Mountain advocate., 1914-02-27
.Gettins tlred?o she asked.


was thinking Of? You make me won
der II there amt something in your
mediumshlp."
Well" said Rosalie. When you're
left an orphan at twelve-there amt
much choice. Professor Vango adopt
ed me--my mother was in his circle.
Old fake, But he had mediumship.
too: an he thought an thought, he
brought somethin' out of me. Anyhow.
| saw things SO became a medium.
like you became a cop--bocause it hap
pened that Nay Sometimes" added
Resale. drawing all sting from her
words by a fash of her dimples, 81
think you're awful stupid, Martin Nc
Gee, an sometimes | think you're a
wonder. It's generally according to
whether or no you agree with me. As
you mostly do, | generally call you
wonder. An you've got get-there be-
sides. Slow, but you do get there"
This bit of conversation fulfilled Ro-
sales purpose. 1t turned the sub
jcct from herself 70 Inspector McGees
self: and she knew from a life OF ex-
perience that no man lives who can re-
sist that lure
How do you feel about me today
he asked with heavy male coquetry.
Il haven't made up my mind today"
she said. but it's veerin' toward the
stupid" She crossed the room and
fumbled with the catch Of the south
window. He rose heavily to help her.
NO, thank you!" she said mo,
thank you. want to look over this
fire escape. I'm that old can't go up
notes.-the. It's enough to have the
stenographers rubberin' from these
windows. without you"
However. she managed with sur
passing lightness the step from the
tonishing grace the ascent. She
threaded 1t to its top, viewing il all in
a general way. Then she stopped, ma.
king a picture Of herself as she bal.
anced on the landing, and pulled out a
wire hairpin. This universal nipple
ment Of the sex she twisted to suit
her purpose, and began a slow descent,
picking at the interstices of the iron.
So she worked downward nearly one
flight before she came to a cake of
dirt in corner OF the iron steps. She
brushed II away and discovered little
irregularity in the metal. She picked
at this with her twisted hairpin. It
proved to be loop OF steel, somewhat
spotted, but still bright. She hooked
the pin into the loop, and pulled Some
thing gave way. Out OF a very small
hollow in the iron step, which seemed
like a bubble left In the process Of
casting, came a little hard ball. She
rubbed it with her hands, and polished
II with her handkerchief.
1t was a red shoe button.
Resale fingered ii, and glanced up
ward, musing. Above the iron stair
way ran straight to the windows of the
1 lumber room. And that was the only
window from which it could have fall.
en- in such fashion as to strike the fire
escape. She knew from Mrs. Moore
/ that this room had been used Cor stor-
age during all of the last year. II a
/ previous tenant dropped II. the lac
/ quer would be gone or tarnisted by
! now. The other windows on the fourth
floor were cut off from view OF the fire
escape by an irregularity of the wall.
| From those windows, one could scarce
ly have thrown the button and hit that
spot on the fire escape-"let Mone
droppin' 1t" thought Resale.
Rosalie wrapped the button in her
handkerchief and continued her search.
Nothing heavier than straws and
scraps Of paper.
We'll, you never cal tell" she said
TO herself as she Strengthened NO or
the landing before Captain Hanskas
window; let's see-who in my house
ever wears
She stopped all motion here: and
since there was no need for conceal
ment her face showed the shock
which she felt. Her eyes widened;
her Jaw dropped.
"Um.hum!' she buZZed with the 'Dne
OF one who gathers the strcws of GUS
piciOn into sheaf OF fact
"Um-hum!"
/ And Just then the voice OF inspector
MCGEE doomed from within.
Pretty near through" he asked.
Much as ! want" replied Resale
voice and face falling at once Into IN
difference rs there a place To wash
In this house? Water amt turhed on
yet? All right"
When, ten minutes later, she ~
turned from the lavatory, marvelousli
freshened In appearance. the inspoeto'
awaited her in the lower hall.
II may be wanting to come again,
she said. will you let the cops know
We'll, how do I stack today?" asked
Martin Niece, smart or stupidr'
kind Of between" jabbed Resale
but edgin toward stupid still" She
smiled again over Der shoulder; a dim
/ Die played and then another: a lock
of hair fell from its fastening over her
cheek
And suddenly something happened
I -.