The Washington herald., 1914-04-05

He accepted. the compliment with
little smile.
"Now, madam, am ready" He tool
out a notebook. Compose yourself, i
you please"
She faltered. looking pitiably helples
for such big woman:
Il was hard up, Mr.. Enfield, as 20,
surmise Great Fish cut off my allow
ance, | owed large bills, couldn't hav,
all English society laughing at me if i
became public talk. | arranged with :
dealer in Manchester o buy the plat'
at three-quarter value, he supplying ;
good imitation. He is a man of great
resource, and in a larger way of bust,
ness than many London dealers. He
knew if he could get the plate across
quietly, that he would make big money
over it in America. He came up with
an expert when Great Fish was away
and they made an absolute sure investi-
CATION. They sent the faxed stuff to
me in two great trunks labeled books.
When it was done, and had changed
it for the real, sent back the trunks
labeled books again. 1t was all as
easy as easy. Great Fish is a busy
man. I'm a busy woman. He don't
take notice of what l do. The servants
are busy What's box or two OF books
sent and returned? You see?"
The detective made few brief notes.
Under what conditions did you sell
the plate, madam"
That it wasn't to be resold for year
not while the search was on. He
agreed with me there. And that it was
then to be sold separately, as precau-
ton"
so that the collection intact is still
with that Manchester dealer on agree
ment:"
"On agreement it IS"
Il must trouble you for the dealers
name and address"
She gave it, narrowed by fear, shak-
ing with nerves, streaked with tears.
The great Enfield rose, thanked her, and
impressed upon her the advisability, for
her own sake, of keeping that visit and
its import locked within her breast.
Not a word" she declared between
gasps. Not a word. take you, Mr..
Enfield. Not word"
The detective left the house and walk
ed on briskly. Here and there at street
corners he heard the strike discussed.
He had other business. though. He took
the night express that thundered north,
and slept peacefully on the way. as a
man arduously tasked allows himself
pleasant rest when he has seen his work
progressing well. The following morn
ing he found himself in that great busi-
ness city for which he was bound. He
bathed. shaved. and breakfasted at the
hotel close to the terminus. then drove
straight to the chief superintendent of
police, who did not know him by sight,
but who did not keep him waiting on
receiving his name.
You are Enfeld:"
YES. OF Scotland Yard"
The chief superintendent shook the
visitors hand. 81 have heard of you.
of course. in connection with he
mentioned several notorious cases-"and
your photograph is there" He indicated
a locked desk. 81 should have known
you. What can We do for you, Mr.. En-
field"
81 am here about the Great Fish COL
lection OF antique gold plate"
"Ah?"
1t is in Manchester, in the possession
of -" He gave the name and ad-
dress furnished by Great" Fish's wife.
You are sure?' said the superintend-
ent.
MY dear sir!'
The detective laughed contempt and
confidence
"Well?" asked the chief superintcnd-
ent.
81 want couple OF officers and war
rant to search the premises, and a war
rant of arrest if we find the plate. This
is one of the biggest cases financially
that Scotland Yard has ever dealt with.
The superintendent nodded. 81 shall
be happy to oblige you, Mr.. Enfield"
said he.
1t was half an hour later when the
great detective and a couple of police
officers entered that dealers premises,
and they struck the fear of man and the
law into him. He stormed, he cajoled, .
he denied. The gray sleuth hound
would take no denial; he was on the !
scent, hot and unerring. The exhaus-
tive search yielded up at length the fin
est collection of antique gold plate in
he world. The dealer, vociferations
,ilenced, was arrested.
Enfield, quiet triumph showing through .
he demeanor of sphinx, ordered:
Call two taxis."
They waited, purrinp. at the door,