Evening star., 1912-10-06

sensational beGceSt of the diary did not JUS
tify call on tne time and energies of the
bureau, since really formed part and par
eel of the local investigation.
But he trusted CLANCY as he would trust
no other He knew it was useless to ask his
diminutive colleague what he expected to
discover in Florida,-as we'll ask an opium
eater to describe his dreams, so it was with
whimsical gravity that he said next morning:
"Unless YOU strike oil soon, old man,
chuck the whole business, send me wire,
and come home. I'll tell Atlantic City we
haven't any further interest in the case
"But the Atlantic City people will prompt
ly arrest Mrs. Delamar on suspicion.
"Let them"
ooh, dear no! Whatever happens, she
must remain in FOOLS paradise till the ad-
journed inquest"
"Did you see her yesterday?'
ayes. She went shopping.
Steingall laughed with sheer annoyance.
am afraid we've found mares nest,
Charles" he said.
"Or an owls. Don't forget our owl.
wish YOU had heard that screech. 1t would
have curdled your backbone, and then stiff
ened it, l believe Kyrle was shreking for
vengeance through that birds steam-whlstle
throat"
"Owl me no owls" cried Steingall. "I'm
beginning to fear we are a pair of geese.
And with this they parted, Clancy to rush
south during the night, and Steingall to clear
up arrears of other pressing business.
NEXT morning Claude Waverton trav-
~ eled to the Adirondacks, and for four
days lived like hermit, or as nearly resem-
bling hermit as the conditions of existence
in we'll kept country house would permit:
On the score of i'll health he politely declined
to receive the manager, the butler, the head
gardener, or anyone who meant to discuss
household affairs or business in any shape or
form. He hardly realized the immense con-
cession made by the Rev. George w. Nor
ton local pastor of the Protestant Episcopal
Churcn, in calling on an admitted rascal
who happened to be his chief parishloner, or
he might have endeavored to assuage the
worthy clergyman's distress by promising
future amendment and heavy subscriptions
to various deserving objects. But he shut
himself off resolutely, even from the servants
in the house, and if he encountered an en-
ployee in his solitary wanderlngs through
the park he would avoid the man altogether,
or, if that was impossible, acknowledge the
salute and CHEEKY "Good day, Sir, by
smile and nod and quickened pace.
Within doors he lived mainly in the IL
brarv, and his constant companion, whether
inside the house or strolling about the do
main, was an old hound that had hobbled
into view when he chanced to pass the sta
bles on the afterr Don of his arrival.
"Hello, Bob" he had cried joyously, and
the dog ceased growing and leaped up at
him. In fact, Bob's hoarse yelps of delight
brought out an appreciative groom, who was
manifestly surprised when the two went off
together.
"Queer thing!" said the man to Rice later.
3Old Bob isn't forgivin' sort of beast, an
thought he'd remember the boss pepperln
him with shot the last time he was here
"What was that for?" demanded Rice,
who was beginning to think that the Claude
Waverton of former days was an evil dream
figment of distorted imagination.
well, you see, Bob was a bit spoiled by
one of the keepers who took i'm out, an he
flushed flight of duck the first day he was
tried. The second time Mr.. Claude let
drive at i'm, an he's been lame ever since. !"
Oddly enough, Waverton discovered the
shot marks in Bob's near hind leg next day,
and asked Rice if he could say what caused
| them.
For once the valet was at loss to frame
an answer. Il don't rightly know the facts,
Sir" he stammered. "The dog was shot,
| believe"
Il