Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-07-20
CHAPTER X.
Dorothy March Take.

differ from their sisters OF other New
York playhouses in that they are far
mere serious than anybody in the eve
Mug audiences. Caranels, marshmal
lows, chocolate creams are forbidden
by the unwritten law Of their cult.
The utmost ncurishment one Of them
can allow herself is sailed almond
nibbled surreptitiously between de-
corous little outbursts of kid-gloveo
applause. 1t is not the sort of gather
ing in which one would expect to find
the busiest sleuth of the headquarters
staff, especially with great diamond
mystery on his hands Yet, on enc
OF those warm January afternoons
that make the metropolis wonder If it
Is being metamorphosed into winter
resort, one Of the most interested aud
1tors in the select little theater was
Detective-Iieutenant Britt, Of Man
ning's staff.
Britt found the somebody he sought
when his gaze fell on slim little fig
ure in the trimmest of dove-colored
gowns, sitting in the fifth row off the
center aisle. Instantly his last pre-
tense Of attention to the play van
ished. Keeping his eyes on the gray
curves of the girl in the fifth row. he
Quilted his post at one side of the
house and walked slowly to the main
exit, whence he watched her until the
curtain fel, on the first act. Mean
while, he scrubbed on card, slipped
a liberal tip into the receptive hand
of an usher. and indicated the object
of his interest When the curtain fell
on the first act, the usher hurried
down the aisle, and presented the
card to the girl In gray.
"If Miss March, read the young
woman, will spare a few minutes to
Britz, Of Headquarters. she will con-
fer a favor and serve her friend Mrs.
Missioner"
Dorothy gathered her wrap, glasses
and program quickly and followed the
usher to the back of the theatar. The
youth led her to the famous detective
whom. thotigh she had heard of him
through Doris Missioner, she beheld
for the first time.
you wished to see me?" inquired
Dorothy. 1t was a banal question, and
flush tinged her cheeks as she re
allied it's superhuousness could not es
cape the greatest detective In New
York. But Britt seemed not to notice
1t, and the simple directness of his
manner put the girl at her ease.
81 took the liberty, Miss March," be
said pleasantly, because l saw yor
across the orchestra, and I need {
short course in social knowledge.
His smile robbed the reply of flip
pancy.
Fancy" said Dorothy. She was Sc
utterly at sea as to the detective:
purpose she could think of nothirs
else to say save: 81 fear you have
sought poor teacher
We'll, I don't know now" Britt re
turned. looking at her with respectful
admiration. You see, you're a soci
ETY. girl and I know nothing Of so
cicty. and there's something I wan
to know-something | ought t
know"
IL there's anything I can tell you
Mr. Britt, III be glad to do So" Dor
othy volunteered. Especially II 4
will help you to find Mrs. Missioner
diamonds"
I'm not sure It WILL" said Britt. II
may. however save me from seeking
them in the wrong place. You seemed
to enjoy the play Miss March"
This shift OF subjects was 80 alb
rupt that If Dorothy's breath had no
already been coming in catches, sh,
might have gasped, 1t was eviden
detectives were more original thai
society men. She wondered absent.
II the type was worth studying
why. yes" her hcsitating answe
came. II believe It's considered on
of the best hits Of the season. Yer,
elevating. you know. and-well differ
ent."
Modern, Miss March,"
at has two periods. The first deal
with the life of today the secon
harks back to the early Victorian .,
Rod with, | understand. en- abrupt II
turn 10 the present"
She was chatting quito easily wit
tbs detective now Had ehe bee
reared in Mulberry street instead {
on Murray Hill, she could not hsy
felt mere natural.
wow, tA!s society sub}sot--oy til
way. Mis- March," Briz switohe
again, "is there as much differens
between social life then and now"
"Oh, a great deal. should say
Her eyes twinkied. "Of course, ca
coma! observation"
~ wouldn't ask you to tell me- an
thing about Ward McAllistec from pc
sona observation. Miss March" sa
tho sleuth. His gallantry on oocasic
was tho wonder Of the Central OF, C
Dorothy looked alarmed. Could
be great detectives wasted tune &
compliments. too? But a sids z,ant
ct the detectives serious e1pTessit
rcaesured her Il waa manifest evt
to debutante he had 10 idea OF IN
King AZ Impression uloug that lin
sho laughed frankly end looked
E'r again IN the f,1endliest way.
II know you don't want to ask 4
- about anything so recent AZ the Spa
ish war che saii. nov. do your"
"CandiG.y. doa',," ho retoine
ITO tell you tns pain truth dor
know exactly VIVA: wish 10 ask "
nor bow TO asx It, but | have en- ID