Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1911-06-06
NUMBER %.
CLEAN III his little dark eye. He hest
tated until his master repeated impa.

CLEAN III his little dark eye. He hesi-
tated until his master repeated impa.
tiently:
"What else did say. Jamesr
The butler coughed deprecatingly.
looked helplessly around the room and
then blurted forth In low tone the
informa ton that Mr.. Raddason bad
called him into the library to look at
little ringtailed green dragon which
he said was perched on the table.
"And what did you see there
James?" demnnded his master icily.
II didn't see nothing. sir" said the
butler uncomfortably.
"You may go. james. and I recon-
mend that you omit several quarts OF
champagne from your daily ration;
I'll guarantee you won't see any ring
tailed green dragons or anything else
Mr. Raddason waved an imperative
hand. and the butler went reluctantly
from the room. His last look was at
the detective. and Mr.. Fem was posi-.
tive that the butler crooked beckon.
Ing finger at him as he disappeared
by the way. you didn't get chance
to question James after all" remarked
Mr.. Raddason Perhaps It doesn't
make any difference, though-the fel.
low seems to be rather ratified about
something or other. I don't know what
he meant by the Trout club dinner;
that's not due until the 23d."
Mr. Fem took the morning newspa.
per from the table and scanned the
pages careIessly. Presently his gaze
became fixed. and he read for several
moments before he laid the paper
down
I'D like to use the telephone for a
moment. Mr. Raddason." be said.
"Where shall find it"
I'm the hall: james will show you"
Rnddason touched the bell. and James
appeared. and In response to Mr..
Fenn's request he led the detective
down the long hall to the telephone
booth Before rhe detective picked up
the receiver he had short conversa-
ton with the butler.
When the detective returned to the
library he found Mr.. Raddason In the
act of swallowing headache powder.
sHad n beastly headache all the morn
ing" he complained II got to think
Ing about that confounded ring an9
wondering where It had gone to-"
"Don't worry any longer. Mr. Rad.
dason." said the detective calmly.
1.-THE ring has been found"
"Found!" exclaimed Mr.. Raddason
excitedly "You don't mean to say
James,
James Is quite innocent. sir. In
fact. everybody's quite guiltless. l
think I can give you little sketch OF
your evening and what followed
First. you intended to stop at Flirk-
sells and get your jade ring. but as
you had an engagement 20 attend the
Trout clubs annual dinner you did
not stop for the ring. and IL has not
yet been In your possession.
why why-why. what do you
mean. FennI" Spuftered Mr. Raddason
warmly
Il lust called Mr. Flicksell on the
telephone. and be says you haven't
been after the ring yet. II you viii
look at this mornings newspaper you
will see an account Of the Trout clubs
dinner and also mention % the fact
that Mr Rad,laSOn mixed q famous
punch " HIS own invention called
rngtailed green drago1 pnnch. Nr
Raddason II serms Il II compOsed %
soda water. ahSinrh. lines In plenty.
mint. old Malaga wine aud various
other ingr~dienis-lf you will pardon
me. sir. enough hr-works 90 make q
felkw SEE all sorts ot queer thinga-
lie looked away from Mr. Iladdason's
disturbed counienance.
"Do you mean 10 say that was er
affected by that punch Of my own
con, o,-tionY' asked the millionaire In q
horror struck voice why. Mr. Penn.
I've never been In that condition In
my life
Il understand that you never have
been before. hut ! took the liberty OF
inquIring concerning your movements
last night. Several Of the guests
whose names are mentioned told me
that you were not feeling well and
went home NJ 1890. That's all. ! be-
Iieve. sir" said the detective. rising
from his chair mir. Flickscll will tell
you thar the ring has not Yet been
called fol"
Mr. Raddason sat In thoughtful 81
Ience for some time James is II good
fellow and OF impeccable character. as
I've already told you. Mr.. Fem. ne
said. with a whimsical smile. 81 won
der what ! owe him" He drew q
checkbook toward him and filled In
check and give II to the detective.
with wry smile.
"One on me. Mr. Fem. ri catch
you yet, though" he threatened.
The detective tucked the cheek
AWAY with satisfied rhurk!n. I'm
a temperance man myself. SIR" he
murmured. THAT ringtailed green
dragon punch of yours has served me
a good turn today"