Rocky Ford enterprise., 1913-05-02
CHAPTER XXI.
Jimmy Redlvlus.

Jimmy RedIvius.
II the occupants of the old red house
felt over-much inclined to draw a long
breath and rest on their oars after
their anxiety and recent excitement,
Agathas manager was able to supply
a powerful antidote. He was restless
ness incarnate.
He was combining belated summer
holiday with what he considered to be
good business. seeing" not only his
prtIna donna secluded at Ilion. but 9TH
er important people all the way from
Portland to Halifax. When he heard
that the man who ran OF with his rae
ing 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;" 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 rueful smile 81 con-
fess 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're put on in a walk
ing part. eh? Don't they know enough
to go in out OF the rain?" Getting no
reply. to fis fuming. he came down
from his high horse, curiosity impel-
ling. "What'd he kidnap you for-ran-
som?"
mo. 1t 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.
"I 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 l was puzzled" smiled Aga
tina. II thought she was some one l
knew"
'Nonsense!" growled Mr.. Straker.
Anybody with two eyes could see the
difference. She's older. and heavier.
What did the scoundrel want with
herr"
81 don't know. She's a princess or
something"
Mr.. Straker jumped. "She isl" he
cried. Lord. why didn't you tell
me?"
I'm trying to-"
"Advertising!" he shouted joyfully
"Jimminy Christmas! Well make it
up-all this time lost. Princess who? !?
Where from? l guess you do look
like her. after all. 1 see 1t all now
head-lines! Strange confusion of
identity! Which is the princess?'
It'll draw crowds-thousands'
Agatha escaped. leaving Mr. Straker
to collect from others the details of
his advertising story. which he did
with surprising speed and accuracy.
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-naturally 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 combination of the patron and
the bully. 1t was exactly the sort of
manner to precipitate civil war,
though diplomacy might serve to Gov
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
Eiuded by Hand for the space of
twenty-four hours, and finding that
the injury to the car was beyond his
own mechanical skill to repair. Mr..
Straker sent peremptory word to
Charlesnort and tn the Hillside fnr the