Phoenix tribune., 1919-06-07

than one painter of portraits has said
that she is the most beautiful woman
in the world Mayhap you have heard
of her She is Miss Cameron of New
Orleans, friend of Mrs. Van Dyke.
We have quite an enchanting house
party, Mr.. Barnes, If you consider no
more than the feminine side of it.
BY ~ way, have you heard when the
coroner is to hold his inquests?"
Nothing d Unite. He may wait a
week." said Barnes.
Il suppose you'll stick around until
it's over" ventured O'Dowd. Barnes
thought he detected a slight harshness
in his voice.
Il have quite made up my mind to
stay until the mystery is entirely
cleared up" he said. "The case is so
interesting that don't want to miss a
shred of it."
81 don't blame ye," said ODowd
heartily. I'D like nothing better me-
self than to mix up in it. The next
time you plan to pay us visit, tele-
phone in advance. may be able to
persuade my host that you're de-
cent, law-abiding, educated gentleman,
and he'll consent to receive you at
( Green Fancy. Good day to ye," and
he shook hands with the departing
trespasser.
'Takin' walk?" was the landlords
greeting as Barnes mounted the tavern
steps at dusk.
"Going over the grounds of last
nights affair."" responded Barnes.
pausing
AS he entered the door he was
acutely aware of an intense stare lev
eled at him from behind by the land
lord of Hart's Tavern. Half way up
the stairway he stopped short and
with difficulty repressed the exclama.
tion that rose to his lips.
He had recalled a significant Incl
dent of the night before. Almost i'm
mediately after the departure of Room
and Paul from the Tavern Putnam
Jones had made his way to the tele-
phone behind the desk and had called
= A0AAtDOA III a 1OQNg DllSh NOlCt, Uul
the subsequent conversation was car
ried on in subdued tones, attended by
haste and occasional furtive glances
in the direction of the taproom.
Upon reaching his room Barnes per-
mitted the suppressed emotion to
escape his lips in the shape of a soft
whistle, which if it could have been
translated'into words would have said:
by Cad, why haven't l thought of it
before? He sent out the warning that
Room and Paul were on the wayl And
I'd like to bet my last dollar that
someone at Green Fancy had the other
end of the wire"
Mr.. Rushcroft was giving Hamlet's
address to the players, in the tap
room when Barnes came downstairs
at nine o'clock.
A small, dark man who sat alone at
a table in the corner caught Barnes
eye and smiled almost mournfully,
he was undoubtedly a stranger: his
action was meant to convey to Barnes
the information that he too was from
distant and sophisticated community
and that a bond of sympathy existed
between them.
Putnam Jones spoke suddenly at
Barnes shoulder. He started invol-
UNFAIRLY. The man was beginning to
get on his nerves. He seemed to be
dogging his footsteps with ceaseless
persistency.
"That feller over there in the cor
ner,' said Jones softly, sis book
agent from your town. He sold me
set of Dickens when he was here last
time, about six weeks ago. A years
subscription to two magazines throwed
in. By gosh, these book agents are
slick ones"
"He's shrewd-looking chap" COM
mented Barnes.
Says he won't be satisfied till he's
made this section of the country the
most cultured, refined spot in the Unit
ed States" said Jones dolefully. "Ex-
cuse me. There goes the telephone.
Maybe its news from the sheriff"
With the spasmodic tinkling of the
telephone bell the book agent arose
and made his way to the little office.
Barnes glanced over his shoulder
moment later and saw him studying
the register. The poise of his sleek
head, however, suggested a listening
attitude. Putnam Jones, not four feet
away, was speaking into the telephone
receiver. AS the receiver was re-
stored to its hook Barnes turned
again. Jones and the book agent were
examining the register, their heads
almost meeting from opposite sides of
the desk.
The latter Strengthened up, stretched
his arms, yawned, and announced in a
loud tone that he guessed he'd stop
out and get bit of fresh air before
turning in.
"Any news?' inquired Barnes, ap-
preaching the desk after the door had
closed behind the book agent.
1T wasn't the sheriff." replied Jones
shortly and irnnodia q faIxy ,.oerv,oS1 IL.