Metropolis weekly gazette. (Metropolis, Ill.) 1???-19??, 1914-03-06
BELOW THE STAIRS
What the Butter Heard Through
the Broken Furnace Pipe
in the Cellar.
BY WILL A PAGE.


the other side of the kitchen table.
Mortimer. the coachman. was mend
Ing his whip.
The daring robbers then bundled
up their booty and decamped." the
pompous butler read very loudly,
leaving the detective officers baf-
tied without clew. AS there was
no evidence that the doors had been
forced or locks tempered with, the
detectives were at first inclined TO sus-
pect the servants; but, as Mr.. Wal
colt declared he had the utmost faith
IN them, the police were not allowed to
search their rooms
Mortimer. obvious of the newspaper
item, did not reply when Evans stop
ped reading. as though expecting some
comment.
I say, Mortimer, old chap, that ism /
such bad haul, is it? The paper says
they got away with $4,000 worth Of
silver"
bad haul?" queried Mortimer.
What are you talking about?"
Talking about?" repeated Evans,
disgustedly.
Why, what else should be talking
about but the big robbery down
the street at old man Walcott's
house."
"oh. rw sorry. I didn't know
you were reading. anything of impor-
lance
= should say it was OF Importance.
AS the servants there are suspected.
that naturally places US in an awk-
ward position"
What do you mean?"
Aren't we all servants? And II one
of the fashionable families takes up
fad, don't all the other fashionable
families follow suit?
Nonsense, Evans. You're an old
fool"
Il tell you" persisted Evans. that
If the Walcott servants are suspected
of dishonesty, the servants Of every
fashionable family in the city viii
have to clear their characters"
Why, we are well known to the
missus. have been with her six
years, yet you dare and Mortimer
rose fiourishing his whip.
Il don't mean YOU" sneered Evans.
It's Miss Charlotte who is moro likely
to be suspected
Mortimer resisted the inclination to
strike the fellow, though ne was
strongly tempted. The door bell sound
ed then. Evans, with muttered i'm
precation. rushed to a small mirror
hanging on the kitchen wall, primp-
ed himself and disappeared, bowling
deliberately TO Charlotte, the maid
newly come to service, who happened
to be entering the kitchen at that par
ticular moment
Now, then, you stupid broke In
Charlotte. you almost made me drop
the chinaware."
Charlotte bowed, without speaking
TO Mortimer, who commenced to mend
the whip with redoubIed anxiety. She
busted herself at the gas stove making
chocolate, and neither spoke a word
for several moments. Then Evans
broke in hurriedIy upon them
It's a detective" he cried, rushing
acrose the room toward the door
which led into the front basement, Il
seen II, on the card he sent up 70 the
missus. A. L. Walker, Detective
Headquarters that's what the card
said" He opened the door into the
basement
But what does ne want?' inquired
Charlotte.
That's just what I'm going to find
Sout. There's furnace pipe In there
that is loose. and 1t opens right un-
der where the detective is sitting. l
can hear every word" And he disap-
peared into the cellar.
I'm afraid Mr.. Evans is not trou-
bled by scruples, Mr. Mortimer" said
Charlotte, turning to the gas stove
again. II always thought buffers a
bad lot"
I'm glad you think So" began
Mortimer.
Why. Mr.. Mortimer, what do you
mean?"
"Of course one cant be jealous of
q butler" broke In Mortimer. dropping
the whip.
Jealous? Well. I like that" With
a toss OF the head.
Perhaps I shouldn't say jealous, .
continued Mortimer abashed. But.
you see. wanted to ask you
''WeIl?H
If you'd spend your next evening
out with me, unless you have some
other engagement"
Next week, on Thursday" aaid
Charlotte coquettishly NO. don't
think I have anything on my card
Then I'll put you down for next
Thursday, Miss Charlotte. Thanks
did you say 1t was for the grand
opera, Mr.. Mortimer"
mo, Miss Charlotte For the coach
mems ball.
THE coachmen's ball7s' repeated
Charlotte enthusiastically. "0h, how
Jolly. I've always wanted to go to
a coachman's ball. lists rather ex-