The evening world., 1914-03-12
Gro 5As~ NCUCAEON

that he would be master In his own
house.
MY high resolve fiattened itself out
a little after the sound sleep l had.
and ! make no doubt / should have
wavered sadly in my purpose had
not a crisis arisen to shape my calr-
age for mo In q rather emphatic way.
Shortly after breakfast Mrs. Titus
came downstairs very smartly
eowned for tho street. She an
nounced that she was going into the
town for an hour or two and asked
me to have one Of the Schmicks ferry
her across tho river. There wns q
famous antique shop there--memory
OF other days-and she wanted to
browse while In search Of brasses
and bronzes.
I looked at her aghast. I recog-
nized the crisis. but for q moment
was unable to marshal my powers
OF resistance. Noting my consterna-
tion. she calmly assured me that
there wouldn't be tue least danger of
detection, AZ she was going - be
heavily yelled and very cautious.
MY dear Mrs. Titus" I murmured
in my dismay. 1T isn't to be con-
aidered. I am sure you won't persist
in this when I tell you that Tar
nowsy's agents are sure to see you
and
She laughed. "Tarnowsy's agents!
Why should they be here?"
"They seem to be everywhere"
II can assure you there is none
within fifty miles OF Schloss Roth
hoefen. Our men are In tho city. Four
Of them preceded me. This morning
had Mr.. Bangs telephone to the
hotel where the chief operative Is
ataying--in the guise OF an American
for an Englishman, too--and ne as
sures me that there is absolutely no
danger. Even Mr.. Bangs IL salts
fed"
II am forced to say that am by
no means satisfied that II In Q safe
or wise thing to do. Mrs. Titus" l
said, with more firmness than !
thought I possessed.
She raised her delicate eyebrows In
a mostOexasperating. we'll bred. ad-
monitory way.
81 am quite sure. Mr.. Smart. that
Dillingham; is a perfectly trust
worthy detective, and
But why take the slightest risk?'
TT Is necessary for me TO see Dill
bingham, that In the long and short Of
It," she said coldly. zone can't dis
cuss things over a telephone. you
know. Mr.. Bangs understands. And,
by the way. Mr.. Smart. l have taken
the liberty OF calling up the central
ONCE OF the telephone company to
ask n they can run an extension wire
10 my dressing room. hope you do
not mind"
Not in the least. I should have
a 80
you have 20 much to think of.
poor man. And now will you be good
enough to have Hawkes. order the
man to row mo across the
II am very sorry. Mrs. Titus" said
I firmly, hut I fear ] must declare
myself. cannot permit you to 30
into the town to-day"
She was thunderstruck. Are you
In earncst?" she cried, after search
ing my face rather intently for .
"Unhappily. yes. VIII you let me
EXPLAIN
"The ideal" she exclaimed. A. she
drew herself to her full height and
withered me with look OF surpasa-
Ing scorn. Am TO regard myself a.
a prisoner. Mr.. Smartf"
"Oh. I beg Of you. Mrs. ritus"- I
began miserably.
please answer my question"
Her tone cut me like the lash OF q
whip. My choler rose.
II do not choose 10 regard myself
as a taller. My only object In op-
posing this"----
Il have never known anything so
absurd" Two bright rcd spots ap-
peared in her checks, Your atti-
tudc is most extraordinary. However
I shall so to the city this morning.
Mr.. Smart. PRAY give me the credit
OF having sense enough To- All.
Colingraft."
The two sons approached from the
breakfast room. where they had been
enjoying a 10 o'clock chop. Colin
graft. noting his mothers attire, &C
celebrated his speed and was soon be-
side us.
Doing out. Mother?" he inquired,
Kicking the ash from his cigarette.
"If Mr.. Smart will be good enough
10 withdraw his opposition" she said
iciiy.
He I: gave me sharp look Whats
MRS. Titus Doesn't seem to realize