Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-05-09


large handbag. A slight, dapper, clean
shaver youth, evidently valet, re-
sponded to her summons, and admitted
them to a conventionally furnished ho-
tel suite parlor.
"In lust ono moment, miss" he said;
and disappeared into room beyond
Van Braun walked to a window. and
stood looking out across the tree tops
OF Central Park. When he turned, it
was at the sound of mans voice, and
to see a rather ford. dissipated-look-
ing young man, with bristling waxed
mustaches, bowling in the exaggerated
foreign manner to the newspaper wo-
man.
my advertisement" Van Braun
heard him say, was Intentionally .
little misleading. offered no reward,
for instance, because did not wish to
be called upon to examine scores Of
old slippers. And I widened the boun-
daries of locality in order that might
by single question discover whether
the slipper was being returned by tho
actual finder, or at second hand"
But you, sir?" Miss Williams re-
turned How am I to be sure that
you represent the loser?"
The florid man smiled. II will tell
you just how the slipper came to be
lost. Then, IL you know the circum.
stances under which 1t was found, we
shall both, I maintain, have established
our temporary right to its possession.
My sister and I had been attending a
dance at Sherry's, where, unfortunate
ly, she CHANGED to sprain her ankle. In
our car she removed her slipper, and
handed it to me to hold. My hand, in
which it rested lightly, lay loosely
along the top Of the lowered window,
when a sudden jolt Of the car-there
must have been an awkward hole in
the roadway-sent the slipper flying
| wished to return for it.; but on &C.
count of her aching ankle, she would
listen to no delay. I had a whtm
nevertheless, to recover it; and hence
the advertisement"
He paused, and the newspaper wo-
man began fumbling with the catch Of
her handbag.
Now, where did you find it," he
asked.
II saw it fly from the window Of
your car" she answered. You had
not yet crossed Forty-second Street"
Van Braun, listening. realized the
cleverness Of the deduction. And yet
he questioned whether the answer was
so obtained. He turned sufficiently to
see her pass the slipper to the claimant
You recognize it," she asked.
He was turning it about in his
hands; gloatingly, it seemed to the
watcher; when. abruptly, the door from
the passage was swung wide. and two
burly men rudely invaded the room.
Without word Of explanation or
apology and before any one Of the oc-
cupants was able even to conjecture
their object the leader had flung him.
self upon the young man of the waXed
mustaches, and snatched the slipper
from his surprised fingers.
Customs officers!" Van Braun muir
INJURED. And they have probably
heard every word"
The ensuing conversation verified
his conjecture.
"I'm sorry. sir" was the conclusion
of the officer who was thrusting the
slipper into his pocket, ''but I'll have
to ask you to go along down town with
me-"
But why?" ranted the accused.
what Is the charge? You surely don't
accuse me Of Stealing
"You are accused Of being party
to an attempt to smuggie into the
United States ono of the most famous
and valuable gems in all Europe-the
Vaurigard red diamond. which Is MD
den in the heel of this slipper"
But, my dear man." was the an
swering protest. IL give you my word
that"
Gramercy Van Braun, stepping FOR
ward, joined the group. And 1t was
at sight Of him that the speaker hesl'
tated.
That slipper belongs to my sister,
Miss Edith La Fontaine," he concluded
boldly Surely" he added. you
would not dare accuse her of such a
thing"
With fist clenched, Van Braun gave
emphasis to his first words.
zone more cowardly lie like that
from you. and there'll be nothing left
of you 10 arrest" he cried. Miss La
Fontaine's brother! She has but one,
and he and / have been friends from
boyhood." He turned to the customs
men. You'll find this persons por
trait and record at Police HeadQuar
ters. Those who know him best, be
lieve, call him Billy the Duke. He's
a confidence man, CRATER, and croOl
in general. Three years ago he was
! working the transatlantic liners. an(
he seems still engaged in the ole
game
The accused offered no defense. HI
simply summoned his valet and re
ouested that his hat, coat and walking
stick be brought to him. Miss WI
liams, meanwhile, was making rapi(
notes on roll of copy paper she hat
extracted from her handbag, The OF
ficers were thanking Van Braun.
When. few minutes later, that gen
tleman entered the elevator, Miss VII
liams, hastily pursuing, became his fel
T. low passenger. In spite OF seemin'
y outward composure, he noted that sh
WAS very pale,
= ITS turned out a cracking goo
story" she declared, "but there are
:, lot of details still to be cleared w
y Maybe you can tell me where | ma
:. find Miss La Fontaine.'
The young man regarded her Wit
k an interest that was the reverse O
friendly. III ! were you" he said, hi
accents measured. "Id let we'll enoug
o alone. So long as ! don't bother ab0u