Putnam patriot., 1914-11-06
What has James to do with it?-

n little way be has. You see. he thought when things began to hide themselves surreptitiously about the house-he thought-that is. he believed-he feared there might be thief in the house"
 "Well?" questioned Mrs Carr pitt. lessly.
 And, you see" stumbled on poos Cluney. his thinking that made me think that l. Oh. deuce take it! Doc gan. you tell them"
 ''Go on. You're doing fner' encour. aged Doogan.
 "AmIT'
 Sure! never heard anything clearer"
 All right. then; I'll go ahead with it" said Cluney. You see. Mrs. Carr, it's like this: MT. Doogan Is not really friend. He's more of a guest No, he's not exactly guest He's more of a friend. No, that isn't quite what l mean. either. You see, asked him here to the wedding. and-well, here he is.''
 James Cluney, having got thus far. wiped his hot face with his handker- chief and puffed exhaustedly.
 What has all that to do with Dr. Willoughby being at our safe?" asked Mrs. Carr.
 ''Ah. that's just what I am getting at," answered James Cluney feverish. ly. Hes a detective"
 "Dr Willoughby a detective" ex. claimed Mrs Carr in astonishment
 No mo- Mir. Doogan. He's a de tective," corrected Cluney.
 "Herem burst out Mir. Carr indig nantly. Whats a detective doing iu my house?"
 Hes here to watch me-" began Gu. ney. Then. hastily correcting himself No, l mean to watch--to watch"-
 Watch what? Watch whom?" in sisted Mrs. Carr.
 Aha, That's it." cried Cluney. That's what we want to know.'
 And. now that he is here. what is be going to do?" asked William Carr.
 If you put it up to me, I propose that we close up the joint" said Jack Doogan airily.
 "Joint?" echoed Mrs. Carr. mystifed.
 "I mean-er-house. said Doogan. coughing slightly. Close up the house and not allow any one to come in until we have hunted all through it for the stuff you've missed.
 There you are" assented Cluney, relieved that some proposition had been made That's the thing to do."
 "I am still in the dark as to what you were doing at that safe" said Mrs Carr, coming back to the old sore subject, which made Cluney and Dr. Willoughby both vince.
 There was q diversion at this june ture when Nell glided into the room and beckoned to pr Willoughby.
 Excuse me, Dr. Willoughby. There's an automobile at the door for you. sir. The gentleman said you should hurry. sir"
 ''Who Is it?"
 He said to tell you 1t was on the way-that you'd understand"
 Good Lord" ejaculated Willoughby, "the baby I've got to go Remember. Doogan. the case is entirely in your hands,
 Leave it to me. Leave it to mel was Doogan's reassuring response as the door banged behind the doctor.
 That's all very we'll" observed James Cluney. dismayed. But what about the wedding? We haven't any best man now.
 Madge went over to Cluney and rest ed her head against his shoulder. re- gardless of what it did to her carefully dressed hair.
 .'oh. Jamesm she murmured. ''This is terribIe!"
 "Mother. motherg' whispered Will liam Carr to his wife. Why does that detective keep looking at meE'
 ..Is be looking at you now:' she whis- pered back.
 Yes"
 "Oh. Lordv' groaned Mrs. Carr.
 Wait d minute!" called out Doogan sharply to Nell. who was slipping out of the room. And you, too. Mi. CarrF as the old gentleman was trying to get away through another door. Il don't want any one to leave this room until have said few things
 James Cluney moved unobtrusively over to Doogah's side. so that he eouid say to that extremely active gentleman without being overheard:
 What are you going to dor
 ..Husbr' was all that Doogan replied Then. turning to the others. he sald lh n ioua official tone: Ladies and gen tIemen. if I am to take charge Of this ease let's be perfectly honest with each other. Tel ne exactly what IS mss ing"
 He took a pad and pencil from his pocket and made a great show Of wnt- in. down the items with exactitude
 Well" began Joan. ~ali the wedding presents are gone.
 .AIl the wedding presents, repeateo Dooean. writing it down on his pau,
 No. no.s interrupted Caroline The bracelet was found.
 Mir. and Mrs. Carr shook their heaus and frowned to keep her quiet bul II was too late. and Doosan asAea' .Where was the bracelet founa9
 ..you put it in the old mans pocket vaurself.- whispered Cluney- :,
 ..I know. shut ups" softly growieu rooean ere he repeated aloud us ,,,astion Where was the bracelet foundf' ,h.
 we found the bracelet on me stairs.s answered Mrs Carr Nlth o's nity-