Omaha daily bee., 1916-06-18

cess to the desk-and who knew the
letters were therel"
"No onep said Mrs, Burton
promptly.
"But that Is impossible" remon'
strated the girl. "The thief mus
have known. And we must find the
thief il we are to help you'll Have
you maid"
"Of course--but Mimi 10 quit.
above suspicion, | assure you.
would vouch for her devotion"
"Can we talk to herr" asked Mona
In answer Mrs. Burton pressed q
concealed call button at her side. II
was quite obvious that she thought
her visitors were wasting valuable
time. A moment later the door
opened to admit young, dark-eyed
girl, with unmistakeable Partisan fea.
lures and mannerisms, who stood
silently surveying them as Mrs. Bur.
ton explained that her visitors wished
to ask her few questions.
Mona flung half dozen searching
queries to the demure maid, who met
them all without so much as change
Of color. In the end, Mona was
forced to abandon the amateur in
QUESTION, and giving . signal to Mary,
arose reluctantly as Mrs. Burton dis
missed the servant.
y am afraid you are right about
Mimi" said Mona. as she stood, sur
veying the room uncertainty. s"She is
either absolutely loyal and honest, or
one Of the most consummate &C
tresses I have met" :,
As they passed through the hall,
Mona caught a glimpse of Minis
face watching them wonderingly. In
the lower hall, Mona uttered sud
den exclamation, and started back to
the stairs.
Il have forgotten my purse" she
said hurriediy. Il can get it, Mrs,
Burton-thanks.
At the door OF the boudoir, Mona
hcsitated moment, and then step
ped suddenly into the room. Mimi
was rising from the telephone.
Mona flashed her quick glance
,, and saw that the girl was flushing
intentionally.
TO whom were you phonins3" she
asked abruptly.
Mimi tossed her head.
sand what does that matter &c
your
Mona compressed her lips, ant
picked up her purse. "Nothing-per-
! hapsw she said, and walked down The
stairs thoughtfully. In the lower hall
she faced Mrs. Burton decidedly.
THAT maid Of yours knows NOR.
about this affair than she has>tole
usl''. she said. with your permission
l would like to question her again"
Il am certain you are mistaken,
said Mrs. Barton obviously, but /
you are to help me, suppose 20,
must have your own way"
Again Mimi was summoned, ant
again she faced Mona's swiftly variet
\ questions--this time meeting her in
terroeator with more assurance, a
though realizing that she had her mis-
tress' confidence to support her il
A the end. Mona was obliged2aaa be
fore, to own herself defeated. Wit
shrug she watched the girl leav'
the room.
Y"If have >wrongcd her, ! an
sorry" she said simply. "But ! an
more confident than ever that sh,
holds the key to the disappearance 0
your letters, and that we must max
her tell us the TRUTH
4 "Oh, | hope you are wrongp' erie,
\ Mrs. Burton. Mona flashed her /;
swift glance. The others defense o
her maid, in spite of her own trouble
spoke much for her generosity. 4 4
4 "You will hear from Us very soon
perhaps in the course OF an hour,
promised Mona, as the two girls pre-
pared to take their leave. Il am no
sure yet Just how we can help yot
or whether you have done wisely i
coming to Us instead OF to license
detective agency. But il it's possibl
for US to aid you, be sure that we Wi
do It'll" -
Mary turned to her friend i'm
pulsively when the two were alone.
What did you mean by your prom
Use to let her hear from US in a
hour or sos"
Because we are going back again,
| said Mona quickly. First, hsv
some purchases to make for the bens
fit Of our friend, Mimi"
She instructed the driver to stop Z
! drug store. and q few minutes late
she returned to the machine with
! packet Of \ peculiar black powde
which she exhibited triunlphantly.
. 1T may not work." she said, "bt
! ! mean to try It at any rate"
Mrs. Burton net them with
glance in which hope and bewilde,
ment mingled. Have you found an,
: : thingT she asked.
Il hope to--shortly," said Mon
; Have you an old envelope with yo,
! addressi" she asked.
! Mrs. Burton's bewilderment deel
4 ened, as she went to her desk. "Hel
Is an envelope, il it is what you want
i Mona looked at It, and smiled. I"
i willldo admirably" Carrying the el
Z yelope to the light. she busted 1t vii
A portion Of the black powder 81
/ had purchased. Mary gave little CT
: as the Impressions Of four fingers ar
4 a thumb showed vaguely on the viii
3 paper.
: "My finger prints" exclaim,
! Mona. Now If you will kindly ca
! Mimi again, Mrs. Burton, think
= can promise you some definite pro
]. ress."