60
ing carefully over the f1ue whose be-
havior had been so maccountable the pre-
vious night. Guided by the servant, / in
spected the three fireplaces in the upper
chambers that were served by flues in
this chimney. and finally dropped my
torch and plumb line from the chimney
pot. Never In all my experience had
seen better flues: but, remembering my
ghost at Shinnecock, l had the ashes
thrown out of the dump in the cellar
and found the chute in perfect order l
learned by inquiry that the other fues
worked perfectly, but I. nevertheless.
scrutinized them carefully. My freedom
Of the house afforded an excellent oppor-
tunity for study of its beautiful con-
struction. 1t was modern in every sense,
with no dark. mysterious corners in
which COLLINS might Turk. 1 prowled
about with increasing admiration for Pep
own failure in the art which he adorned
My professional labors were finished.
was quite ready for Miss HOLSTERS
most searching inquiries. AS for the Ii
brary flue. I had decided that a little
care in piling the logs in the hearth
would Obviate the possibility Of any re-
currence Of the difficulty. And 1 there
tub (my vocation encouraged frequent
tubbing) chose from the stable a neat
trap for one horse. Thus equipped 1 set
out to find Virgins.
The Prescott Arms is an inn that sprang
into being with the advent Of motoring.
The tourist Is advised of his approach to
1t by signs swung at the crossways, and
sight from one Of the excellent state
roads. Gasoline and other liquids are
offered there: one may have tea or an
ampler meal on short notice; and q few
guests may be lodged in case of neces-
sity. 1 remembered 1t well, having sew
eral times found 1T haven on motor
flights with friends. AS I drove into the
entrance saw Virgins pacing the long
veranda. He waved hand and came
out to meet me- and when had rid my