Marble Hill press. (Marbel [sic] Hill, Mo.) 1881-1923, 1912-01-18

had interviewed the Eastern scholar.
Its appearance was much the same rs
It had been on his preceding visit.
save that as his practiced eye dwelt
more porsistently upon II. he noted
the disappearance OF many small arti'
cles. particularly a porphyry Buddha
that had sat within little shrine
upon the wall. The apartment had the
seeming OF having been subjected TO
surface stripping by persons about to
leave It in hurry. Few OF tho sol
emn books that had been scattered
about the room remained. Among the
Oriental objects still in the room was
the narghileh from which the sage
was fond OF drawing q smokers con-
ISOLATION.
"Gono. eh'" said Fitch. in an IN.
dertone.
BrltE nodded.
Think we had better look up
STAIRS" asked the doctor.
With another swift nod the delec.
tive turned on his heel and led the
way from floor 10 floor until they
reached the top OF the house. They
glanced into every room ard explored
the larger apartments thoroughly. All
we're empty. Here and there they
found evidences OF hAsty packing. In
various rooms we're queer jumbles OF
the East and west-linen collars with
argle hairline stripes OF delicate unts
lay beside Oriental scraps OF mani
fest fneness On one rack hung q
Derby hat. on another a turban like
that worn by the Swami. and like the
kerchief Britt had found on the IRE
escape OF the Hotel Renaissance. One
OF the most interesting hnds was q
scimitar with a jeweled hilt and
blade Of wonderful keenness. Britt
drew II from its scabbard and was
about 10 feel the edge when Fitch
stopped him with a swift gesture.
Don't touch II, lieutenant" said the
doctor. "Oue never knows what
criminal tricks these beggars play
with their weapons"
As the detective looked at him In
quiringly. he added:
"a sword or dagger is A. likely to
be poisoned as not In fact they pre-
fer polsons to straight fighting.
Convinced there was no one In the
upper part OF the house, the two men
descended to the main floor and re.
entered the reception room at the
rear.
This was their den" said Rritx ex'
planatory. as be began . closer search
of the room. I'VE may and trace OF
them In some Of their papers. It's
worth a few minutes to make hunt
Get busy. doc" And the detective
rummaged through drawer after draw
err. Fitch following his example. They
found many unusual articles. but
nothing that gave an inkling OF the d.
rection Of the Hindoos' fight-for II
was certain the orientals had depart
ed hastily. having gained their object
in getting possession Of the Missioner
necklace. Britt had no smallest doubi
the Fasteners had anticipated him
in the burglary OF Mrs. Delaroche'i
apartments. lie did not believe any
Of the low-caste Hindoos would have
been skilful enough TO get into the
woman's rooms, so near the top OF thu
building. In his opinion. the gems hat
been filched from MillIceut's pillow
hy either the Swami or the Prince
II was typical OF the clever cunnini
Of the hlgh-casts orIentais TO TAKE
only the Jewels and leave the caske
under the pillow. so that Mrs. Della
roche should not miss the stones ui
III the last moment possible, TheI
must have picked the lock.
Britz had ended his exploration q
the last table drawer. and YVES turnini
to a lacquered desk, when Fitch. Will
cry OF unmistakable alarm. grippet
his wrist and dragged him toward thu
diyan. and with a bound stood upoI
| its yielding surface,
Jump up, quick!" said the doctor
| plucking at the detectives arm as b
spoke
Britz had experienced too man,
emergencies in his career TO vast
time ia questions. When anyone o
whose friendliness he felt sure toI'
him to Jump, run, or duck. obedience
to the command was his first instinc
time enough for explanation after
ward. He ieaped to the springy soft
beside the physician, and turned 4
flnd the doctors arm stretched tense
iy, ending In o quivering forefinge
that pointed at something movinI
across the space between the diva
and door. Even as the two looked
II, the motion OF the creature ceased
and two beady eyes were turned u
their direction. Fitch dragged tn
detective to the other end OF the soft
and began climbing to the top OF
tall chiffonier that stood against tn
wall. fritx needed no further wor'
from his friend. The physician
haste was sufficient indication tina
they were In grave peril. and thougl
the tall chest OF drawers made sir
perry climbing. he was beside the doc
tor with marvellous quickness. whel
both were safely on the top Of III
chiffonier, Fitch lowered foot an
with a powerful shove sent the diva
q yard or more away. Then he dres
his feet TO the top OF their perch. an
bsos Britx DO the sama Thar dons