The Washington times., 1911-07-28

W the garnet, WueEo lcn llllH-
utes before he'd been
missin."
And didn't he tell you where he'd
been?"
Never a word! He comes down and
sits at the table as natural as II he d
just walked over the street and back
l don't like his doin's, sir, not bit
l laughed. "Von Rotterbach is fond
of Jokes" l said, "aad perhaps he has
amused himself at your expense"
advised her to remain in the garret ana
watch.
1t is a matter of record at the Can
ders that l bet two to one on Roedlers S
return In six months, and that placed
a thousand pounds in the treasurer
hands to cover the gamble. 1t was no
ones business that the money was
Gwynne's, and that he had promised
me half the profit, and that l was to
lose nothing in any event. Ferraugh
stared as he accepted the bet.
And you know nothing definite?" he
asked.
How can a man know the futureT'
l answered, and the money was deposit
ed. 1t was the 18th of April.
When the time came for going to
RoedIer's, l decided TO walk. l was
filed with q vague mlsg1ving Of what
was before me, and wanted to think 1t
out. A cab would get over the ground
too quickly. But the showers OF an
April day speeded my steps toward the
end, and in the early twilight l found
myself at Burleigh Terrace.
My ring was answered by the same
slovenly maid. While her smile of rec
ognition was cordial, there was note
of trouble in her voice. She asked me
to come Unlocking anxiously about lest
she be overheard-then, In a low voice:
He's up thar now! You can watch
him yourSelfr
l followed her directions, and mount
ed the stairs. At the garret-door I
knocked.
There was a cherry Come inI' and
I entered.
The room extended the entire length
Of the house, and was directly under the
roof. 1t was in fact, a great undivided
loft with a skyllght near the center and
a window at either end. Gwynne was
busy at a workbench, and looked sur
prised when he saw me.
II followed your landlady's. or house
maids, instructions" proceeded.
Hope I'm not intruding."
I was assured that l wasn't and in
vited to sit down. AS there were no
chairs, spread myself out upon tool
amid a hodge-podge of Crucibles, re-
torts. lamps, wires, woodwork, and
metal He didn't seem to mind me, SO
/ sat quietly for a few minutes and
watched him without speaking. At last
he threw down a hammer and looked
up.
Don't you ever take that head-piece
off?" l inquired.
He wiped the sweat from his forehead
with his sleeves, leaving a streak Of
lamp-black and grease in its place. at
the same time pulling the wig slightly
awry.
"Oh. sometimes" he answered. but
It's too risky. The lady you referred
to is always on the lookout!"
Yes. She told me you were queer" >"
"Oh. did she?"
And that you had a way of disap-
pearing from the garret about supper
time. without coming downstairs"
OH
And that she had searched the place
and couldn't find you Immediately after
you had entered 1t, and when she knew
you couldn't get out without being
seen"
Interesting! Go on, prayr' He had
and was leaning back against the wall.
nursing his knee.
"She said you generally escaped on
foggy nIghts-and-and-"
Perhaps she was afraid ia catch
cold"
NO. Gwyrne. That woman Is wor-
ried about your evil ways, and so am
l."
''T like that! Pete, do you know
you're the most frightful prig I ever
saw? What have the Ganders been do
ing with you in my absence?"
well, I've been used mostly as an
example to the boys. It's been an
easy job, and would have been easier
still if you'd been on hand. It's the
contrast that tells
Il see! When did the lady say
was last out in this unaccountable man.
ner?"
Her report agrees with mine. Sc
riously. Gwynne, how did you do it?''
WHAT"
Get to Waterloo street in the fog
last night before l did
He reached for a crucible, showed me
II was empty, then laid it upon an anvil
and, taking up a hammer, smashed 1t.
II did 1t by means of what was In
that thing" he said. tossing the frag-
ments away.