The Washington herald., 1917-06-11

why the deuce doesn't she answer
that7' Warren turned his paper with
rattling irritation as the door bell rang
again.
Laying down her sewing Helen hurried
to the door. where two strange men con-
fTonted her.
rs there a maid here by the name Of
Nora Connor?"
In deepening wonderment Helen admit
ted that there was.
wed like to see her." with brisk
authority.
!. why II don't think Nora's in," ner-
vously. disconnected at their brusque Of
fciousness.
Then we'd like to see her ROOM step
ping forward.
What's the trouble?" demanded War
rem appearing on the scene.
We're from hesdquarters-want to
search this girls room" drawing out a
warrant.
What's the charger
Stolen goods. She's working with a
butler who's been lootfhg a house on
Park avenue"
"oh. it can't be Norar' protested Hell
en-. cIinging to warren's arm. I'm sure
she's perfectly honest"
IF she can prove that, madam, she'll
now. II you please"
Helen glanced apPealingly at Warren.
but apparently he did not choose to In
terfere. for with shrug he led the way
to the maids room.
II was a long narrow room with one
window. a single bed, a bureau, two
chairs, trunk and a built-in wardrobe
Having switched on the light. Warren.
his hands in his pockets. stood scowlinSly
-.
ruthless direCtness began a thorough and
systematic search.
Still holding to Warrens unresponsive
arm, Helen looked on with shrinking fear
and indignation.
Swiftly they went through the bureau
drawers, relentlessly emptying out Nora 5
pathetic possessions-aprons, underwear,
and cheap lace waists.
There was a box-Hd of jewelry that be-
trayed her vanity and love OF adorn-
ment-tnt its very cheapness testified tc
her honesty. The detectives, skilled at
appraising Jewels, tossed it aside with
hardly a glance
The shallow. built-in wardrobe came
next In the lower drawers were some
Tndarned stockings and several pairs Of
shabby shoes. Above hung Nora's Sun
day suit, rain-coat. a fiowered sateen
DettiCoat. and her blue work ginghams
and black serving dresses.
Standing on a chair one OF the detec-
tives next opened the upper cupboard.
''Oh. those things up there are all
mine"' demonstrated Helen. There's
only some old curtains and odds and
ends"
Sorry. madam, but we've got to look
through everything" as drawing out a
pillow-case bag, he stepped down to
~ "a
There were only bundles OF scraps
leftover pieces of HeIens gowns, trim
mings, and strings of buttons. He gave
them a hasty glance and he crammed
them back. Then out came the curtains.
4 quilt, a roll of shades. and from be-
hind them all a package wrapped in
brown paper. securely tied
Helen looked at It puzzled. What was
in that? She could not remember eve
the package.
The next moment they had it open and
m the bed showered out an assortment
Of silver-spoons. knives and forks.
Are these yours, Mrs. Curtis?' with
N air OF triumph.
Helen shook her head, clinging closer
TO Warren, her heart beating with sick
=evulsion.
That's only part Of the haul" hand
ing them one OF the spoons to examine
1t was very heavy with an expensive
monogram.
How'd she get this stun" frowned
Warren, trying TO decipher the initials.
Jim Leary, the butler. slips it to her
and she passes 1t on to a fence"
Shifting the silver to a chair. they next
turned their attention to- the bed. Tear
ing it apart they felt every inch OF the
mattress, but evidently Nora had not
chosen that for a hiding place.
The trunk which they had left for the
last was locked, but a stout penknife
easily pried open the cheap, light lock.
The tray emptied out on the now bare
mattress displayed a pile OF tawdry
hnery. but nothing that did not plainly
belong to Nora.
Then from the very bottom of the
trunk came another bundle-wrapped in
the same brown paper.
With caught breath Helen leaned for
ward as they ripped 1t open. A pair Of
solid silver candle-sticks, an exquisite
real lace lunch cloth and several smaller