Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1911-07-15
CHAPTER V.-contInued.

CHAPTER V.-continued.
Maitland accepted the card and ele-
waited his brows. "Ohl" he said, put
ting it down, his manner becoming per-
ceptibly less cordial. Il say, OHagan."
"Yessor?"
Il shall be busy for VIII half an
hour satisfy you. Mr.. Snaith ?"
You are most kind" the stranger
bowed.
I'm half an hour. OHagan. you may
return"
Very good. sor." And the hall door
closed.
49," said Maitland. turning to face
the man squarely, you are from police
headquarters?
CAS- you see." Mr.. Snaith motioned
delicately toward his business card
as he called it.
ell?"-after a moments pause.
81 am a detective, you understand"
perfectly" Maitland assented, I'M
moved.
His caller seemed partly amused,
partly-but very slightly-embar-
raised. Il have been assigned to
cover the affair of last night" he
continued blandly. Il presume you
have no objection to giving me what
information you may possess"
Credentials?
The mans amusement was made
visible In fugitive smile, half-hidden
by his small and neatly trimmed mus
tache. Mutely eloquent, he turned
back the lapel of his coat, exposing a
small shield; at which Maitland
glanced casually.
Very WELL" he consented, bored but
resigned. Fire ahead. but make 1t as
brief as you can; I've an engagement
1n"-glsncing at the clock-'an hour,
and must dress"
TIL detain you no longer than is es-
sential. . OF course you under
stand how keen we are after this man
Anisty"
What puzzles me-" Maitland inter
Tupted. lis how you got wind of the
AFFAIR so soon"
Then you have not heard?" Mr..
Snaith exhibited polite surprise.
Il am just out of bed"
"Anisty escaped shortly after you
left Maitland Manor"
"Ah!"
Mr. Snaith knitted his brows, evi.
IDENTIFY at loss whether to ascribe
Maitland's exclamation as due to sur
prise, regret, or relief. Which pleased
Maitland. who. had been at pains tc
make his tone noncommittal. In point
OF fact he was neither surprised mol
regretful.
"Thunder!" he continued, slowly. q
forgot to phone Higgins"
That is why /. called. Your butler
did not know where you could be
found. You had left in great haste
promising to send constables; you
failed to do so; Higgins got no word
In the course of an hour or so his
charge began to choke-or pretended
TO. Higgins became alarmed and re
moved the gag. Anisty lay quiet unit
his face resumed its normal color anC
then began to abuse Higgins for G
thick-headed idiot"
Mr.. Snaith interrupted himself t
chuckle lightly.
You noticed a resemblance? he re
sumed.
Maitland. too. was smiling. Some
thing of the sort"
1T is really remarkable, II you viii
permit me to say So" Snaith was
studying his hosts face intently. "Hig
gins, poor fellow, had his faith shaken
TO the foundations. This Anisty must
be a clever actor as well as a master
burglar. Having cursed Higgins roo
and branch, he got his second vino
aud explained that he was-Mr. Matt
landi Conceive Higgins position
What could he do?"
What he did, l gather"
Precisely"
And Anisty?"
"Once loosed, he knocked Higgins
over with the butt of a revolver
Jumped out of the window and van
ished. By the time the butler go
his senses back, Anisty, presumably
was miles away. Mr.. Matt
landi" said Snaith, sharply.
"Yes?" responded Maitland, elevat
ing his brows. refusing to be startled
why" crisply, didn't you senC
the constables from Greenfields, &C
eording to your promise?"
Maitland laughed uneasily and looke'
down. visibly embarrassed, acting
with consummate address, playing tn,
game for all he was worth; and enjoy
ana Il hugely