The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-03-12

NSsss~~
By Jane Mclean.
Ger HERE" said the ex-butler
here is a wedding pres
ent Miss barley. from
Miss Conway and myself to you,
with your fathers permission"
barley. too astonished to speak.
walked over as his daughter took
the paper from Peters hand. 1t
was the proxy lost by Slower. 1t
was the authorization to vote the
stock held by Darley's brother. and
IT carried with 1t the control OF the
policy Of the barley works.
Darley's face went white. He did
not pretend to understand how this
formidable paper had come into the
hands of Glare, but he began to see
dimly that perhaps there was more
back OF the audacious hold-up than
appeared on the surface.
you don't mean to say" cried
barley. that that proxy there 10
the one Slower showed me In the IL
brary?"
Yes, SIR" said Peter. the same"
And you took 1t from him
Glare took 1t from him. sir"
well, she took 1t from him for
what for?" he ended rather lamely.
WHAT'S NEXT.
II don't wonder the whole thing
seems rather blind" said Peter.
while Mr.. Slower talked to you
IN the library I took the liberty Of
glancing In, and / heard what he
said. It occurred to me that your
brother signed the proxy without
knowing what he was signing.
have had experience with scien.
lists before, and II II was unfair for
Slower to get 1t In the way he did
1t would not be any more unfair for
me to relieve him of 1t.
II see," said barley, beginning
TO glimpse a light
so j made bold. sir, to tell him
that Miss barley requested him
to stay after his remark about
terms, sir"
Yes. yes; 30 on, Peter.
81 called Clare into action with
cut telling her just what was at
stake, and went through with the
holp-up."
Don't you SEE" cried Carlotta,
"he couldn't get the paper from
Slower without pretending to get
everything fro m all OF US"
That's clcsr," said barley. "Well.
Peter, what's next"
THE next thing on the pro-
Erammc." said the perfect butler,
lis to make you all witnesses to
q little cercmony-we shall burn
the proxy. since that is the only
way to realize on its value.
And he produced a match from
his pocket and while Carlotta held
out the paper set hre to one END
OF 1t.
In q second it was in ashes. -
~ wedding present that has to
be burned" said the young woman.
"Peter," Mr.. Darley's voice was
little husky. II can't tell you what
I'd like to tell you. Your main busi-
ness now Is to get away, but II you
ever need = friend you know where
to come. imagine your uniform
may prove troublesome when the
real Sergeant Linton arrives"
EVIDENCE FLIMsY.
I'm afraid IL may, sir. especially
as left its owner on the lawn TIED
and gagged"
But where will you so?" asked
Carlotta anxiously.
1--WE shall be all right, Miss Oar
ley. No one will lodge a complaint
but slower. and his evidence is
rather fiimsy. You see, he can't
really prove anything. With your
permi ssion Clare and ! Will run
along"
Clare Conway, her eyes shining
linked her arm through his.
But how about the charge OF i'm
persopating an offcer?" asked OAR
ley.
"I think the police will want to
make as light OF that as they can
IL the facts become known" Peter
smiled, wen have to risk it."
One minute" interrupted Homer.
81 can't let you go like this. See
here, Carlotta and Mr.. and Mrs.
barley, I'm not a hero and / won't
pose as one. Do you know why /
had the nerve to jump on Peter?
Because he told me in Portuguese
to do II with the promise that
when did he wouldn't shoot"
.'Oh, ohv cried csrlotta. How
fine Of you, Peter, and how fine OF
you, Homer. to tell II. You're just
as much q hero to me as ever, and
I'm going to try to prove it,"
A loud knocking on the locked
doors gave warning to the two con-
spirators that their stay was at
an end.
slip through into tho pantry"
said barley. 'Tll unlock the doors
and try to stave them OH ior
while"
Peter and the girl slipped out as
barley turned the key and admitted
n pompous and irritated Sergeant
Linton.
I'm Sergeant Linton" he an
nounced.
"pelighted to meet you, Ser
Geant." said barley, holding out a
Welcoming hand. II understood
you were on your way. Glad
you've come"
LIES LIKE A GENTLEMAN.
II was told there were three
policemen here" said the SER
reapt. looking around the big
room As though he expected to see
them hiding in the corners.
mot three, two" broke in
Homer, "one outside
run outside and bring him in"
said the sergeant brusquely to the
four men who had accompanied
him, and then turning to barley:
"where are the other twoT'
They're In the ante room there"
.s.t