The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-10-06
Continued From Our Last Issue)

| NNntAuucU y fVAu Our IuSb ISouo)
| Mrs. De Peyster was alone
Mary had answered a summons
from Jack to the effect that Judge
Harvey was calling on then
again. And Matilda was still
busy in the kitchen with the ode
Jobs Of the night end.
He sat down, and in his fluen
manner, discussed their prepare
tons for the future; and he wal
still talking when, Is minutes lat
er, the door opened and Matilda
entered.
"Oh," she quavered. "the serv
ants bell rang-and l answered
II, like I'd been told to do-anG
in stepped four men-two of then
the policemen we let in that first
night. and two men / never saw
beforehand they asked IL they
might speak to my brother, who
was visiting me. And II prom.
ised to call him down. oh, me-
Angelica"
Mr.. Pyecroft, what does this
mean?" cried Mrs. De Peyster.
Heaven knows how they've
done It," he snapped out. "But II
means they've tracked me here!"
"And II they take you-they-
they may find me, and"
Nothing more likely" grimly
responded Mr.. Pyecroft.
Then escaped" Mrs. De Pey-
ster cried. Run! You still have
time!"
Running from the police is the
surest way to get caught when
they've got you trapped" he an
swered in quick. staccato tones.
They've got every door watched
sure. Anyhow-listen! They
haven't trusted you. Matilda |;
they've followed. Angelica, down
with your face to the wall, and
be sick"
Mrs. De Peyster obeyed. Mr..
Pyecroft drew the rooms one
chair up beside the bed, sat down,
picked up a book, and, with the
most natural manner in the world,
began to read In a loud voice.
The next moment two policemen
came in, and presently two solid
men, in civilian dress, pushed
through the door. The foremost
fixed on Mr.. Pyecroft a triumph
ant gaze.
well, Preston" he said, $50
we've landed you at last"
Mr.. Pyecroft, his left forefin-
ger still keeping the place in the
book, stared at the speaker in
bewilderment.
Pardon me, sir, but l COM
pletely fail to understand what
you are talking about"
Don't try that con stuff on
us; we won't fall for it," advised
the lieutenant. But If you amt
sure who you are, I'll put you
wise: Mr.. Thomas Preston, forger
of the Jefferson letters, it gives
me great pleasure to introduce
you to yourself"
Mr.. Pyecroft continued his puz-
zled stare. Then he laughed.
Gentlemen, you really seem to
be taking this matter seriously!
Why, You two officers in uniform
saw me only the other night here
with my two sisters, and any one
in the neighborhood can tell you
my sister. Matilda, has been
housekeeper in this house for 20
years"
That tone was most plausible.
The two uniformed policemen
looked at their superior dubious
ly.
Never you mind what they
seen," the lieutenant commented
dryly. And never you mind
about Matilda. l know you're
Thomas Preston. Jim, Just slip
the nippers on him. And there's
something queer about these >wo-
men. Just slip the bracelets on
, Matilda, too, and carry down
stairs the party in bed. Well
call the police ambulance for her
and take the whole bunch over
to the station"
The party In bed suddenly stit.
fened as IL from stroke of some
kind. and Matilda fairly wilted
away. Mr.. Pyecroft alone did not
change by so much as a hair.
"One moment, gentlemen" he
interposed, before you go to re
grettable extremes. / believe thai
an even better witness to my
identity can easily be secured"
"And who's that, Tommie?'
81 refer to Judge Harvey"
Judge Harvey" The lieuten
ant was startled out of his ironi'
exultation.
1.-THE same" said Pyecroft
Judge Harvey is at this momen
in this house. Matilda, will yol
kindly ask him to step up her
for a moment?"
The lieutenant frowned doubt
fully at Mr.. Pyecroft, hesitated
then nodded to Matilda.
il Presently Judge Harvey ap
peared in the doorway.
Lieutenant Sullivan! See here
what's the meaning of this?" b
demanded sternly.
Evening, Judge Harvey" be
! gan the lieutenant. TITS lik
4 this"
Pardon me-" interrupted MI
Pyecroft. Judge Harvey, thes
gentlemen here have been upo
the point of making a blunde
that would be ludicrous did 1t nc
have its serious side. The fac
is, they desire to arrest me-"
ARREST you'll" exclaimed tn
Judge.
Yes, arrest me-" Mr.. Pyecrof
went on easily. THAT would b
bad enough in itself. But, as yo
know, Judge Harvey. my arref
would unfortunately but necessal
lily involve the arrest of severa
4 other mite innocent persons