The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-07-23

powder, which she exhibited triumphantly. Then
they returned to the Burton house.
Mrs Burton met them with a glance in which
hope and beWllderment mingled Have you found
auythingt' she asked.
u hope to-shortly." said Mona. "Have you
an old envelope with yoar address," she asked.
Carrying the envelope to the light, she
busted 1t with portion Of the black powder
she had purchased. Mary gave a little cry as the
Impressions of four fingers and thumb showed
vaguely the white paper
MY finger prints exclaimed Mona. "Now if
you will kindly Gull Mimi again, Mrs Burton,
think ] can promise YOU some dndnite progress"
Minis gaze openly expressed defiance she
answered the ring.
adopting more concliatory tone than she had
use& before Indeed 7 ara quite srlre shat have
wronged you in my suspicious aud | have called
you in order to tell you be fore Mrs. Burton that
] very sorry if ! have done You an injustice"
She stepped forward and in doing so, dropped her
silver vanity box, which fell the floor almost
al Minis feet. With a smile, the maid stopped
and recovered it.
Thank YOU" smiled Mona holding the box
carefully by its edge oh, just moment, please"
she called as Mimi made movement as though
to leave. As the maid paused uncertainty, Mona
carried the vanity box to the window, and busted
more Of the black powder over its polished sur
face, Against the silver background appeared the
imprint Of the maids fingers and thumb
win you please give that envelope Of
Mrs Buttons" Mona asked Mary. The other
oDcyed promptly, and Mona straightened with a
cry Of apparent satisfaction
Il have caught you red handed Mimi" she
said cr1splY. Perhaps you have not heard of the
wonderful evidence Of human finger prints? It
has been established that there is no more in
fallible witness than the tel}-tale marks of the
thief's own hand. This envelope holding ont
that which Mrs. Burton had given her-"revealed
a peculiar set of hngor prints And now, produc-
ing the vanity box, y have another set Of finger
prints, which coincide exactly. As tho Envelope
recovered from Mrs Rurton's desk there is
only one course I can take. I must telephone
for the police, and give Won into custody on the
charge Of purloininR documents of your en-.
poyer. May your phone Mrs Burton?"
The mistress stared though da2ed nv the
sudden development. For moment Mimi stood,
surveying her questioner with wde-eyed amaze
m"nt Then with gasp she sprang forward and
caught Monas arm.
'No--no, not the police" she walled "Anv.
thing but the police I confess | win tell yc1
everythinr-but not the police"
Monas ingenious had worked perfectly.
The girl swiftly veiled her satisfaction ana pre-
tended TO consider the maids request.
y don't know that you can help MS that we
need your evidence" she said obviously
oh but you do not know-you do not know
81 that, ! can tell you pleaded Mimi sHiftly.
I can take you to the man who paid me the
money for the letters. who"
You wretch" cried Mrs Burton who now
saw the others duplicty. Minis tears redoubled
His name is Rnn1e, and he told that he
would pay me well for ang information ! could
give him for his newspaper. But even he Is not
th" man you want. lie is only agent The
real man is"
Who" snapped Mona
Mimi smiled craftily. 'Fou promise me that
] shah he protccted-that ! shall not sutfer?"
IF YOU tell me the truth and keep faith with
me, conceded Mona grudpingIy
Very We'll, then. II is a promise. The man
Wentworth"
Mrs.4orton gave cry Of incredulity.
Impossible Why. 1 know Mr. Wentworth
vel! he Is a'o,c any such infamy. There would