Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1914-07-03

WHO is she?" asked Florence as she
looked at the card. did my father know
princesses?"
EYES," said Jones briefly. "Be very care
full what you say to her. Admit nothing. She
claims to be a cousin of your mother. Per-
haps."
my mother?" Without waiting for any
further advice from Jones, whom Florence In
her young years thought presuming upon his
authority, she ran downstairs to the library.
Her mother, to learn some fact about the
mother of whom she knew nothing!
"You knew my mother?" she cried without
ceremony.
He heard the princess say: ct did, my
child and heaven is witness that you are the
exact picture of her at your age. And I knew
your father"
Jones Strengthened, his hands shut tightly.
"Tell me about my father!"
The princess smiled. 1t was Katrina Push
kin come to life, the same impulsiveness.
Il knew him but slightly. I was a mere child
myself when he used to pinch my cheeks. I
met him again the other night, but he did
not recognize me; and I could not find 1t In
my heart to awaken his memory in a public
restaurant"
Presently Jones came in to announce that
two detectives requested to see Florence. The
two men entered, informing her that they had
been instructed to investigate the disappear
ance of Stanley Hargreave.
"Who are you, miss?"
"I am his daughter"
"Ah!"
One of the detectives questioned Florence
infinitely while the other wandered about the
rooms, feeling the walls, using the magnifying
glass, turning back the rugs. Even the girls
pretty room did not escape his scrutiny. BY
and BY he returned to the library and beck
oned to his companion. The two conferred
for a moment. One CHANGED to look into the
mirror. He saw the bright eyes of the prin-
cess gazing intelligently into his.
"I'm afraid we'll have to ask you to &C.
company us to the station, miss.
"Why?"
Some technicalities. We must have some
proof of your right to be in this house. So
far as We have learned, Hargreave was un-
married. 1t will take but a few minutes"
"And I will accompany you,' said the
princess. "WeTl be back within half an hour.
I'll tell them what I know"
Jones, in the hall, caught sight of the re-
porter coming up the steps. Here was some
one he could depend upon.
"Why, Mr.. Norton!"
The reporter eyed the princess In amaze
ment.
You look surprised. Naturally. 1 am a
cousin of Miss Florence's mother. You might
say that I am her aunt. It's a small world,
isn't it?" But if wishing could poison, the
reporter would have died that moment.
"Who are you and what are you doing
here2" one of the detectives demanded.
81 am going to ask that very question Of
you," said Norton, urbanely.
ave are from headquarters" replied one,
showing his badge.
"What headquarters? What are they ask
ing you to do?" he said to Florence.
"They say I must go to the police station
with them"
Not the least in the world" laughed the
reporter. you two clear out of here as fast
as your r~ascally legs can carry you. l don't
know what your game is, but 1 do know every
reputable detective in New York, and you
don't belong"
GOOD heavens " exclaimed the princess;
do you mean to say that these men are not
real detectives?"
"This girl goes to the police station, young
man. So much the worse for you II you
NEEDLE. Take yourself off /!
"Al in good time"
Here, Jenner, you take charge of the girl.
I'll handle this guy. He shall go to the sta
ton, too"
What followed would always be wildly re-
membered by Florence, fresh from the peace
and happiness of her school life. Norton
knocked his opponent down. He rose and for
a moment the room seemed full Of legs and
arms and painting men. A foot tripped up
Norton and he went down under the bogus
detective. He never suspected that the trip
ping foot was not accidental. He was too
busy.
The other man dragged Florence toward
the hall, but there the peaceful butler m
tered into the field of action with a very un-
attractive automatic. The detective threw
up his hands.
The struggle went on in the library. A
trick of ~jiu-jitsu brought about the downfall
of Norton's nan, and Norton ran out into
the hall to aid Jones. He searched the de-
t%ective's pockets and secured tho revolver.
The result of all this was that the two bogus
detectives soon found themselves in charge of
two policemen, and they were marched of
to the station.
"Your advent vas most providential, Mr..
Norton" said Jones in his usual ~colorless
tones.
" rather believe SO. Why don't you pach