The state herald., 1916-02-11


1t. You can laugh, Inspector McGee
but there's something in this spiri,
thing. used to think there was, an
then again I'd think there wasn't
even In my own clairvoyance.
We'll. anyhow. 1t came to me like a
fiash--boarders! could run my
house Just the way I wanted, because
l needn't look out for profits. An
could take Jest who wanted and shut
out whoever didn't want. The
thought chirked me lot. So l fixed
all the bedrooms up sensible with good
white and gold beds and adult size
towels an gave them all little f1y
touches that made them homelike.
AN ! was Jest ready to begin TO
look around an advertise when-this
happened. The idea struck me as
soon as l saw the state of the people
In that house. The police would put
1t under guard. an the boarders would
be out Of a home. So I moved 'em
over bodily, all but the one you
pinched-the sick little dago woman
from upstairs. an the two girls, and
that funny old Professor Noll. An I'm
even putting up with the landlady-if
1t was other peoples troubles ! was
lookin for. got 'em all right"
"Gee!" calculated Martin MCGEE. 81
can use you"
Yes, you can," interrupted Rosalle,
but you won't. I know what you
want. You want me to go to work an
help cinch this case. Well. l won't.
I'm out of that business, too. What
I'm here for, Martin McGee-beyond
the pleasure l always took in your
society"-here Rosalie let her dimples
play and nash-"is to tell all know
or saw, SOS you won't be calm me
at the inquest an gettin' me a fea-
ture in the papers"
How about this man North ?" asked
the Inspector.
We'll, In the first place, like him. I"
said Rosalie: Il like that boy. Looks
like an alibi for him when the land.
lady says he come up the stairs only
a minute before he hollered, an the
doctor says that this Hanska had been
dead two or three hours. Appeared to
me like he was Jest Jared out of a
drunk, too. How about this Lava nee
Wade or whatever his name was-the
man who called with the bag! Got
him?"
He was arrested this morning in
Boston"
"Skippin'7 Looks bad. But now.
Inspector. Just to close things up. I'm
out OF this case. I've given you all !
know. Your police will be botherin'
my boarders lot with questions: an
so will the reporters. Just trust me
to steer that. You keep me out"
Martin McGee sighed.
'All right. Rosalie: but I'D like
your help. Still | owe you lots OF
good turns. and the case don't look as
mysterious. after all. ! guess it's that
fellow Wade"
Il guess probably" admitted Rosa.
lie. Most mysteries amt mysteries
ut all after the hrst day. Well, now,
I'm botherin' busy man In office
hours an must run along. Let's
see-five minutes to four. an it's bad
luck to go before the hour. Suppose
you tell mo about yourself an how
the worlds usin' your"
Inspector McGee sat back in his
Office chair and waxed eloquent. How.
ever. his narrative OF pulls and pro-
motions and Tammany influence was
never finished. For before the hour
struck. tho silent attentive doorman
entered and laid on his desk n card.
Inspector McGee took II up. glanced nj
II perfunctorily. and suddenly let out
an exclamation which had all the
power and verve OF AN oath.
by tho great catsl" he exclaimed.
look at that-'Mrs. John II. Han.
ska"
Ronalic took the card and fingered
Il.
The widow. I bet
Thought he was single" remarked
the Inspector. Though. after all. I'd
Just been taking Il for granted"
Well" said Rosniic. rising. that's
eome.againsoon for me-"
But the Inspector was observing her
with eyes which held quizricai invita-.
ton.
Honest now" he said. wouldn't
you like TO alt In on this interview"
Rosalle flashed her dimplcs and con.
templated him for u second. Then.
with the unexpected iiEhtness which
marked all her movements. she sat
down.
300 here. Martin McGee." she said.
you ain't Eoin' 10 make a fool OF mo.
drnggin' mo into this case--but I'm
dying TO listen Just tho name"
Show them In" said the Inspector
on the instant. and as though fearing
that she would pull back her permis.
sion.
But not unless she's willing" said
Rosnlis. M they waited.
And then through tho door cam. two
women
Good Lord" commented Roaniie
under her breath.
CHAPTER M,