The Huttig news., 1912-02-03
ond street gate.

You at least can stop for minute
of gossip, said Mrs. Missioner over
her shoulder as she preceded Sands
and Griswold into her library Fl
nance and club affairs can wait lit
! tie while and-oh."
She stopped in the act OF throwing
off her furs. aud stood gazing at the
middle of the room There, absorbed
tn his task. at ease in a big chair be.
| fore the cracking CRATE, sat Detective.
Lieutenant Britt. Pad in one hand.
pencil In the other, he was sketchins
busily.
Mrs Missioner extended hand be-
! hind her to silence her companions.
She turned her head with smile al
most as mischievous as Dorothy could
fash
Hush" she whispered She and
the others watched Britt quietly as
his pencil moved slowly, awkwardiy
over the paper From his frequent
glsnces at the end of the room that
held the big safe il was evident he
was making a drawing Of 1t. The la
borious dragging OF his pencil poirt
proved he was not accustomed 10 such
work-at least so it seemed 10 one
of the three who watched him But
the sleuth stuck to the task doggedly
and at last he bore so heavily on
corner of his sketch that the point OF
his pencil broke.
He laid Gown the pad took out
pocket knife and began TO sharpen
J -, tut
fashioned TO his liking, he looked up.
Then and then only did he seem TO
see the widow and her friends He
arose instantly AID bowed to Mrs.
! Missioner, following that with short
nod 10 the men behind her.
Il told your man 10 let me come in
madam. because had no time &c
spare said uthhe sleuth.
Mrs Missioner bowed her head in
as ent.
You wish to see me-" she inquired
There is something more you wish
to know?"
She was not In the mood for dis.
cussion of the detectives quest this
evening The afternoon tea in
Sherrys, the short ride home i'm
Guiding the turn in the park. with her
two most persistent admirers, this
coy Homecoming in the dusk OF
winter day, however unreasonable tina
weather. had made her meditstive.
Even as she spoke TO the detective
and sank dreamily into conversation
chair beside the fire her eyes stray ed
from Sands TO Griswold. from Girls.
void to Sands. with the vague look OF
woman trying to decide nlomen.
tous question. Griswold. ever ready
to seize the smallest advantage.
promptly occupied the other end of
the chair Facing the beautiful
widow. he ignored both Britt and
Sands. and he threw into the glanees
he showered upon the woman ali the
caress at his command
Rritz eyed Sands sharply before re-
plying. He gripped his chin with
thumb and finger and seemed study
ing the big millionaire. As matter
of fact. he was watching Griswo' d..
His gaze. even as II appeared focused
most strongly on Sands, in reality was
concentrated on the ciuhnan, who
shared the serpentine chair with The
wealthy widow.
Il want 4 plan OF the room" said
Britt at length. "A sketch of the sale.
too One of my men was TO hsye
made draughts for me, but had TO
send him out Of town al short notice
on another end of the case So, and
he smiled slowly at his poor work
manship, I'm doing the best can"
May sec what you have drawn >"
asked Mrs Missioner pleasantly "Ch.
/ Mr.. Britt" she laughed, holding the
paper at arms length, I'm afraid
You'll never make. an artist ! hope.
she added hastily, you have no pro
fessional pride on that point?'
None whatever" returned the de-
tective. He liked a woman with
sense of humor and there was some
thing about Mrs. Missioner that ap
pealed 70 him anyway. Il tod you |
was merelv substitute
Sands. towering above the widow o.
the hearth-rug, shot single fndiifef
ent lGok at the drawing Griswold'.
glance brushed it carelessly, but the
widows interest in it was echoed b.
him in so for that he took the dia
gram from her and examined 1t for
few seconds. Then, with a short
harsh laugh, he half turned to Britt
alternately bending and Strengthening
the paper In his fingers.
Ever hear of such a thing as per
spective, detective?" he asked condo
scending'y. Britt overlooked the air
OF superiority. He shook his head
tAoughtfuIly. There was inquiry IN
his eyes as he waited for Griswold's
next words. You'd starve to death
N a studio" the clubman continued
scornfully.
crisp little laugh from Britt was
the only reply. He crossed the floor
end made a microscopic examination
of the safe Then he circ ed the room,
tapping the walls again, moving pieces
of furniture to look behind them, turn
up corners OF the rug, and gazing re-
fectively at the ceiling. All, the In