Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1914-03-21
BELOW THE STAIRS
What the Butler Heard Through
the Broken Furnace Pipe
in the Cellar.
BY WILL A. PAGE.


the other side of the kitchen table.
Mortimer, the coachman, was mend
ing his whip.
The daring robbers then bundled
up their booty and decamped,' the
pompous butler read very loudly,
leaving the detective officers baf
| fled without a clew. AS there was
no evidence that the doors had been
forced or locks tempered with, the
detectives were at first inclined to sus-
pect the servants; but, as Mr.. Wal
colt declared he had the utmost faith
in them. the police were not allowed to
search their rooms"
Mortimer, obvious of the newspaper
item. did not reply when Evans stop
ped reading, as though expecting some
comment
Il say. Mortimer, old chap, that isn't
such bad haul is it? The paper says
they got away with $4,000 worth of
silver"
Bad haul?' queried Mortimer.
What are you talking about?'
Talking about?" repeated Evans.
disgustedly.
Why, what else should l be talking
about but the big robbery down
house."
oh, I'm sorry. l didn't know
you were reading anything of impor-
tance."
Il should say it was of importance.
AS the servants there are suspected,
that naturally places us in an awk-
ward position"
What do you mean?"
Aren't we all servants? And If one
of the fashionable families takes up
fad, don't all the other fashionable
families follow suit?"
fool"
Il tell you," persisted Evans, that
If the Walcott servants are suspected
of dishonesty, the servants of every
fashionable family in the city will
have to clear their characters"
why, we are well known to the
missus. l have been with her six
years, yet you dare" and Mortimer
rose flourishing his whip.
II don't mean you," sneered Evans.
It's Miss Charlotte who is more likely
to be suspected"
Mortimer resisted the inclination to
strike the fellow, though he was
strongly tempted. The door bell sound
ed then. Evans, with a muttered i'm
precation, rushed to a. small mirror
hanging on the kitchen wall, primp-
ed himself and disappeared. bowling
deliberately to Charlotte, the maid
newly come to service, who happened
to be entering the kitchen at that par
ticular moment
Now. then, you stupid" broke in
Charlotte. you almost made me drop
the chinaware"
Charlotte bowed. without speaking
to Mortimer, who commenced to mend
the whip with redoubled anxiety. She
busted herself at the gas stove making
chocolate, and neither spoke a word
for several moments. Then Evans
broke in hurriedly upon them.
Its detective" he cried, rushing
across the room toward the door
which led into the front basement. 81
seen it on the card he sent up to the
missus. "A L. Walker, Detective
Headquarters, that's what the card
said" He opened the door into the
basement
But what does he want?" inquired
Charlotte.
That's just what I'm going to find
out There's furnace pipe in there
that is loose, and it opens right un-
der where the detective is sitting.
can hear every word" And he disap-
peared into the cellar.
I'm afraid Mr.. Evans Is not trou-
bled by scruples, Mr.. Mortimer" said
Charlotte. turning to the gas stove
again. II always thought buffers a
bad lot"
I'm glad you think So" began
Mortimer.
why. Mr.. Mortimer. what do you
mean?"
"Of course one can't be jealous of
butler" broke in Mortimer, dropping
the whip.
Jealous? Well, like that" With
toss of the head.
Perhaps l shouldn't say jealous"
continued Mortimer abashed. "But,
you see, wanted to ask you"
"Well?"
IF you'd spend your next evening
out with me, unless you have some
other engagement"
Next week, on Thursday" said
Charlotte coquettishly. mo, l don't
think have anything on my card"
Then I'll put you down for next
Thursday. Miss Charlotte. Thanks."
did you say it was for the grand
opera, Mr.. Mortimer"
mo, Miss Charlotte. For the coach
mems ball"
THE coachmen's ball?" repeated
Charlotte enthusiastically. "Oh, how