Arizona republican., 1912-04-19
Ohe OheH oF Me
 RZue 9erston
By MRS. WILSON WOODROW
COPYRIGHT. lalo by HE PEARSON PUBLISHING co.

 able a suspicion may be- he said, it Is always plausible if the underlying impulse be apparent, Now, plainly. the motives for this theft were not sordid, for the cat is valuelCss with out his pedigree. Neither is it likely that he is being held for ransom as in that case you would not only have been threatened in advance. but you would also have received some com munication or demand by this time.
 Therefore he went on in his lei- surely, dispassionate fashion. the case, as it appears. resolves itself into this-rivalry. Some jealous exhibitor at the coming show is determined that Ahmed shall not win the blue ribbon of his class"
 Mrs. Allen." gasped Rose, and then clapped her hand to her mouth mortified at her indiscreet utterance
 Just so." faint, satisfied smile played about Darke's mouth for a mo- ment. Tt is admitted that Mrs Aliens Ayesha' is your cats only real competitor. Now I believe that it is very we'll known in their set that Senator Wodeburn has been for years an ardent and importunate suitor for Mrs. Aliens hand"
 She is capable of anything cried Rose sharply. She has been saying everywhere that Prince Ahmed has a snipey' nose. and that he is so long. when any judge knows what a colby body and apple head he has And she also says, wherever she dares, that he has enough white hairs under his chin to disqualify him for any ex- hibition. and that Ernestine pulls them out with tweezers every day. And she herself knows so little about high-bred cats that she actually boasts of the length Of Ayesha's tail"
 Darke nodded. A fairly clear-cut case" he said. Now 1 will make some investigations in the outer cor. ridor, and while doing so I will ask you two to finger about the door and warn me with a quick whistle if you see anyone coming"
 Willy fell behind Rose and Darke on their way 10 the door, and them presently. he paused and suppressed a sharp exclamation. Was it merely a shadow he saw? Orwell. at any rate, it gave him food for thought
 Once out in the hall. MT. Fennell Darke again flung himself down, and with his magnifying glass went over every inch of the floor for a yard or more about the door-sill.
 He's a Harvard man" said Rose in rapid undertone to Willy; has his own income. and has taken mp this work because he loves it. and be- cause he longs 10 benefit humanity" ."
 Aha" with an exclamation Of tri- umph. Darke held mp small silvery- gray tuft of fur detached no doubt from Prince Ahmed's coat in his first vigorous efforts 10 free himself Willy reflected, as he gaZed at it. that he did not envy Ahmed's captor; and Rose. after one glance. turned her head away. too much moved to speak.
 Just then Gaines gave a quick whistle, and Darke was on his feet in a second moment later, a waiter hurried down the hall. and after knocking at Senator Wodeburn's door handed in a small covered pitcher. Darke intercepted the man as he turned away. and slipped something into his hand.
 What was that you just deliv- ered?" he asked.
 Milk. sir"
 Milk" The glance of the psycho- logical detective was eloquent. Does Senator Wodeburn often order milk"
 "Oh, no, sir; this is the first time that I know of. but he telephoued down that he wanted some at once and might need some more later"
 While the three stood gazing at each other Will and Rose finding DO words in the face of Darke's uncon- cealed satisfaction. the door of the suite beyond opened and Senator Wodeburn himself, stately, gray haired, benevolent, appeared at the door.
 Seeing the fhree in close consulta- ion. he hesitatcd a moment and then came forward with outstretched hand. Good morning, Gaines. My dear
 
 loss and I am more than sorry"
 Willy detected a faint shrinking in Roses manner. Thank you" she said. little coldly, but how did you hear of it?"
 Wodeburn seemed 8 bit confused al the question. why-eh. :. Oh yes. My man. Ryan, told me
 Fennell Darke leaned forward sud denly. T beg your pardon, Senator Wodehurn.' he said but you have something on your sleeve" and with thumb and forefinger, he plucked away tuft of the same gray fur which he had recently found upon the floor
 ;ne other showed a touch of em- barraasment. Thank you" he said curtly, Ryan must be more careful. I wonder where it came from lie went on 'It must be from the lin ing of my motoring coat Ryan has insisted for some time that I get 8 new one" He laughed in 8 rather perturbed fashion For some reason the fellows conscience has, been stir ring today and he is actually doing a little work. overhauling clothes and all that osort of thing He's done more harm than good so fur. though, for he spilled a bottle of ink all over