Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1912-03-29

| along the hall to the door at the rear,
where Britt parted the portieres and
looked into the big room in which he
had interviewed the Eastern scholar.
Its appearance was much the same as
It had been on his preceding visit,
save that as his practiced eye dwelt
more persistently upon II, he noted
the disappearance of many small arti-
cles, particularly a porphyry Buddha
that had sat within a little shrine
upon the wall. The apartment had the
seeming Of having been subjected to
a surface stripping by persons about to
leave 1t In a hurry. Few Of the 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 a smokers con-
ISOLATION.
Gone. eh." said Fitch, in an UNI
dertone.
Britt nodded.
Think we had better look up
stairs?" asked the doctor.
With another swift nod the detec-
tive turned on his heel and led the
way from floor to floor until they
reached the top Of the house. They
glanced into every room and explored
the larger apartments thoroughly. All
we're empty. Here and there they
found EVIDENCES of hasty packing. In
various rooms were queer jumbles OF
he Dck
single hairline stripes Uf delicate tints
lay beside Oriental scraps of mani
fest fineness. On one rack hung
Derby hat, on another a turban like
that worn by the Swami, and like the
kerchief Britt had found on the fire
escape of the Hotel Renaissance. One
of the most interesting finds was q
scimitar with a jeweled hilt and
blade Of wonderful keenness. Britt
drew It from its scabbard and was
about to feel the edge when Fitch
stopped him with a swift gesture.
Don't touch it, lieutenant" said the
doctor. "One 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 as likely to
be poisoned as not. In fact, they pre-
fer poisons to straight lighting"
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 Britt ex-
pianatory, as he began closer search
Of the room. I'VE may find trace Of
them in some Of their papers. It's
worth few minutes to make a hunt.
Get busy. doci" And the detective
rummaged through drawer after draw
or, Fitch following his example. They
found many unusual articles. but
nothing that gave an inkling of the d.
rection Of the Hindoos' fiight-for II
was certain the Orientals had depart.
ed hastily. having gained their object
In getting possession Of the Missioner
necklace. Britz had no smallest doubt
the Fasteners had anticipated him
In the burglary of Mrs. Delaroche's
apartments. He 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 the
building. In his opinion, the gems had
been filched from Millicent'e pillow
by either the Swami or the Prince
II was typical of the clever cunning
of the high-caste orientals to take
only the jewels and leave the casket
under the pillow. so that Mrs. Della
roche should not miss the stones I'M
til the last moment possible. They
must have picked the lock.
Britz had ended his exploration Of
the last table drawer. and was turning
to a lacquered desk. when Fitch. with
a cry Of unmistakable alarm, gripped
his wrist and dragged him toward the
divan, and with a bound stood upon
it's yielding surface
Jump up, quick!" said the doctor.
plucking at the detectives arm as he
spoke.
Britt had experienced too many
emergencies in his career TO waste
time in questions. When anyone OF
whose friendliness he felt sure told
him to jump, run. or duck, obedience
to the command was his first instinct
time enough for explanation after
ward. He leaped to the springy sofa
beside the physician. and turned to
| find the doctors arm stretched tense
ly, ending in Quivering forefnger
that pointed at something moving
across the space between the divan
and door. Even as the two looked at
1t. the motion of the creature ceased.
and two beady eyes we're turned In
their direction. Fitch dragged the
detective to the other end Of the sofa
and began climbing to the top of a
tall chiffonier that stood against the
wall Britt needed no further word
from his friend. The physicians
haste was sufficient indication that
they were IN grave peril, and though
the tall chest OF drawers made slip
perry climbing, he was beside the doc
tor with marvellous quickness. When
both were safely on the top Of the
-chiffonier. Fitch lowered a foot and
with a powerful shove sent the divan
a yard or more away. Then he drew
his feet to the top of their perch, and
babe Britt do the same That done,
Fitch mopped his brow with q hand