The Washington times., 1911-03-15


And Wen try to be back before TO-
the other unused. "One or another of nv
time"
/ "What?"
Something or other about the Amato
PAIR Gray said grimly. We need
those two in our business, Burton! We
! need an eyewitness!"
They made the trip swiftly in the
brisk early morning. Meeting no one
at all. they trudged through the great,
silent grounds; they left the drive at
last. and. taking a narrow path, crossed
| 70 the dell and surveyed the lake, spark
| ling in the sunshine.
1t was a pretty enough sheet of
water, some four or five acres in ex-
tent. A path ran about the shore line,
| and here and there a little open rustic
Summer-house revealed itself, built out
over the water.
Mr.. Gray stared across the pond, long
and silently, toward the wooded patch
on the other side. Then, with a grunt,
his eyes dropped to the ground and he
1nEged away with Burton at his heels,
along the bank toward the big house.
And presently, as wider path ap-
peared, he stopped.
Well, that leads from the house,
Burton" he observed. pointing to it.
And there isn't a track anywhere
good bad, or Indifferent"
There were footprints below
Down by the waterfall-yes!" Gray
Yesterday. of course, but the poor devil
wasn't thrown in away down there.
This must be just about the spot-yes,
and there's the ideal summer house for
such a trick" he went on. with convic-
ton. Look at that low railing, Bur-
ton--the most beautiful place in the
world to topple man over. And there
isn't sign of a footprint
Hold on Burton said. They would
have been here Tuesday, according to
your idea"
Certainly"
Well, 1t rained like sin in the city
all day Tuesday! Very likely it poured
here"
Second after second Gray squinted at
the path from side to side He looked
up, then, with dry smile
Burton" he said, without a skull
or face in sight, save mine, you have
deduced great truth! This confounded
path has been almost washed out OF
existence
He snapped his fingers and took a
step or two toward the summer house.
And that winds up my famous imi-
tatiOn of an Indian scout he muttered.
That makes Just one more-eh?"
He glanced from the ground and to-
ward Burton. That gentleman was oc-
cupied in polishing his glasses just then,
and looking vaguely across the lake
with his near-sighted eyes. Mr.. Gray
poked with the toe of his shoe in the
dry grass; then, STOPPING, he picked up
a very much begrimed handkerchief and
examined 1t.
His lips opened. He turned toward
Burton once more: and that gentleman,
readjustimG his glasses, had sufficiently
bad Judgment to allow his tolerant,
unbelieving smile to appear. Mr.. Gray
shut his teeth. He thrust the handker-
chief into his pocket and said briefly:
Nothing to be gained here. Let's
stroll on"
Mr.. Burton merely nodded. Stroling
toward the house, Gray whistled softly.
swapping an accompaniment with his
long fingers. He astonished Mr. Burton,
when the house was perhaps fifty yards
distant, by remarking:
Aha! The-er-Lord takes care Of
"What?''
"Hush"' smiled Mr.. Gray. And you
might refrain from comments" His
voice rose then with: Good morning,
Good morning. sir" The second
"Out for the air?" the detective
asked.
I've been over to the farm house.
DR.: Fitch telePhoned up to have every
quest tohight. Mr.. Barker told me to
go over and impress it on them
7 see. They're all there?'
oh; yes, sir"
Germs Of the household seemed to be
small that morning.
willis, it looks as If we were going
to put in a considerable stay here Is
there a respectable laundry in the
village?"
Laundry" The second man pom
dered. We'll, Peterson's laundry is
the only one, sir"
Can you recommend it?"
I'm afraid not. There's really not
much call for a laundry here, sir
Every establishment owning its own
laundress, of course. Umum," nodded
Mr.. Gray. Il suppose it's a pretty hard
job to keep good laundress out of
town here. isn't it?'
It's enough of a job that Mrs Ffske
hasn't any laundress at all this last
month. sir!'' smiled the second man,
with a suggestion of pleased relief at
wandering among familiar topics.
Huge place like this. too-it must be
a nuisance Gray commented synpa-
theticaIly. Il don't see how the dick
ems you ever manage to keep things
straight, with a big household like this,
and give everybody what belongs to
him after the ceremony's over I know
that have struggle every week regu-
larly trying to get back my own bach
elor possessions-and everything I own
has an initial an inch long on it.''
well, of course all the personal linen
and things here are initialed," Willis
pursued, genially, land the laundress is
supposed to do the sorting. Mrs Fiske
has been trying to do it this last month,
butch, good gracious, SIR
He grinned and shook his head, and
Gray laughed.
Bad job, eh? Well. I'll have to inter-
view Peterson, good or bad, I suppose"
He nodded. and. taking Burton's arm,
set that gentleman walking once more.
Further, at the last turning before the
house, he turned Mr.. Burton and headed
him away from the mansion and toward
the gates, and Burton said, absently:
What size collar do your wear, Gray?
! might be able to lend"
Gray's grip closed on his arm like
To blazes with your collars!" he
said, very softly. DO you suppose
haven't wits enough to find a laundry
IoT myself? No! Did you hear what he
SAID; all their personal linen is ini-
We'll. what of it?"
What Of itn Gray breathed excitedIy,
as ne glanced about and reached into
his pocket. Look at ithis-and then
He held the muddy handkerchief be-
fore Burton, and Burton adjusted his
glasses and squinted, with a murmured:
what is it?'
"A little triHe 1 picked I'D bv the
summer house back there!" Gray NUT
tered. Look"
Letter embroidered in the corner,
Burton commented; and then his voice