Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-02-22

"The stenoorapher Did H.,
Don't can me Little NemoI' beloved
'he world greatest authority on crime
Well, as an authority on crime" in
terposed Mr.. Christopher with simple
craft. have you formed an opinion about
this mysterious affair at the Hotel Beau
monte"
Nothing mysterious about that" growl
ed the expert, but without his wonted
venom. Like most men of his type he
was as open to flattery as a child 1T
may be to you and lot of pin-headed
detectives. They'll go off burning up
money and shoe leather to find those for
eigners that called on Morton The one
they want to find is. the stenographer
What's her name? Mary-Mary Had
Had =
Mary had little lamb, suggested
Howell
mo, no. returned the distinguished
authority, seriously. ''Weh. whatever her
name is-it isn't her namen'
There you are!' exclaimed Howell, adj
miringly simple as A B CT
you think the stenographer commit
ted the crime" asked Mr.. Christopher,
hastily
81 know she did" declared Mr.. Claw
ering.
What motive could she have had in
| killing her employer" inquired Mr. Chris
| topher, beginning to be really interested.
"Oh, ha, What was her motive?'
| chuckled Mr.. Clavering scornfully. That's
where they all fall downfall except me-!
1 go right to the motive-she was there
to spy on him, to get information.
How do you know that?'' asked the
other ,
! How do I know it?" snorted Mr. Cla-
vering. Because I've got little common
sense. The desk was broken open and
all of his papers missing"
1.-THE Scarlet Band"
Couldn't these foreigners have taken
| them?" objected Mr.. Christopher
Yes, they could have, but they didnt,"
retorted Mr.. Clavering 1.-THE elevator
| boy saw the man leave about 5 o'clock
| and happened to know that the woman
left before the murder "Fa! Hal" he
chuckled, noting the look of interest on
Howell's face. '"rhe police didn't find
that out, but | did! No, sir. Those for
eigners were friends of his-Italian or
| Spanish friends! No one knows who the
man was-a Mr.. Norton in the cutlery
business!' he grunted CONTEMPORARY
| "Morton!-thats an English or American
| name-but did you ever hear of an Eng
| lishman or an American wearing ear
rings?'
"Earrings!" exclaimed Mr.. Christopher,
vehemently. 81 examined the lobes of his
ears and theresa faint you could hardly
see them-were the scars of old earrings
| holes. All! All! Morton nothing! He
was an Italian or a. Spaniard a member
Of some cunning gang-the Scarlet Band,
maybe. 1 don't know yet-but 1 will!'
Hear, heart" exclaimed Howell. 1.-THE
Scarlet Bandp'
Yes. the Scarlet Band! suppose, {"
snarled the author, that you're one of
these smart Alexis that think that Scar
let Bands myth"
"Oh, no, / don't" returned Howell,
tsmiling j. ii-t--
We'll, it's mott" snapped Mr.. clavering.
| Il can tell you that. I've written four
stories on the Scarlet Band-Aevery one of
| EN- based on fact. Have you seen this
afternoons paper?" he demanded. clutch
ing it off the table, where Mr.. Shipman
had laid it. " Conspiracy to kill Holt!
Assistant district attorney receives
threatening letter from the Scarlet Bandr
Holt! Huh! There's another Mr..
Know-It-AIl. l went to his office about
he could catch those fellows-and offered
| to help him, too, for nothing! But do
| you suppose he would listen to me? No!
He laughed at me-insulted me! I'll get
even with him-Ha! If those fellows got
| him, that would square the account
wouldn't it?"
But Mr. Clavering." edged in the SUI
perintendent, with the air of one anxious
I return n mi
this murder at the Hotel Beaumont this
| afternoon. Why did this stenographer
have to kill the man? Wasn't that TAX
ing pretty big chance to get some in.
| formation?"
"cafe Rossamano."
i don't think she intended to kill him. -
replied Mr.. Clavering, instantly.
| you don't?"
mo-
why not?' ventured Mr.. Christopher
ION account of the telephone" replied
the noted authority in the manner of a
man explaining to a particularly stupid
child. THE desk telephone was on the
| floor when the man was found and I
| learned from central that at five-thirty
Morton called up the Cafe Rossamano on
this private wire"
| "Cafe Rossamano." exclaimed How
ELL with a start, and as his brain whired
rapidly he caught his breath. why"
His lips closed down suddenly and he
tried to look unconcerned.
"What?" snapped Mr. Clavering
Nothing" Howell assured him hastily.
"Wen, a man that interrupts a CONVEX
sation with nothing is HI of an addi-
| ton to an argument" Mr., Clavering told
him. "Now-"
"Mr Clavering called Miss Towne
from the door, Miss Baker will see you
| 4i..,,