The Washington herald., 1913-08-03

diminishing glass lying on the floor be-
meath the picture. As the strange little
fellow turned quickly with the slyness OF
a cat and looked around the room TO
make sure that he was not observed. Poe
glanced innocently at a picture and STOOD
in a tremor OF expectation.
Evidently assured that he was perfectly
safe the short man approached the pic
ture and began to advance his feet toward
the diminishing glass on the floor. His
manner was SO wary that Poe became
convinced that he must be the thief he
sought As he watched he saw the broad
toe OF the mans shoe touch the glass,
pass it and suddenly shove 1t toward the
railing In q flash the man stopped.
picked UP the glass and slipped 1t into his
pocket. Then he sauntered into the mid
die of the room and unconsciously began
cropping for the diminisher. Christoper
Poe turned abruptly away for fear Of
frightening his quarry. looked at his
watch, found II was almost o'clock. ami
walked rapidly to Sir Arthur Hornsby's
ONCE.
We'll" queried the director Of art,
have you learned anything?'
Yes, a little. Have found the fellow
who changed the picture. But I really
can't believe that he has stolen II. /
have got to get to that directors meeting
now. and I think the best thing We can
do Is for you TO get somebody in the Of
fee here some one who has had a little
experiencing at shadowing. to follow our
man when he gets through looking at the
picture. There is no doubt that he
is an artist, and he looks like mild little
vegetarian who wouldn't harm a fly.
Have you such q person in the Officer
Yes. I'll send somebody in there at
nd 7 ha door
cap point out your artist"
First instruct the man you send to
shadow him to follow him no further
than his home. but have him make sure
where the artist lives: then give him my
phone number and tell him to call me up
Immediately. I'll attend to the rest and
keep you posted. You'll be in the office
until o'clock, I presumed"
Yes, and after that I'll be at bone. I
am anxiously awaiting any news you can
give me-"
II have found nothing yet but a clue
and 4 connoisseur," smiled christopher
Poe. shaking his friends hand and leav-
ing the room.
Hailing a Fifth Avenue bus he mounted
to the top and rode as far as Thirty-fifth
Street, where he got down and leisurely
strolled to a large banking institution of
which he was a director. For over an
hour he sat in consultation with a group
of tine shrewdest financiers. having utterly
dismissed from his mind all thought Of
the stolen masterpiece.
When the meeting was over he turned
again to his thoughts of the picture and
called up his apartment. where his man
informed him that no telephone message
had been received. Poe then walked down
Fifth avenue to Eighteenth Street, where
he entered the fascinating shop of Spoods
He bowed to the dealer and asked idly:
Have you anything new Of the British
SCHOOL,"
only some Whistler etchings. q newly
found Reynolds portrait. that Gainsbor-
ough you have seen. I guess; that's all.
Were you looking for anything in partic-
ular?' asked Spoods.
NO. haven's any idea Of buying. l
only wanted to look around"
Spoods, a sprightly little man who at
fected a very French manner. conducted
Christopher. Poe through his gallery and
pointed out with pride his newest acqui-
sition.
Il think I would buy Turner" re-
marked Poe casually. that is, IL could
find a real bargain
Il haven't had one in the shop since