The times-herald. [volume] (Burns, Harney County, Or.) 1896-1929, 1920-03-13

came NJ.
To MIR. Snyder one Of the most re-
markable points about the meal which
for the rest OF his life had place Of
It's own In his memory. was the pc
eullar metamorphosls Of Mrs. Pickett
from the brooding. silent woman he
had known to the polished hostess.
Oakes. who had dealt with her In
her official capacity Of owner and man
ager Of the boarding house. was
patiently struck by the change. Mr..
Snyder found himself apeculating as
"a the early history OF this curious old
woman who was 80 very much Mt ease
ut the head Of her own table.
Oakes, that buoyant soul, was un-
able TO keep his surprise to himself.
lie had come prepared to steel HIS
stomach against homemade wine, nb-
sorbed In grim silence, aud ho found
himself opposite bottle Of cham
pngne of a brand aud year which com
mandod his utmost respects and
pleasant old lady whose only nIn
seemed 20 be 60 make him feel at
home.
Beside each of the guests plates
was neat paper parcel. lie picked
his up.
"why. ma'am, this Is princely !
Souvenirs call this very handsome
Of you, Mrs Pickc,tr' II
eyes, that is n souvenir, Mr.. Bur
ton. am glad you are pleased"
"Picascdr 4 sm overwhelmed,
n'ani"
"You must not think OF me simply
ns the Keeper OF a boarding house. Mr.
Burton. l am an ambitious hostess.
! do not often give these little pnr'
ties, hut when do 1 like TO do my best
10 make them success. want each
OF you to remember this dinner OF
mine.' a..
'I'm sure l shall"
Mrs. Pickett smiled.
IL think you all will. You. Mr.. Sny-
der" She paused. "And you. Captain
Muller"
To MIR. Snyder there was so much
meaning In her voice as she said this
that he was amazed that II conveyed
no warning io the German
Captain Muller. however, was al-
ready drinking neavily. He looked
up when addressed and uttered
sound which might have been taken
for nm expression of polite acquics-
ccncc. Then he flled his glass again.
Mr.. Snyder. cycling his hostess with
tense wntchfulness which told him
that his nerves were strung to their
utmost. fancled that her eyes cleaned
FOR an instant with sinister light.
II faded next moment. as she turned
"a speak to Oahcs. who was still FIN
gerlng his parcel with the restless Gu
rlosity Of boy.
"Do we open these. ma'amf"
"Not yet. Mr.. Burton"
Tin wondering what mine is."
II hope II will not be disnppolnt-
ment TO you"
A sense Of the strnngencss of-the
situation came over Mr.. Snyder with
renewed force as the meal progressed.
lie looked round the table and won
dered II an odder quartet had ever
been assembled.
Oakes. his fears that the dullness Of
this dlnner-party would eclipse the
dullness of all other dinner parties In
his experience. miraculously relieved.
was at peace with all men. He was
In high spirits and waxed garrulous
over his wine.
Mr.. Snyder could read his mind cas-
ily enough. II was when he attempted
10 guess at the thoughts Of his hostess
and the German that he was baiiied.
What was that heavy man with tho
dull eyes thinking OF as he drained and
refilled his glassf And the old womanf
She had slipped back. once the party
had begun 20 progress smoothly. into
something OF her former grim man
ner. and conversation ut table had
pras n ally developed into "a mono
iogae on the part Of the unconscious
Oakes.
Az for Mr.. Snyder himself. he felt
mysteriously deprived of his usual
healthy appetite and simultaneously
OF the easy geniaiity which dIstin-
guished him. He sat and crumbled
bread. nerv0usly wntchfui.
Oakes picked up his souvenir again.
He had been adding with II nj inter
walls for the past quarter Of an hour.
Surely now. ma'amf" he said plain
lively.
II did not want them opened Till
after dinner" said Mrs. Pickett. "But
just as you please"
Oakes tore the wrapper eagerly. He
produced little silver matchbox.
"Thank you kindly. maam," he
said. Just what / have always
wanted"
Mr.. snyder's parcel revealed
watch-charm fashioned In the shape
Of dark lantern.
THAT" said Mrs. Pickett. "is com.
pliment 10 your profession" She
leaned toward the German. "Mr. Sny-
der IL a detective. Captain Muller"
The German looked up.
II seemed TO Mr.. Snyder that look