The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1914-02-01
Copyright. 1914,


avenue of tall houses, rich, but largely
empty, that looks like a terrace of
tombs. The very steps up to the dark
front doors seem as steep as the sides
Of pyramids: and one would hesitate
% knock at door, lest it should be
opened by a mummy. But yet more
depressing feature in the gray facade
is its telescope length and changeless
continuity. The pilgrim walking down
it begins to think he will never come to
break or a corner; but there is one
exception very small one. There is
sort of news between two of the tall
mansions. a mere slit like the crack of
a door by comparison with the street,
but just large enough to permit pigniy
alehouse or eating house, still allowed
bv the rich to their stable servants, to
stand m the angle There is something
CHEEKY. in its very ding;ncss, and some
thing free and el6n in its very insignifi-
canoe.
ANY one passing the place on a
certain autumn evening, itself almost
fairylike, might have seen a hand pull
aside the red half blind which (along
with some large white lettering) half
hid the interior from the street, and
face peer out not unlike a rather limo
cent goblin's. 1t was, in fact, the face
of one with the harmless human name
of Brown, formerly priest of Cobhole
in Essex and now working in London.
His friend F1ambcau, a semi-official in
restigator, was sitting opposite him,
making his last notes on case he had
cleared up in the neighborhood. They
were sitting at small table, close up
to the window, when the priest pulled
back the curtain and looked out. He
waited till stranger in the street had
passed the window before he let the
curtain fall into its place again. Then
his round eyes strayed to the next ia
bic, at which sat only sailor with
beer and cheese, and a young girl with
red hair and a glass of milk Then
(seeins his friend put away the pocket
book) he said softly:
IF you've got ten minutes, wish
you'd follow that man with the false
nose"
Flambeau looked up in surprise. But
the girl with the red hair also looked
up, and with something that was
stronger than establishment.
THE man with the false nose" re-
peated Flambeau. who's he?".
Il haven't a notion" answered Father
Brown; Il want you to find out. l ask
it as a favor. He went down there
and he jerked his thumb over his
shoulder in one of his undistinguished
gestures-"and can't have passed three
lsmp-posts yet. / only want to know
the direction"
Flambeau gazed at his friend with
an expression between perplexity and
amusement; and then, rising from the
table, squeezed his huge form out of
the little door of the tavern.
Father Brown took small book out
of his pocket and began to read stead
lily; he betrayed no consciousness of
the fact that the red-haired lady had
left her own table and had sat down
opposite him. At last she leaned over
and said in low. strong voice:
why do you say that? How do
YOU know it's false?'
e He lifted his rather heavy eyelids, |
which futtered in considerable embar-
rassment. His Illuminating eye roved
TO the girls light canvas sleeve, round |
the wrist of which ran a very slight |
thread of artistic pattern-just enough !
10 distinguish it from the working
dress of common woman and make |
it more like the working dress of lady
art student He seemed to find much |
food for thought in this; but his reply |
was very slow and hesitant.
You see, madam he said, from
outside the place looks-well, it is a
perfectly decent place; but ladies like
YOU don't-don't generally think So
They never go into such places from
choice, except"
"Well?" she repeated.
Except an unfortunate few who
don't go in TO drink milk
You are most singular person."
said the young lady. What is your
object in all this"
Not to trouble you about it." he
replied. very gently. Only 70 arm my
self with knowledge enough to help
you. if ever you freely ask my help"
But why should need help"
He continued his monologue: "You
couldn't nave come in because you were
iii. or you'd have spoken to the woman
Of the place, who's obviously respecta-
Die. Besides, you don't look i'll, only
unhappy. This street is the only orig
inal long lane that has no turning: and
the houses ON both sides are sb,,. so |