The Delta independent., 1911-07-28

cabman, whose Venicle ne was using
as q redoubt. looked at him inquiring-
ly, but the detective fished out Of his
pocket q fat cigar with a scarlet-and.
gold band. and in a moment he and
the cabby were chatting amiably. The
headquarters man had not long to
wait Before the cabman had gone
far into discussion of the current po-
litical crisis, the door Of the restau-
rant across the street was swung open
by boy in many buttons. and Mrs.
Missioner appeared on the threshold.
She was followed closely by Griswold
and, after a moments pause to glad
den the heart of the much-buttoned
youth, by man the watching detec-
tive was somewhat surprised to see
Bruxton Sands.
Home" said Mrs Missioner to her
chauffeur. Britt could not hear the
word, but he read 1t from her lips.
He saw the widow step into her limou-
sine, saw Sands and Griswold follow.
saw the chauffeur throw his clutch,
saw the big car glide swiftly south to
wheel for northward trip along the
avenue. Before the automobile
TedCHeu d punt, lhS uCtSS1No
sprang into the cab. whispered an ad-
dress to the driver, and added in q
low tone:
Double your fare for speed"
The cabman dashed his horse and.
knowing his craft, threaded his way
through the traffic SO quickly that in
short time he was several blocks
ahead of the limousine. All the way
up the avenue the race continued.
Britt well in the lead. At the Fifty
ninth street entrance, the automobile
swung into the park, but the cabman
urged his horse straight up Fifth ave-
nue. and so great was the gain made
by the short cut that few blocks fur
Their north he dropped his fare in
front OF a mansion of imposing uglt-
ness, touched his hat in acknowledge
ment of a generous fee, and was bowl
ing eastward. halfway to Madison ave-
nue., when the Missioner car reap
peared from the parks Seventy-sec-
ond street gate.
You at least can stop for minute
of gossip" said Mrs. Missioner over
her shoulder as she preceded Sands
and Griswold into her library. Fl
nance and club affairs can wait lit
tie while, and-oh!'
She stopped in the act of throwing
off her furs, and stood gazing at the
middle of the room There, absorbed
in his task, at ease in a big chair be-
fore the cracking CRATE, sat Detective
Lieutenant Britt Pad in one hand.
pencil in the other, he was sketching
busily.
Mrs. Missioner extended hand be-
hind her to silence her companions.
She turned her head with smile al
most as mischievous as Dorothy could
flash.
"Hush!" she whispered. She and
the others watched Britt quietly az
his pencil moved slowly. awkwardly
over the paper. From his frequent
glances at the end OF the room that
held the big safe. 1t was evident he
was making a drawing OF 1t. The la
borious dragging Of his pencil point
proved he was not accustomed to such
work-at least. SO 1t seemed to one
OF the three who watched him. But
the sleuth stuck to the task doggedly.
and at last he bore SO heavily on a
corner of his sketch that the point OF
his pencil broke.
He laid down the pad. took out a
pocket knife, and began to sharpen
the pencil When the point was
fashioned to his liking. he looked up.
Then and then only did he seem to
see the widow and her friends. He
arose instantly and bowed to Mrs.
fol ho with a abort
nod to the men behind her.
Mrs. Missioner bowed her mead IN
assent
You wish to see me?" she inquired.
There Is something more you wish
to know"
She was not in the mood for dis
cussion Of the detective's quest This
evening The afternoon tea in
Sherry's, the short ride home. in.
Guiding the turn in the park. with her
two most persistent admirers, this
coy homecoming in the dusk of a
winter day, however unreasonable the
weather. had made her meditative.
Even as she spoke to the detective
and sank dreamily into a conversation
chair beside the fire, her eyes strayed
from Sands to Griswold, from Girls
void to Sands with the vague look OF
q woman trying to decide momen-
tous question. Griswold, ever ready
to seize the smallest advantage,
promptly occupied the other end OF
the chair. Facing the beautiful
widow, he ignored both Britt and
Sands, and he threw into the glances
he showered upon the woman all the
caress at his command.
Britt eyed Sands sharply before re-
plying. He gripped his chin with
thumb and finger, and seemed study.