The Washington herald., 1915-01-24
BY
7. w. Hanshew

lIlc EOOul 1HOHl lllb LlOLuthl Itll lllil
here fumbling with the Emperor ring.
you're mistaken"
Cleek smiled reassuringly.
''Oh. l quite believe you." said he. in a
placid tone. There's no need to tell me
that. Still, we policemen have to follow
out certain rules and customs. you know.
so II you wouldn't mind going down and
fetching the young gentleman up here
-"
"Preposterous nonsense" calculated
Nikolai heatedly. Perhaps your col
league had better accompany me to see
if don't coach my cousin up and get
him TO perjure himself"
Cleek smiled serenely.
That would be hardly necessary. I
should say he remarked. with a sudden
return TO the Headland manner. but
| customs is customs. so perhaps you're
right. and il Mr.. Narkom doesn't mind
Mr.. Narkom intimated that he would
be delighted, and stammered himself
apologetically from the room i'm the wake
of one of the most angry young men
that ever existed.
They were not gone ten minutes. how
ever. and when they returned. entering
the room very silently. it was to find Mr..
George Headland deeply engrossed in
fastening a head of the scarlet gladioli
into his buttOnhole, with a "blithering
idot" expression upon his face and a sort
Of smiling content shining in his eyes.
II am sorry l troubled you to go down
for the other young gentleman. 1 see
there isn't any need to disbelieve you,
and If Mr. Narkom is satisfied"
My cousin is quite ready to answer
any questions struck in NikOlai. as
Cleek opened mis- mouth to speak. 1T is
long climb up here for him, and he is
not strong"
'Oh, all right, I'll come down" Cleek
screwed round on his heel, and beckon-
ing to Mr.. Narkom, came forth from the
room and shut the door behind him. as
the figures of the cousins followed.
Outside on the landing. however. he
halted. I say" he blurted out suddenly.
what about the roof-is it possible to
get out on the leads? Never thought of
that before"
quite possible" replied NikOlai
promptly. You can get up here" He
led the way to another door at the end
of the landing. This leads up TO the
skylight, but there's nothing to be seen
up there-unless you want to 60"
For answer, Cleek skipped nimbly
enough up the narrow iron staircase, and
thence on to the fat roof. on which he
literally crawled about, like a puppy out
LOT a TOUlp III JIF sun. men Suuutnly nS
pounced upon something, and sat back
upon his heels surveying H.
See a pin and let it lie." he chuckled,
you'll need a pin. etc, etc. eh? Well.
we'll, I've done my duty, sir, and I'll he
taking myself off. I'd like to see this
place again at night. and so, Mr.. Para
vetch. l may come back again"
With which he turned on his heel and
plunged down the steps. followed by Mr..
Narkom. Down to the avenue where
Lennard and the liveried Dollops awaited
them.
ANY ideas, old chap" queried the su-
perintendent. as Cleek whipped out his
notebook and was scribbling at a furious
rate.
Several" was the reply. Just try
and find this out for me. dear old chap.
and let me alone till o'clock" He thrust
the bit Of paper into the superintendent
hand, and turning upon his heel passed on
and out into a narrow lane running in the
opposite direction, while the superintend-
ent with something akin to disgust In
his look. bent his eyes upon the piece Of
paper that his cupPed hand held.
1t wanted but two minutes Of the hour
of and the rays OF the sun were losing
something OF their golden splendor when
Cleek once more approached Clock Manor
and was shown into the drawing-room
where Mrs. FaravCtch sat, still. grave
figure, refusing all comfort, even from
Ailsa, who sat close beside her holding
one hand in hers.
Close on Cleek's heels came Mr.. Mark
ON. whose Glum face was evidently the
outcome of a bitter disappointment.
We'll. my friend did YOU find i:?"
said Cleek with eyes that twinkled some
what at the worthy superintendent 3
apparent discontinue.
"Ah, well, ] was a little more fOrtu-
nate-come with me all of you
In utter silence they troopnd out OF the
room after him looking at each other and
misbelieving as only sucn people in such
circumstances could misbelieve-up the
staircase, and at the first landing came
into contact with Ivan, the blind mar.
who halted irresolutely at the sound of
their footsteps.
CIeek laid hand upon the mans arm
and turned him gently round as though
he were on a pivot. and invOluntarily
he followed them.
Arrived at the top story nf the house.
Nikolai fitted a key in the lock and
threw open the door of tho fateful room.
Cleek entered it. making straight for the
table upon which the pot of gladioli
stood.
There it is. the beauty" said he,
with A little note Of elatiOn in his tCnes,
its pity you can't see II rJr yourself.
Mr. Sergiovitch. isn't it? It would have
saved everyb body such a lot Of trouble
what's that Mr.. Nikola!? ANY thing
wrong with it? No. indeed. it's been
the saving of your fortune. if not the
life OF your father. See. I'm going to
take his advice. I'm going to repOt il.
always PROVIDING you have no object on. '
Too mystified by his words. to prevent
him even Il they had wished. Mrs. Para
vetch and her son stood watching
watching while Cleek plunged his hands
into the rich dark mold and pulled forth
one after the other-soiled. earth-stained
Jumps, which proved on investigation
to be the missing jewel cases!
THE rings gasped Ivan Sergiovitch,
with almost a sob Of surprise. and Cleek
gave vent to a little laugh, half snarl,
half growl.
"Ah-my friend-none so blind as those
who won't see, eh?' he said sereneIy
whats that? No. you're not going to
escape now. Cod" as he made a lunEe
at the swiftly moving figure Of the man
that went not toward the door. but to
the pedestal Of the Hanuman-the mon
key god"
That's right. my friend-try it for
yourself. but that door Is Closed-and
there's no kindly balloon to send down
its rope and yank you into safety again.
You would-you? Got him. Oy Jupiter,
got him.
Came a snarl and a souffie and the
harsh music OF swapping handouts. then
the crash OF a falling body thUdding to
the stone floor and before you could say
Jack Robinson" there stood Cleek, with
his chin flung up and his eyes swapping
fire. and the writhinG, shrieSing thing