The Washington herald., 1915-01-10

entered my head! knew my uear BlE
too we'll. But, as it happens, I can give
a very fair account. When I left fol
the meeting which was to attend that
evening, l picked up the dOctor-Dr. Bra
bant-half-way down the High street, and
We drove to the hall together. Sartol
let me in
''Sartoli? Who is he?"
My valet. And the best friend I ever
had. AS l was saying"
But Cleek interrupted him.
Il think" said he, If you don't mind
l should like to see this Sartoli.
oh. certainly, certainly Mr.. Shad-
bolt waved his hand toward the house
Wen go in now. He has been with me
for the past five years. | brought him
from Tuscany
They bent their steps to the Octagonal
Room as If by common consent. and Mr.
ShadbOlt gave whispered command to a
servant.
They had barely reached the room when
there sounded a soft knock at the door
and there entered a timid little dark
man. with the face of one of the Italian
saints, his soft step hardly sounding on
the thickly-cOvered floor.
| His face was drawn with grief, and
beneath his large dark eyes were dcep
shadows which told OF sleepless nights
All. signOr. signOr, l watch for you
- he broke out. as he caught sight OF
| his master. You eat nozzing"
| That's all right. SartOIi. that's all
right interrupted Mr. Shadbolt in kind
ly impatience. This gentleman wants to
ask you just a few questions"
Yes. sare. The signOr quite right. In
ees room all ze night. | swear Eat"
| He stretched out a shapely hand, as il
to raise it, and Cleek's sharp eye fell
! forward eagerly and scanned the spot
| upon little wound on the under part
of the wrist, scarcely healed. He bent
with narrowed eyes.
"Hullo.' said he, what's that? Hurt
| yOuTself?'
No. sare, it is a nozzing-poor Police
ze parrot, sare. Mees Mary's pet bird
she bite me when | feed him"
Mrs. Shadbolt liked birds?" interrupted
| Cleek
She had an aviary of them" returned
| Mr. ShadbOlt. But Polly was an espe-
Cial favOrite, though she was of an un-
certain temper. She usually kept the bird
in her bOudoir-in fact, l believe she was
there the night she disappeared"
Hum. Id like to have a look at the
beauty, if l may" said CIeek. Where
d'you keep her?''
But SartOli shook his head. Poor Pol
lee dead-I bury her myself yaisterday.''
What's that?-the parrot dead too,
Pom my soul, the house will be a regu-
lar mortuary.'
You never told me. sartoli," said Mr.
ShadboIt
Il forgot, sare. Ze little sing in ze
Il can quite believe it." said CIeek.
How did the bird die. my good man.
En- With a startled look at Cleek
the man turned aside, then answered
Il do not know. Took seek-that's all"
Just So" said CIeek, "Oh, well. | can
soon find you another. I've got the ad-
dress of a splendid bird fancier who has
done good work for me many times. Here,
Mr.. NarkOm, If you wouldn't mind run
ming back to the Firefiy my man would
give you my private address book. Here's
a note for him. OF you go. and we'll
have another Polly here in no time
and before Mr.. Shadbolt could interfere
he had scribbled something on a leaf and
put it into Mr.. NarkOm's hand
IF that man doesn't bring you the
finest talking parrot you ever came
across, Ill eat my hat said he calmly,
as the door closed behind the superintend-
ent's retreating figure. Now. Mr. Sar-
toll. ! shant keep you many minutes
but you helped to break open this door,
did you nOt?"
Yes, sare. I push and beat it down"
Just so. You didn't happen TO see the
key in the lock. suppose
Inc Key, Sare: what make you ash
for the key"
We'll, has the key been found?"
Yes, yes. 1 found il in ees pocket
in SighOr MauriCe's-I find it las night.
He must have locked the door after kill
ing the good lady"
That settles it. then said Cleek
SartOH turned as if to go. when there
came the sound as OF hurried footsteps.
and the door was flung open by the su-
perintendent. Outside could be heard
the sound Of the hubbub of voices
Cleek's face Iooped into a smile of
triumph. Right. was I. Mr.. Narkom?"
he queried triumphantly.
Good God, yes-right as rain, We
found her just as you said in the chapel
in an underground receiving vault be-
fore the altar"
Dead" asked CIeek Have courage
Mr.. Shadbolt: II my theory is correct we
may yet restore your birds to YOU
Yes there is still life painted Mr.
Narkom. 'Restoratives have been given.
1t seems to he strange case of suspend
cd animation II life does actually re-
main
As Ailsa Lorne rushed from the room
to go to her friend. ShadbOlt in a ter
rifle agony of suspense started to follow
her Cleek with a panther-like move
mont stood between him and the door
No, No! Mr.. ShadboIt." he broke out.
she does not need you now. but will need
you later on. Miss LOrne will do all that
can he done"
What do you mean he cried
SartOli crossed the room; but CIeck was
before him.
NO, you don't. my beauty, 1 know
your little methods too well.''
Speaking. he spranG with a sharp. flash
ing movement. more like cat on a han
less mouse. There was a yell. a brief
struggle. click Of grating handouts.
and a minute later the startled watchers
saw him rise and stand looking down at
SartOli lying crumpled in a heap his
eyes flashing mingled hate and despair.
You seem to take it hard. my friend
said Cleek, in a voice full of loathing.
Just for the present | merely want to
gain a little more information about that
key to Mrs. ShadbOlt's room and a little
more information about that parrot. II
| am not wrong I think We shall get the
whole story shortly now. You are in
for the surprise of your life. Look
Pointing to the door for one dramatic
second. Cleck held the attention Of the
manacled Italian and the cOwed husband
as tremblingly the beautiful Mary Shad-
bolt entered.
She was supported by Ailsa L.orne on
one side and Mr.. NarkOm on the other.
Yet she walked as though hardly con-
scious OF what she did. She was robed
in a long flowing gown of white mate
rial: her hair was tumbling around her
shoulders in a golden mass: and her face
had the pallor Of death. Her great blue
eyes shOne with an unnatural briIlianCe.
Mary shrieked the distracted hus-
hand as he stood with outstretched arms;
Mary. my wife. are you really alive?"