Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-07-06
CONTINUED from First Page)

that line. But Zosco. after he's looked
me over keen. shrugs his shoulders
doubtful. Mrs. Jake. though. is ready
to grab at anything.
Can you find him." she asks. starin
at me will you. young man."
Also I gets an encouragin', admirin
glance from Wee. That settles it, I
was bound to make some sort of play
after that. Besides. l did have kind
OF a vague hunch.
Il amt promisin' anything" says l.
'but I'll give 1t whirl. First off,
though, maybe you can tell me what
youth around the place wears black
and-white checked cap?"
That gets a quick rise out of the
former Myrtle Mapes, now Mrs Zosco.
"Why-why." says she, my brother
Elery does"
That's So" puts in Zosco. where
is the youngster""
"Ellery?" says Myrtle, givin' him
that innocent baby doll look. "Oh. he
must be in his room. IL will look"
Never mind" says l. Probably he
Is. 1t doesn't matter. Visiting here.
too. Ell? How long? About two
weeks. And he comes FROM
From my old home. Shelby. N. c."
says she. But he isn't the one who's
missing. you know"
That's So" says 1. "Gettin' Off the
track. wasn't 1? Shows what a poor
sleuth l am. And now il can have
the missing mans hat I'll do little
scoutin round outside"
His hatw grumbles Zosco. What
do you want with that"
why" says I, III find any one it
fits it's likely to be Jake. amt IT,"
"Of course" says Matilda. Here it
is," and she hands me IN hard
boiled lid with his initials punched
in the sweat band.
That move gave 'em something to
chew over anyway, and kind OF took
their minds off what I'd been askin
about Ellery. For after hearin' about
him l knew l hadn't been mistaken
about seem somebody down by the
lodge, That's right where l makes
for.
AS | gets to the bottom Of the hill
slips through the hedge and walks on
the grass so If there should be any
one at the gate they wouldn't hear
me. Anu say, tndt was Il reg lar
hunch I'd collected. Standing there
in the moonlight is the youth in the
checked cap.
Near as I can make out he's a mar
row ed, loose jawed young hick
OF nineteen or twenty and costumed
good deal like village sport. You
know-slit coat pockets, a high turn
up to his trousers, bunion -toed shoes
and necktie that must have been
designed by wallpaper artist who'd
been shell shocked. On his left arm
he has basket partly covered by a
napkin. Also he's just handin' some
thing in through little window
about foot above his head.
Course, it don't take any super
brain to guess that there must be
another party inside the lodge What
would Ellery be passin' stuff through
the window for il there wasn't? And
anybody inside couldn't very well get
out. for the only door is heavy, IRON
studded affair padlocked on the out
side and the little window is covered
with an ornamental iron grill Be
sides. as I edges up closer, l hears
talking going on. 1t sounds like the
inside party is grumblin' over some
thing or other. His voice sounds
hoarse and indignant. but 1 can't get
what it's all about. When the youth
in the checked cap gave him the
comeback. though, it was clear
enough.
Jaw. shut up, you big stiff" says
he. You're lucky to get cold chicken
and bread and jam. Where do you
think I'm goin' to get hot coffee for
you. anyway? Amt l runnin' chance
as it is, swipin' this out of the ice
box after the servants leave: It's
more'n you deserve, you crook"
More grumbles from inside
Yah, / got the cigars" says the
other, but you don't get em until
you pass out them dishes. Think I
can stick around here all nighto And
remember. one peep to your pals, or
to any one else. and my trusty guards
will start shootin' through the WIN
dow. Hey? How long? Until we get
'em all into the net. So you might
as well quit your belly -achin' and
confess"
1t was a more or less entertainin'
dialogue. but 1 thought I'd enjoy 1t
more IL 1 could hear both sides. So
was wOrkin' NV Wav thro,rh tho