The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1912-11-08
The STORY OF
AMAROFF The POLE

reading of 1t well enough, though time
has not stood idle since that Septem
Der evening Of the year 1892. From
the point of view of Bradford, my
uncle might be right; but what did
he know, argued, Of the higher ideal
which had chosen preferring the de-
velopment of my artistic sense to the
mere accumulation of money that
could not spend? Where was his JOY
OF life-he who spent his days In the
whirr of wheels and the fog Of many
chimneys? How could 1t compare with
mine in the ancient peace OF the
eighteenth century house that lay un'
der the towers that crowned the an
cient abbey at, Westminster? look
ed around me at the delicate tapes
tries that had brought from Florence
to my London rooms; at the glowing
Fragonards-souven of my year OF
artistic study In Paris; at the Dres-
den groups redolent Of old Saxony
Was l the fool or my uncle George?
There seemed to me no doubt about It.
1t was plainly Uncle George.
Yet the letter had unsettled me.
opened the swing doors that led to my
studio, switched on the light. and
stepped from easel to easel. examin-
ing my half-finished work with a grow
ing dissatisfaction. Were they indeed
merely the daubs of a wealthy anna
teur? I loitered back to my sitting
room in a sulky depression, and had
picked up an art paper, when there
came a tapping at the door, and the
grizzled head of old Jacob Hendry
came peering in. A perfect servant
was old Hendry, once sergeant Of in
fantry, and now combination OF cook,
valet, and housemaid. who kept my
rooms in spotless order, grilled a
steak to a turn, was a fair hand with
a needle, and spent his spare time in
producing the most inartistic wood
carving 1 have ever seen.
"Well, and what is it?" asked him;
for he seemed in some hesitation.
81 beg your pardon, Mr.. Phillips,
sir" he said, "but there's a young
man would like to see you. A most
respectable young man, sir, as lodges
above us on the third floor, but
go on, Jacob, 60 on"
"The fact is, sir, he's from the
Yard"
1.-THE Yard! What Yard"
Scotland Yard, sir, where the de-
tectives come from"
And where ! wish to Heaven they
would remain, thought l.
This intrusion was simply insuffer-
able. I had a mind to refuse the man
admittance.
ais boots is quite Clean" said ia
cob, entirely mistaking my hesitation.
az as wiped 'em on the mat. saw
I'm"
ooh, show him in"
1.-THE person, sir, of the name Of In
spector Peace" said Hendry, swing
ing open the door.
He was a tiny slip Of a fellow, Of
about five and thirty years Of age.
A stubble of brown hair. a hard. clean
shaver mouth, and confident chin
such was my impression. He took one
quick look at me, and then waited,
with his eyes on the carpet and his
head a trifie tilted over the right
shoulder.
81 fear that I have taken a great
liberty, Mr.. Phillips" he said, in a
very smooth and civil manner. "But
i had an idea that you would help
me, and time was Of Importance"
"Well, and what is it?"
"You have many friends amongst
the foreign artists here in London.
You attend their concerts and some
times even their little dances. We
are near neighbors, you see," he con-
cluded, with slight bow.
II am flattered by the interest you
have taken in my movements"
1.-TWO hours ago." he continued
cheerfully, "a body was found in a
passage off Leman street, Stepney-a
body which we cannot identify. The
man was of good position, a sculptor,
and, I believe, Pole. A cab is wait
ing at the door. 1t is late, I know,
Mr. Phillips; It cannot fail to be a
KT6aL DeTSOUdl Inconvenience buI VIII
you drive down with me and take a
look at him?"
Certainly not"
He saw that ! considered his pro-
posal an impertinence, for he hest
tated a moment, regarding me with an
air Of depression.
ct has stopped raining" he said,
"and the cab has most comfortable
cushions. noticed fur coat In the
hall which can be slipped on in mo-
ment. May I fetch 1t for your"
you merely waste time, Mr..
Peace" told him, 81 will have moth
ing to do with an affair in which am
nowise concerned"
This sculptor may be an acquain-
lance of your own" he said gravely;
'"aud while we are arguing his muir
derers may escape"
"Murderersf"
Eyes, sir; murderersI The man has
been strangled and robbed"
The position was most embarrass