The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-10-14
The STORY OF
AMAROFF THE POLE

young fool"
remembered the sentence and the
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? I look
ed around me at the delicate tapes.
tries that had brought from Florence
to my London rooms; at the glowing
Fragonards-souvenirs Of my year OF
artistic study in Paris; at the ORES.
den groups redolent of old Saxony.
Was / the fool or my uncle Georgei
There seemed to me no doubt about It
It 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-fnished work with a grow
ing dissatisfaction. Were they indeed
merely the daubs of a wealthy anna
teur? loitered back to my sitting
room in 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 9
steak to a turn, was a fair hand With
q needle, and spent his spare time in
producing the most inartistic wood
carving have ever seen.
well. and what Is it," I asked him:
for he seemed in some hesitation.
'T 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. go on"
The fact is. sir. he's from the
Yard.
'"The Yard! What Yard?"
Scotland Yard, sir. where the de
tectives come from"
And where wish to Heaven they
would remain, thought I.
This intrusion was simply insuffer
able. had mind to refuse the man
adinittance.
Is boots is quite Clean" said ia
cob, entirely mistaking my hesitation
"'E as wiped 'em on the mat. I saw
I'm"
"Oh, show him In
"The person, sir. of the name of In
spector Peace" said Hendry, swing
ing open the door.
He was tiny slip of fellow. oi
about five and thirty years of age
4 stubble OF brown hair. hard, clean.
shaven mouth, and confident chin
such was my impression. He took one
quick look ct me. and then waited.
with his eyes on thea carpet and his
head trifie tilted over the right
shoulder.
IT fear that have taken a great
liberty. Mr.. Phillips" he said, in a
very smooth and civil manner. "But
I had an idea that you would helr
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.
IT am fattered by the interest you
have taken In my movements"
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. a Pole. A cab Is wait
ing at the door. 1t is late. know,
Mr.. Phillips; it cannot fail to be q
great personal inconvenience: but will
you drive down with me and take a
look at him?'
Certainly not"
He saw that I considered his pro
posai 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. I noticed a fur coat IN the
hall which can be slipped on in mo
ment. May I fetch 1t for you?"
~You merely waste time. Mr.
Peace" I told him, II 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;
and while We are arguing his muir.
derers may escape"
Murderers?"
Yes, sir; murderers! The man has
been strangled and robbed"
The position was most embarrass
ing. He asked me to go into part
or London that hod .lm.va parefully