The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1911-07-27

Mr.. Fem thinks you might be abba
to tell him whether the doors ana
windows had been open or closed dur.
ing the evening and whether some
one might have been concealed In the
room when l returned home from the
theater."
"By the way, what play did you go
to see last night, Mr.. Raddason" ask.
ed the detective.
The millionaire paused and nibbled a
finger thoughtfully. His forehead
creased In a puzzled frown that deep
ened as the minutes passed I'm
blessed IL l can tell you, Fennr' he
cried at last i've been to some show
every night this week. and l can't re-
member which one did go to see last
night"
81 beg your pardon. SIR" ventured
the butler meekly, but you told me
you had been to the annual dinner of
the Trout club"
"Poohl You're dreaming, James" re-
marked Mr.. Raddason uneasily. What
else did say last night, eh2"
James looked exceedingly uncom-
! Portable, and yet there was malicious
CLEAN In his little dark eye. He hest
tated until his master repeated impa-
tiently:
what else did 1 say, JamesT
The butler coughed deprecatingly,
looked helplessly around the room and
then blurted forth in a low tone the
information that Mr.. Raddason had
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.
James2" demanded his master icily.
'I didn't see nothing, SIR" said the
! butler uncomfortably.
You may go, James, and / 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. y
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 1t doesn't
make any difference, though-the fell
low seems to be rather ratified about
something or other. 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 carelessly. Presently his gaze
became fixed, and he read for several
moments before he laid the paper
down.
ard like to use the telephone for a
moment, Mr.. Raddason." he said.
"Where shall | find it?'
"In the hall; james will show you.
Raddason 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 the detective picked up
the receiver he had short converse
ton with the butler.
When the detective returned to the
library he found Mr.. Raddason In the
act of swallowing a headache powder
Had beastly headache all the morn
ing" he complained. IT got to think
ing about that COMPOUNDED ring and
wondering where it had gone to-"
Don't worry any longer. Mr.. Rad
dason." said the detective calmly
.'The ring has been found"
Found" exclaimed Mr.. Raddasor
excitedly. You don't mean to say
James
james is quite innocent, sir. In
fact, everybody's quite guiltless.
think l can give you little sketch OF
your evening and what followed
First, you intended to stop at Flick
sells and get your Jade ring, but as
you had an engagement to attend the
Trout clubs annual dinner you die
not stop for the ring, and it has moi
yet been In your possession"
"Why-why-why, what do yor
mean, Fenn?" sputtered Mr.. Raddasor
warmly.
IT just called Mr.. Flicksen on the
telephone. and he says you haven't
been after the ring yet. If you vii
look at this mornings newspaper yor
will see an account of the Trout clubs
dinner and also mention of the fac
that Mr.. Raddason mixed a famous
punch of his own invention. called
ringtailed green dragon punch. Mr.
Raddason. 1t seems 1t is composed Of
soda water, absinth, lines In plenty
mint, old Malaga wine and various
other ingredients-if you will pardon
me, sir. enough fireworks to make 6
fellow see all sorts of queer things
He looked away from Mr.. Raddason's
disturbed countenance.
''Do you mean to say that l was-el
Affected by that punch Of my owl
concoctionf' asked the millionaire In 6
horror struck voice. "Why, Mr.. Fem
I've never been In that condition IL
my life"
II understand that you never have
been before, but / 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 at 1890. That's all, be
lieve, SIR" said the detective. rising
from his chair. "Mr. Flicksell will tell
you that the ring has not yet been
| calIad foro