Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-24
THE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
A Detective Story byJ S. Fletcher

hapa.'on h OIL the lodging and boarding
.I nouse keeper. They are very pretentious,
nose squares, with their many storicd
nyuses, ,,y, tnelr stucco frontages, and their
nocent country folk, coming into them
from the neighboring station OF Pad.
dington, take them to be the residences
OF tne dukes and earls who, of course,
hve nowhere else but In London. They
are turtner encouraged In this belief by
the fact that young male persons In
evening dress are often seen at the door.
ways IN more or less elegant attitudes.
These, OF course, are taken by the coup.
try FOLK to be young lords enjoying the
ar OF Bayswater, but others, moro
knowing, are aware that they are Swiss
or German walters whose linen might
be cleaner.
Spargo gaugcd the character Of the
house at which he called as soon as the
door was opened to him. There was the
usual smell OF eggs and bacon, OF fish
and chops; the usual mixed and ancient
coilecuon OF overcoats, wraps. and
sticks In the hall; the usual sort Of
parlormaid to answer the bell.
And presently In answer to his in.
qulries there was the usual type Of
landlady confronting him, more than
middle aged person who desired to look
younger, and made attempts In the way
OF false hair, teeth and q little rouge.
and who wore that somewhat air and
smile which in its wearer--under these
circumstances--always means that she
is considering whether you will be able
to cheat her or whether she will be able
to see you.
"You wish to see Miss Baylis?" said
this person, examining Spargo closely.
Miss Baylis does not often see any
body"
II hope said Spargo politely. that
Miss Baylis is not an invalid?" ..
NO. she's not an invalid" replied
the landlady; "but she's not as young
as she was, and she's an objection to
strangers. Is it anything can tell
herf"
NO" said Spargo. But you can.
If you please. take her message from
me-. Will you kindly give her my card.
and tell her that I wish to ask her a
question about John Maitland Of Market
Milcaster. and that I should be much
obliged Il she would give me a few
, minutes
Perhaps you will sit down." said
the landlady. She led Spargo into q
room which opened out upon a garden ;
in 1t two or three old ladies'. evidently
|
left Spnrgo to sit with them and to
amuse himself by watching them knit
or sew or read the papers. and he won .
dered II they always did these things
every day, and if they would 20 on do =
ing them until day would come when
they would do them no more, and he
vas beginning to feel very dreary when
the door opened and woman entered
whom Spargo. after one sharp glance
~ her. decided to be person who was
undoubtedly out Of the common. And
's she slowly walked across the room
toward him he let his first glance
'cngthen into a look Of steady inspection
The woman whom Spargo thus mar
rowly inspected was Of very remarkable
appearance. She was almost mascu
line: she stood nearly six feet ir
hcigh !; she was of masculine gait ant
tread. and spare. muscular, and ath
lctic. What at once struck Spargo abou,
her face was the strange contrast be.
tween her dark eyes and her white hair
the hair. worn in abundant coils rount
wcll-shapcd head. was of the mos
snowy whitcness: the eyes Of real
coal -blackncss. as were also the eye.
hrows above them. The features were
wcll-cut and of striking firmness; tn,
'aw square and determined. Ant
Spargo's first thought on taking al
this in was that Miss Baylis seemed e
have been fitted by nature to be &
nrison wardress. or the matrOn of 4
hospital. or the governess of an unruly
girl, and he began to wonder II he would
ever manage to extract anything out o.
those firmly locked lips.
Miss Baylis, on her part. lookct
Spargo over as IL she was half minded
70 order him to instant execution. And
Spargo was so impressed by her thai
he made u profound bow aud found q
difficulty in finding his tongue.
Mr.. Spargo" she said in deer
voice which seemed peculiarly suited &c
her. "Of, ] see, the Watcbman? You
wish to speak to me?''
Spargo again bowed In silence. She
signed him to the window near which
they were standing.
"Opcn the easement, il you please. -
she commanded him. "Wr will walk
in the garden. This is moi private"
Spargo obrdicntly obcycd her orders
she, swept through the opened window
and he followed tcr. II was not un.
til they had reached the bottom Of the
garden that she spoke again.
81 understand that you desire TO
ask me some questions about John
Maitland. of Market Milcaster?" she
said. Before you put it, must ask
you a question. DO you wish any
reply l may give you for publication 2"
Not without your permission" re.
piled Spargo. ~ should not think OF
publishing anything you may tell mo