The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1914-12-10
nothing. She claims to be a cousin Of

Jul iuOluer. P0rnapS.
My mother?" Without waiting for
any further advice from Jones, whom
Florence in her young years thought
presuming upon his authority, she ran
downstairs to the library. Her mother,
TO learn some fact about the mother
OF whom she knew nothing!
You knew my mother?" she cried
without ceremony.
He heard the princess say: 81 did,
my child; and heaven is witness that
you are the exact picture of her at
your age. And knew your father"
Jones Strengthened, his hands shut
tightly.
Tell me about my father"
The princess smiled. 1t was Katrina
Pushkin come to life. the same impul-
siveness. Il knew him but slightly.
was mere child myself when he used
to pinch my cheeks. I met him again
the other night, but he did not recog-
nize me; and I could not find 1t in my
heart to awaken his memory In pub
lie restaurant"
Presently Jones came in to an
nounce that two detectives requested
TO see Florence. The two men en-
tered, informing her that they had
been instructed to investigate the dis
appearance Of Stanley Hargreave.
WHO are you, miss?"
Il am his daughter"
"Ah!"
One of the detectives questioned
Florence infinitely while the other
wandered about the rooms, feeling the
walls, using the magnifying glass,
turning back the rugs. Even the
girls pretty room did not escape his
scrutiny. BY and by he returned to
the library and beckoned to his COM
panion. The two conferred for a mo-
ment. One CHANGED to look into the
mirror. He saw the bright eyes of
the princess gazing intelligently into
his.
I'm afraid we'll have to ask you to
accompany us to the station. miss"
"Why?"
Some technicalities. We must have
some proof of your right to be in
this house. So far as we have learned,
Hargreave was unmarried. It will
take but few minutes"
"And l will accompany you," said
the princess. We'll be back within
half an hour. I'll tell them what I
know"
Jones, in the hall, caught sight Of
the reporter coming up the steps.
Here was some one he could depend
upon.
why. Mr.. Norton!"
The reporter eyed the princess In
amazement.
"You look surprised. Naturally. I
am cousin of Miss Florence's moth
er. You might say that I am her
aunt. It's small world. isn't it," But
IL wishing could poison. the reporter
would have died that moment
"Who are you and what are you
doing here?" one of the detectives de-
manded.
II am going to ask that very ques-
ton of YOU" said Norton urbanely.
I'VE are from headquarters" replied
one, showing his badge.
what headquarters? What are
they asking you to dog" he said to
Florence.
"They say l must 60 to the police
station with them"
mot the least in the world" laughed
the reporter. "You two clear out of
here as fast as your rascally legs can
carry you. / don't know what your
game is, but l do know every repu-
table detective In New York. and you
don't belong"
Good heavens!" exclaimed the
princess; do you mean to say that
these men are not real detectives?"
"This girl goes to the police station.
young man. So much the worse for.
you II you NEEDLE. Take yourself OIL"
"All In good time"
"Here. Jenner. you take charge Of
the girl. I'll handle this guy. He
shall go to the station. too"
What followed would always be Wv
idly remembered by Florence, fresh.
from the peace and happiness Of her
school life. Norton knocked his oppo-
nent down. He rose and for . moment
the room seemed full Of legs and arms
and painting men. A foot tripped up
Norton and he went down under the
bogus detective. He never suspected
that the tripping foot was not acci-
dental. He was too busy.
The other man dragged Florence
toward the hall, but thaee the peaceful
cutler entered into the held Of action
with a very unattractive automatic.
The detective threw up his hands.
The struggle went on in the library.
A trick Of jiu-jitsu brought about the
downfall of Norton's man, and Norton
ran out into the hall to aid Jones. He
searched the detectives pockets and
secured the revolver. The result OF
all this was that the two bogus de-
tectives soon found themselves in
charge of two policemen. and they
were marched OF to the station.
"Your advent was most providential.
Mr.. Norton" said Jones in his usual
colorIeSa tones