The Detroit times., 1912-05-06
CHAPTER XXI.
Jimmy RedlvLous.


Jimmy RedlvTous.
IL the occupants OF the old red
house felt oyer-much inclined TO draw
a long breath and rest on their oars
after their anxiety and recent excite
ment, Agatha's manager was able TO
supply a powerful antidote. He was
restlessness incarnate.
He was combing a belated summer
holiday with what he considered TO be
good business, seeing not only his
prima donna secluded at Ilion, but
other important people all the way
from Portland 10 Halifax. When he
heard that the man who ran on with
his racing-car was also responsible for
the mysterious departure of Miss Red
mond, his excitement was great
You mean TO say that you were
picked up and drugged in broad day
light in New York?e he demanded OF
Agatha.
Practically that"
And you escaped?"
The yacht foundered."
And that scamp walked right into
your hands and you let him go?"
Agatha forced a rueful smile. II
confess I'm not much used TO catching
criminals"
Mr.. Straker paused. lacking words
to express his outraged spirit.
Il don't mean you, of course This
whole outfit here-what are they do
ing? Think they'retput on in a walk
ing part, Ell? Don't they know enough
TO 20 in out OF the rafn7o Getting no
reply to. his tuning, he came down
from his high horse, curiosity i'm
polling. "What'd he kidnap you for
ransom?"
No II seems that he mistook me
for Miss Reynier-the lady out there
on the lawn talking with. Mr.. Van
Camp"
Mr. Straker bent his intent gaze out
Of the window.
Il don't see any resemblance at all. /"
His crusty manner implied that
Agatha, or somebody, was TO blame for
all the coil Of trouble, and should be
made to pay for 1t.
Even was puzzled" smiles Agatha.
Il thought she was some one | knew. I"
Nonsense" growled Mr.. Straker.
Anybody with two eyes could see
the difference. She's older, adm heav-
Ter. What did the scoundrel want with
herr"
Il don't know. She's a princess or
something"
Mr. Sraker jumped "She is" he
cried. Lord, why didn't you tell me?"
I'm trying to-
Advertising" he shouted joyfully.
"Jimminy Christmas, Well make 1t
up-all this time lost. Princess who
I HA "A
her, after all. | see ii all now-head-
lines. Strange confusion Of identity!
Which is the princess?' It'll draw
crowds-thousands."
Agatha escaped, leaving Mr.. Strak-
er TO collect from others the details
OF his advertising story, which he
did with surprising speed and accur.
acy BY the next morning he had
pumped Sallie, Doctor Thayer and
Aleck Van Camp, and had extracted
the promise OF an interview from Miss
Reynier herself.
The only really unsatisfactory sub
ject OF investigation was Mr.. Hand,
whom Straker watched for a day or
two with growing suspicion. Straker
had sputtered, good-naturedly enough,
over the accident to his racing-car,.
and had taken it for granted, in rather
high-handed manner, that Mr.. Hand
was to make repairs. His manner to-
ward the chauffeur was not pleasant,
being a combination of the patron
and the bully. IT was exactly the sort
Of manner to precipitate civil war,
though diplomacy might serve to COW
er the breach for a time.
But the racing-car, ignominiously
towed home by Miss Reynier's white
machine, stood undisturbed in one of
the open carriage sheds by the
church. Eluded by Hand for the
space of twenty-four hours, and find.
ing that the injury to the car was
far beyond his own mechanical skill
to repair, Mr. Straker sent peremp-
tory word to Charlesport and to the
Hillside for the services OF a mechan-
ician, without satisfaction Little ST.
mon thought the matter was beyond
him, but informed Mr.. Straker that,
perhaps, the engineer at the quarry
"a native who had been to Boston"
and qualified as chauffeur-would
come and look at It.
Then for Heavens sake, Colonel,
get him to come and be quick about
It," adjured Mr. Straker. And tell
him for me that there's a long-yel-
low for him If he'll make the thing
right"
He'll charge you two dollars an
hour, including time on the road"
solemnly announced Little Simon, un-
impressed by any mention Of the long.
valiou Had Iittle Simon "liked" he
could probably have mended the car