Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-03-14
SUNDAY MAGAZINE FOR MARCH IA. 1915
WILBUR'S PLACE IN THE SUN

a nickel shield al saw the place all lighted
up, thought there must be dinner party
on, and just strolled in
"Huh!' says |. Somewhat fishy, Brother.
Who found those footprints in the slush for
the ladies?'
81 did," says he.
"Couldnt have been some you'd made
yourself eh9' says l.
"You saw the heel marks, didn't you2"
says he. 81 have on rubbers, you see"
"le-e,es,' says ], inspectin' 'em thought
full "Take EN- off
"But-but look here!" he objects. "Why
should /"
"Take EN- Off" orders snappy, and helps
him with the operation.
And l finds the solcs of his shoes damp
and muddy.
IL wasn't wearing the rubbers at first,
you see,' he explains II had them in my
pocket. But put them on before | came
through the gates. If you don't believe
what | say, though-why I'll be going, |
guess"
"Not yet," says Twombley- Crane "You
came in here and told a cock-and-bull story
about seeing burglar, frightened the ladies,
and led them about in an absurd chase
through the grounds. Now don't believe
word of your tale-not word, Sir!"
"Nor l." puts in the Countess. "My
jewels were perfectly safe all the time. And
my feet are soaking. I've good notion to
shake you, you wretch"
"What if the fellows a burglar HIMSELF"
suggests Cousin Kemp.
ale ought to be put in Jail, at least, says
Sister Ann decided.
Things was lookin' squally for the gent,
and he was shrinkin' down nervous in his
chair as they groups threatenin' around him,
when l interferes.
First off," says 1, "you ladies ought to
go change your shoes and stockin's, or you'll
all have double pneumonia. Leave him to
me and see what can pump out"
"Be careful says Mrs Twombley- Crane.
"He may be desperate character"
ooh, he's all of that" says |, GRIMM at
the gent "Ain't you, now? Come, let's go
off somewhere where you can tell me all
about it.
WITH that lifts him up by his collar
w and leads him into the lib'ry, locllin'
the door behind me. Then drops him into
an easy chair, hands him fresh light for his
cigar and camps down opposite.
"Now," says |, soothin' and confidential,
whats the game, WILBUR
"Eh?" says he,u gawpin' at me.
Ahl. i'iuiilDy, L, IL D liiiiS W 1893
up. Where'd you collect that tin detective
badger"
"I-I bought it., says he.
"Right!" says l. "Now we're comm on.
And you knew about this dinner party
through overhearin' one side of phone
conversation this afternoon, didn't your"
Wilburs jaw goes Stacker than ever. It's
sort of weak, foolish jaw, with the chin
runnin into the neck, and his eyes are the
unsteady, shifty kind. "How-how did you
know that?" says he.
Simple" says l. 81 was at the other end
of the wire when Mr.. Steele consulted you
about Friday"
"Then," says he, starin' at me panicky,
| "you-you're Professor McCabe?"
"Uh-huh," says l. "And you're Wilbur
Brumby, hero of that thrillin' yacht adj
venture when you was kidnapped by Pyra-
mid Gordon. Got that out of some story
magazine, didn't your"
Wilbur mods.
"Just what was the facts of your row with
Pyramid?" goes on. "You got the quick
fire one mornin', suppose, and came back
at him with some loose talk, and then
what then, Wilbur"
"He-he kicked me out" says Wilbur.
at was way he had" says I. "But l
amt bamin' you for feedin Steele with the
kidnappin' yarn. He deserves it. And let's
see-you work at some nickel-in-the slot