Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-07-20

tIe SoOpy were CnattlnB duiiop''
headquarters man had not long 10
walt Before the cabman had goho
far into discussion OF the current po-
litical crisis the door Of the restau'
rant across the street was swung open
by boy In many buttons. and MIS-
Missioner appeared on the thresnoio.
She was followed closely by Griswoiu
and, after a moments pause to giso,
den the heart Of the much.buttoneu
youth, by u man the watching do'eo-
tive was somewhat surprised to gee
Bruxton Sands.
Home" said Mrs. Missioner TO nor
chauffeur. Britt could not hear mo
word, but he read 1t from her lips.
He saw the widow step into her iimou'
sine, saw Sands and Griswold foilow'
cav the chauffeur throw his clutch'
saw the big car glide swiftly south 10
wheel for northward trip along the
avenue Before the automoDlie
reached a turning point, the detective
sprang into the cab, whispered an ad-
dress to the driver, and added In
low tone
Double your fare fer speed.
The cabman dashed his horse and,
knowing his craft, threaded MS way
through the traffic so quickly that IN
q short time he was several blocks
ahead Of the limousine. All the way
up the avenue tho race continued
Britz well in the lead At tho f1ity-
ninth street entrance, tic automoblle
swung into the park, but the cabman
urged his horse straight up Firth ave-
nue., and so great was the gain made
by the short cut that a few blocks FUR
Their north he dropped his iare IN
front OF mansion of imposing ugli-
ness, touched his hat in acknowledge
mcnt of q generous fee. and was BOWL
ing eastward, halfway to Madison ave
nue., when the Missioner car reap
peared from tho parks Sevcnty-sec'
ond street gate.
You at least can stop for minute
OF gossip" said Mrs. Missioner over
her shoulder as she preceded Sands
and Griswold into her library. I'll
nance and club affairs can walt a lit
tie while. and-oh."
She stopped in the act of throwing
off her furs, and stood gazing at the
middle of the room. There, absorbed
in his task, at ease in big chair be-
fore the cracking CRATE, sat Detective
Lieutenant Britt. Pad in one hand
pencil in the other, he was sketching
busily.
Mrs. Missioner extended hand be-
hind her to silence her companions
She turned her head with smile al
most as mischievous as Dorothy could
flash.
"Hush." she whispered. She and
the others watched Britt quietly as
his pencil moved slowly. awkwardlJ
over the paper From his frequent
glances at the end of the room tina
held the big safe, it was evident hi
was making drawing OF it. The Ia
borous dragging of his pencil poin
proved he was not accustomed to sucf
! work-at least, so 1t seemed to one
Of the three who watched him. l3u
the sleuth stuck to the task doSgedly
and at last he bore SO heavily on
corner of his sketch that the point
his pencil broke.
He laid down the pad, took out
pocket knife, and began to sharper
T. the pencil When the point wa
fashioned to his liking. he looked UT
Then and then only did he seem t.
see the widow and her friends. II
O arose instantly and bowed to Mrs
- Missioner, following that with shor
NOD t,> tho man hal,ipl bPr
Il told your man to let NE come II
madam, because | had no timo t
spare" said uthhe slcuth.
Mrs. Missioner bowed her head i
assent
!. You wish to see me-" she inquired
Il There is something more you Wis
to know"
: She was not in the mood for oil
Q cuesion OF the detectives quest III!
# evening The afternoon tea
y Sherry's, the short ride home, II
O Guiding the turn in the park, with he
I. two most persistent admirers, Ia
g cozy homecoming in the dusk Of
V winter day, however unreasonable IN
t weather. had made her meditatiy
It Even as she spoke 10 the detectlv
=. and sank drcamily into conversatio
o chair beside the fire. her eyes strnye
y, from Sands 10 Griswold. from Gri
d void to Sands, with the vague look
&c woman trying TO decide monel
tous question. Griswold, ever read
c to seize tho smallest advantag
It promptly occupied the othcr end {
10 the chair. Facing tho beautf'
widow, he ignored both Britt an
>, Sands, and he throw into tho gianc>
:, ne showered upon the woman all tt
carcss at his command.
4 Britz eyed Sands sharply before r
Il plying. lie gYippcd his chin wit
Il thumb ard fiEgcr. and eocmed stud
ing the big millionaire. AS matte
H of fact, he was watching Griswol
h His gaze. even as it appeared focust
II most strongly on Sands, IN reality WI
l concentrated on tho clubman. WI
\ shared the serpcntine chair with II
\ wealthy widow.
1 81 want plan of tho ROOM" sa
Britt at length. "A sketch OF the SAT
too. One Of my men was to hay
made draughts for me, but had
81 send him out Of town at short noti'
Ct on another end of the case, So al
he smiled slowly at his poor wor
manship. I'm doing tho best | can
"Iay I see what Won have drawn