Evening star., 1922-04-23
The Latest Story BY Mrs Wilson Woodrow

Erfan0.s stolen instrument eS you
claim, the locating Of Pardus will
prove quite a Job. He would hardly
sit quietly down to await reprisals.
However, We can probably soon sat
isfy oMrselveA on that score by call
ing up some one in the neimhborhood-
1t did not take long to put this
suggestion into effect. As Wallace
had expected, the word came back
that the shop at the number desig-
mated had been Gtted Up only a few
days before, and had been vacated
the previous Afternoon. No one in
the vicinity knew anything about the
late ploHrieton or where be had gone.
''Have you any witnesses who could
testify as to this mans visit to you?"
asked Aehiaoa. The sneer in his tone
was now unconcealed.
Possibly the telephone girl may
have neticed him. or one Of the other
employees" Ramsey shrugged his
shoulders. However" he continued
eurtfy, questions of that sort can
wait for later investigation. What
We want to find out now is just how
and when the violin was taken.
II have my StHadtvarius back Err
land broke in. rising. THAT is all
care fer. 1 leave the matter in
your capable hands, Mr.. Achison."
He bowed to the lawyer and to
Rose. completely ignoring Ramsey,
and, stepping over to the piano.
started to put the violin in it's case.
Pardon me, Herr Erland." Rose
laid q detaining hand upon the case.
This instrument has been left in my
charge I cannot allow you to take
it from the house"
THERE was little quaver in jner
= voice at her hardihood in thus
defyins the great musician; but her
chin was up-there could be no
doubling the ffrmness Of her determi-
nation.
The Norwegian nung back his yell
low name with an indignant ges-
ture.
But the violin is mine" he pro-
tested aRErily.
THAT is as it may be-" she broke
in. Il have no question of your good
faith in the matter. Herr Erland. But
anybody could come In here and make
the same claim. and mistakes have
been known to happen"
But this is sheer folly. Rose"
Achisen stepped forward Herr Err
land knows his violin. of course. He
positively identities it. Believe me.
there isn't q. chance of any liability
on your part in permitting him to
take it,
She turned and faced him.
Mr.. Achisop. are you trying to tell
me-" she said quietly. chat 1 am
JUSTIFIED in turning over property left
| in my care on no more than some
one's bare assertion Of ownership:
Mr. Ramsey has explained to you how
he bought the violin; and 1 believe
his story implicitly. He may have
been imposed upon-the violin may
/ have been stolen: but until he and I
| are satisfied Of that fact by legal
proof shah refuse TO give it up"
Ramsey felt like shouting in his
sxuleation. She still had faith in him.
/ Aehison was plainly nsttled at her
opposition.
Are you aware. Rose" he warned
| imDatiently. that this unreasonable
attitude is apt to implicate you
| tn-
! Hold on. there" Ramsey inter-
| rupted sharply. mo threats. please.
You know that Miss Etsewater is
perfectly right in her contention; but
| in order. to relieve her of any re-
sponsibility in the rpemises I will
I assert my own title"
He moved over to her and took
| the violin from her hands.
You said that could have it when
! ever wanted it. Well, ] want it
| now: and at the same time want to-
ask your forgiveness and have you
believe that shall never rest until
+ discover what Is At the bottom Of
| all this-why I and. through me. you
have been let in for such q mess"
The virtuoso. as he saw his beloved
Strsdivarfus thus appropriated seemed
about to- stranGle. Suffering ex-
Norwegian, he appealed to Achison.
Are yoa going to let him have my
violin-this thief? Is there no law
then in this accursea country? Why
do you not call a policeman and have
! him arrested
' s~ a. nh kAl
4 Herr Erland." Wallace urged paeiA-
cally. Il have no designs upon your
precious violin, for I haven't the
slightest douht that it is your prop
erty. But you must understand that
am involved to the tune Of fifteen
thousand dollars in this transaction.
not to speak Of other considerations
passibly more wstghty. Therefore. If
stand Temporarily upon my de
fseto ownership. IL is simply to try
and clear thinEs up bit more sx-
peditieusly, and also to induce you
to answer few auestionA
! II want to know in nainute detail
| everything that occurred in the In
| tsrim between year arrival At the
hotel after the concsrt at Mr.. Achi-
soR's and your discovery that the
viatin waa mfssiA&.~
r INABLE to keep still, though, Err
- land paced nerveusiy up and
down the door, while he snapped out
hts answers to Waltace's questions
and lightsd cigarette after ciGsrette.
puts.