The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1914-02-27
Getting tired?" she asked.

Being a medium, you mean?"
Yes. The word was out OF his lips
before wonder entered his mind
Now, how did you get that-what
was thinking of? You make me won
der II there amt something in your
mediumship."
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.
ike you became cop-because il hap
pened that way. Sometimes" added
Rosalie. drawing all sting from her
words by flash OF her dimples, II
think you're awful stupid, Martin Nc
Gee, an sometimes / think you're
wonder. It's generally according TO
whether or no you agree with me. AS
you mostly do. generally call you a
wonder. An you've got get-there be-
sides. Slow, but you do get there"
This bit OF conversation fulfilled Ro-
sales purpose. II turned the sub
ject from herself to Inspector McGee's
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.
mo, thank you!" she said. mo.
thank you. | want to look over this
fire escape. I'm that old can't go up
modest-like. It's enough TO have the
stenographers rubberin' from these
windows. without you"
However she managed with sur
passing lightness the step from the
window to the iron stairway, with as
tonishing grace the ascent. She
threaded 1t to its top viewing it all in
general way. Then she stopped, ma
king picture OF herself as she bal.
anced on the landing, and pulled out a
wire hairpin. This universal imple-
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 it away and discovered a little
irregularity in the metal. She picked
at this with her twisted hairpin. II
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 ii with her hands, and polished
It with her handkerchief.
1t was a red shoe button.
Rosalie fingered II, and glanced up
ward, musing. Above. the iron stair
way ran straight TO the windows of the
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 for stor.
age during all Of the last year. II a
previous tenant dropped t. the lac.
quer would be gone or tarnished 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
Gnnf tho fro
droppin' IT," thought Rosalie.
Rosalie wrapped the button in her
handkerchief and continued her search
Nothing heavier than straws and
scraps of paper
We'll, you never can tell" she said
to herself as she Strengthened up on
the landing before Captain Hanska's
lets 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 tone
'f one who gathers the straws OF sus-
picion into sheaf OF fact.
'Um-humi"
And just then the voice of Inspector
hcGee doomed from within.
Pretty near through" he asked.
Much as ] want" replied Rosalie.
'oice and face falling at once into in.
Inference. is there a place TO wash
n this house? Water amt turned of
ret? All right"
When. ten minutes later, she re-
urned from the lavatory, marvelously
reshened in appearance, the inspector
waited her in the lower hall
Il may be wanting to come again."
he said. "Will you let the cops know?" ,
Well, how do | stack today?" asked
iartin McGee, smart or stupid?" 6
Kind OF between" jabbed Rosalie. {
but edgin toward stupid still" She
miled again over her shoulder; a dim. 8
lie played and then another; a lock :
Z hair fell from It's fastening over her :
heck
And suddenly something happened. q
~rbfrh |