New-York tribune., 1913-05-25
WILD

there? They know me.
Il suppose I'll have to let you IN, Sir; but
its all very queer and unusual. Follow me.
THE valet turned on the single light IN the
L hall He Immediately began 10 mount
the stairs to the first floor, Haggerty at his
heels. The valet stumbled, and the bundle
slpped from his arm. The wrapping paper
broke and disclosed half a dozen pairs OF
old shoes. Haggerty picked up two pairS'
and the valet gathered up the others lie
eravelv led the detective into a large room.
Haggertv grasped his revolver, then let 60
Of #. qrunting inaudibly What he saw IN
the dim freight was not living people: only
the shells,-rOWS Of mummieS ana mummy
cases called cartonnages. .,,
"Better not turn on the lights, SAID nag
qertv. "The fires enough. These thinS'
give a fellow the chills. -.
The valet deposited the shoes along the
wall. and Haggerty placed his beside them;
Tcvt the valet crossed to the woodbox and
threw on a log. \ blaze started up. =,
"Sit down. Sir. This is Mr.. Crawford S
study"
Haggerty was quite familiar with IT, ou'
only in the daytime -,
You'll excuse me, Sir, till pack thc
shoes. You see, Mr.. Crawford trampS about
a good deal, and likes old shoes because tney
are most comfortable We leave tor Naples
There have been some new excavations at
Herculaneum which MIR. Crawford IS an
Xious 10 see.
~You can pack the shoes when your mas
ter returns" replied Haggerty. The valet
whether he knew anything or not, would be
perfectly justified in warning his master OF
his. Haggerty's, presence. Then genialy' TO
cover the menace Of his words, he added.
"These Of geezcrs might walk out on me II
| was left alone with them.
Mason shrugged. He turned on the low
desk lamp and began 10 arrange the books
and PAPERS on the broad fiat desk. some
he put away in drawers which he locked.
He then put out the light and took the easy
chair bv the fire, his back in hali-view. Here
Haggertv recognized the gentlemans gen
,leman the servant who held himself de-
tached from all affairs that did not concern
his master personally, and considered 1t Ill
bred to converse with strangers OF Hag-
qertv's caliber. II was lean, serious face;
the hand that propped his chin was long and
slender.
TT was half after eleven by Haggerty S
watch: an hour, probably to wait.
There they were. four OF them. and the one
with the door hanging loosely a new one
four safes Of various makes and sizes. What
was the game,
MAY | ask what it is YOU wish TO see Mr..
Crawford about" asked the valet after a
long pause.
Iiai thought Haggerty. He was human
after all. "Oh, he's going 10 give me some
thing for my collection" Haggerty chuck
led. But whats all these safes for;
~ hobby Of Mr.. Crawford's when he's
not at work on his brochures.
His what?"
Ills little books on new discoveries in
Archaeology"
"Ah, What's he do with them"
"Scnds them 70 the various universities
and societies.
"No. no-I mean the safes.
"He opens them. DO YOU know anything
about the French Revolution;
"rvc heard about It, answered Haggcrty
cautiously.
~Wcll. when Louis XVI. wasn't tinkering
with the Revolution he was tinkering with
locks and clocks. II amused him; took his
mind of his cares and troubles. Mr. Craw-
ford finds ike amusement IN buying up old
safes and opening them; cracking them, |
believe. is the vcrnacular. He is remarkably
clever at IT.