The Washington times., 1922-04-23
Her Unwelcome Husband

this" and a rush OF blood seemed
to come into his head. The veins
stood out on his forehead. AS he
raised a fist the two agents, entire
ly deceived, seized him by arm and
shoulder. That's all right, sir"
said the young man. mo need to
make a scene, sir. We've seen all
we need"
"Seen all you need" shouted
Caldecot. Good God. Let me get
at him and at the strumpet inside"
IL say" murmured Britford,
"don't make a scene-the servants
will hear you" This was genuine,
for they had not thought Of them.
Damn the servants" shouted
CaldecOt, and for a moment the
landing was occupied by the strug.
gle between CaldecOt and the two
detectives, whom he whirled about
him, causing them to cras against
wall and stair rails, while Rritford,
feeling absurd and terrified, stood
before them Imply in the wide
open doorway.
Suddenly the struggle ceased and
Britford jumped aside along the
landing. There was a moment OF
silence. Before them, staring and
rubbing her eyes, stood Mrs. Calde-
cot, clad only in her nightgown;
over this she held absurdly clasped
an eiderdown quilt, which instinc-
tive modesty had caused her to pick
up. She stared at all four in turn,
her eyes distended, as II she won
dered whether she had gone mad
or was sleep-walking in a dream.
Her senses still overwhelmed by
sleep. she made vague sounds, from
which at last emerged the word.
What"
What" bell lowed Caldecot.
What, indeed? So I've caught
you. Oh, don't stare at me like
that, as II YOU didn't understand"
.But"-- said Mrs. Caldecot, and
suddenly saw Britford, hands out.
spread against the wall Some dim
idea that her husband. with a
couple of other men, was burgling
the house was shattered by the
sight OF Britford in his pajamas.
Her brain refused to act
look here" said Caldecot, sud
denly adopting a calm tone. ''let
me go, you two. It's all right"
Don't make a row, guvnor." said
the older man. We've seen what
we want"
so have l." said Caldecot, calm
ly. We'll, Clarrie, I've caught you.
I've suspected you and that man for
some time. We've watched you
You didn't know that your little
game toulun NC hcpN Vuict iOf
ever, eh?"
"Geoffrey, what do YOU mean?"
She was a little more conscious
OF the four men, and with trem-
bling hands that failed TO hold tried
to wrap herself up more completely
in the quilt.
You know what ! mean" said
Caldecot Are you going to try
and bluff when find your lover In
your bedroom in his pajamas =?
Look at him"
Mrs. Caldecot looked toward Brit.
ford. Certainly she was going mad.
We'll" said Caldecot, I'VE
needn't stay here all night You'll
get a writ next week and this man
is the correspondent" In sad voice
he added. "Clarrie, | didn't expect
this OF you. Nor OF you, Brtford."
He sighed.
But look here, Godfrey" cried
Mrs. Caldecot, suddenly regaining
her strength, 81 don't understand
what's happened. But there's a
mistake-there's something wrong.
| don't know what all this means.
Stephen left the house after din.
ner-"
As she stopped the younger OF
the inquiry agents sharply said
Did your maid let him out, ma am p
NO" said Mrs. Caldecot, 81 did. y
That's all right, ma'am," said
the young man. IL only wanted to
know" Turning to Caldecot, We'll
sir, ! don't think there's anything
more"
While he nut the question Caldo.