The Washington herald., 1915-10-17
tCoryrEh'. 1915.

" red limousine dropped at last
into rest at the curb before
Cleek's door, but it had scarcely come
to a halt before Mr.. Narkom was out
of it and his short fat legs were doing
wild pitter-patter across the pave
ment and up the shallow steps of the
unobtrusive little house.
Don't tell me you've come for me
you incorrigible Spoil-Sport" said
Cleek, sinking back on his launches
before the bag he was packing on the
floor between the windows and look
ing up at the superintendent with an
expression of mild despair.
Yes; l know" bleated Mr.. Mar
kom, forlornly. But ! couldn't help it,
old chap. It's now or never. The
case is one OF amazing importance,
Cleek. and if you fail me"
THE day when l am likely to do
that hasn't dawned yet" interposed
Cleek, getting on his feet at once and
signaling Dollops to take the kit bag
away Nip out and countermand that
taxi and let the packing stand over
until further orders. Cut along. Now
then, if you please, Mr.. Narkom, let's
know what's in the wind, if you
don't mind Sit down and while I'm
making ready to accompany you. FIRE
ahead and give me some idea OF the
affair. Where arc we to go and
when"
We'll. ] had hoped we might catch
the one o'clock train from Padding
ton" said Mr. Narkom, consulting his
watch. Its something over 29I
miles. old chap. Falmouth. in Corn
wall. to be exact: and even if we sue
cced in catching the one o'clock train
we shan't reach our destination until
nine and after tonight ! say-can't
you hurry bit, Cleek?'
rs the case. then. one of extreme
importance?
'Nes Indeed, it NAV, in measure.
be said to be a government affair
although the actual client is a pri-
late individual: a lady in fact. and
oi considerable beauty and social po-
sition. You may. possibly. have heard
OF her She IS Miss Alma Wixtead, the
orphan daughter OF the late Sir Ralph
Wixtead. knight, and ward in chan
oery."
"Of course. I've heard OF her Who
hasn't, Not only is she famous as
hcinE generally accepted as the most
beautiful girl in all England but the
newspapers contained a great deal
about her a short time ago when the
chancellor consented to her engage
ncnt to the only son OF that ripping
old war horse and spirit OF incarnate
patriotism, Gen. Aubrey Stanheld,
who was placed on the retired list last
spring. BY the way, Mr. Narkom, it
nay interest YOU to know that there
isn't the slightest shadow OF truth in
that silly report that the general is in
feeble health and in need Of a per
s0ral attendant | saw him out walk
ing, quite alone. in Pared street be-
tween gix and seven O'Clock yester-
day morning, and beyond looking ex-
tremeiv haggard. the fine old fellow
appeared quite all right. I assure you.
II he were any such 'weakling' as the
newspapers would have YOU believe.
he wouldn't have been out alone at
that hour OF the morning, would he
now"
mot unless he couldn't help it."
agreed the suPerintend ndent; "and. hav-
ing heard the terrible news was forced
to go out himself and wire down to
Cornwall for confirmation of it"
News Confrmationo Cornwalle ,
You don't mean by that. do you. that
he is in any way interested in this
rnoInIng's case"
HE is deeply interested. His son
Miss Wixtead's fiance, as fine a young
chap as the whole force of ROYAL En-
C'ncers may boast-was brutally and
I'm seriously murdeded at Falmouth
rho riCht before last; and as it seems
.',-rrciously like an after effect of
'"," Wretohed Pcbblecote affair last
.""ucr. the war office has added its
appeal 10 that Of Miss Wixtead and
a-kcG me 10 have the matter looked
into by a reliable man and to de-
tcrmInc. If possible. If there is really
any connection between the two un-
happy events"
Hin" said Cleek. pausins in the
act OF tying his necktie and glancing
over his shoulder at the superinten-
dent. The Pebblecote affair." That
was that case OF the young sapper
who was suspected OF being in league
with foreign spy. was it not, and of
selling coast defense secrets to some
German chap who had been hanging
about Falmouth for weeks on end?"
YES; that's the case Won Blum
witz was the Germans name-Gus-
fave Won Blumwitz. He managed to
rIear ,re, -, tIa ,,,rt- 80 f,,,>