davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1922-03-26

l Achison at once became serious,
even glum.
Indeed. yes He drew a sigh.
The house: Of course. can be re-
placed. but the painting! A heap Of
ashes"
Have you been out there yet?"
"Yes, drove out as soon as heard
the news. Not a pleasant journey, I
assure you. 1 haven't been able to
shake of the depression since"
Ramsey, who knew his histrionic
ability, watched him with skeptical
eyes.
Both the picture and the house
were insured. I understand"
"Oh, yes. But when a thing of
beauty is destroyed. money seems q
poor recompense. I suppose" bitter
ly, 'I was a fool to take the picture
out there. but I was working hard.
and I enjoyed the quiet and repose
Of the place. This VelasqueZ-not a
large picture, by the way-hung in
my bedroom where I could see it the
last thing before 1 turned off the
light at night and the first thing
when I awoke in the morning"
''It meant a lot to you, can see,"
Brown murmured sympathetically,
but quickly reverted to his dominant
news instinct.
what was the cause of the hre,
in your opinion, Mr.. Achison?"
X x x X
g A H, there I confess I'm at sea.
~ My first thought was that it
must have been the work Of an in
cendiary, but the fire started from
the inside, and old Fred. the care
taker, swears that none Of the doors
or windows had been tampered with.
He declares he himself has not been
in the house for two days. So the
blaze must have resulted from some
defective insulation in the electric
wiring"
But how on earth," said Brown,
did you ever come to leave q pic
ture Of such great value in that
empty house and exposed to such
hazards?"
Atchison spread out his thick
white fingers.
II can explain it only by telling
you that my mind has been almos.
completely absorbed by an important
case- which comes up for trial if a
few days"
Surely" conceded the newspaper
! man. 81 know how that goes. And
now just one more question. Mr.. Achi-
son." He hesitated. Il hope you
won't be offended, but I was talking
to one of the big art dealers this
afternoon, and found him rather in
clined to cast doubts on the genuine
| ness Of the picture. He asserts that
every true velasquez is listed. He
| admits that Edgewater might have
, bought a picture attributed to velas-
quez and hidden it away, but says he
! can't imagine your doing the same
! thing"
Achison curled his lip contemptu-
| ously. but the color rose to his face.
ITO tell the TRUTH" he said. Il had
intended to show the picture this
! winter; it would have created stir.
The only man beside myself whose
judgment I would trust has been out
| Of the country for some time. But 1
| will insist that the picture, which was
| burned today was genuine Velas-
quez, a copy Of the celebrated Lady
With q FAM In part the work OF a
pupil, but unauestionably finished by
L A. -~~xAs t{ynualkN ri5lfi7 .-
Evening star., 1922-03-26

The answer Is simple. On the
strength of his reputation in matters
Of art, and his social position. he
would insure the picture as genuine
and then destroy it
Reasoned just as might have ex-
pected." The lawyer shrugged his
shoulders. Ramsey was conscious
that Achison's vigilance had relaxed.
Ramsey opened the handbag,
brought out the reflector and heating
element which he had recovered from
the ruins of the bungalow.
"The electric heater to which these
belonged. Achison. was, as you know,
part of your bathroom furniture.
AS proved by the articles themselves
and by the fact that they were found
in different parts of the ruins, this
heating coil had been removed from
the reflector previous to the fire.
These charred bits of picture
frame attached to the connecting
| wires on either side are an explana-
ton in themselves. To any one with
even the most elementary electrical
knowledge it would have been an
easy matter to hang that picture by
insulated wires instead of ordinary
picture cord and to attach the ends
Of those wires to the heating ele-
| ment so that 1t would hang suspended
at the back Of the canvas. In fact,
| the connection as made here with
| the coil shows 1t to have been the
! work of an amateur. That done, all
| that remained was to connect to the
lighting circuit of the house the in
| sulated wires that held the picture.
Then. when the current flowed
through them down into the coil
at the back of the canvas. it would
! redden and glow. ignite the picture
! itself, and the blaze, spreading to
| some inf1ammable draperies near at
| hand, would soon have the whole
| fiimsy bungalow in flames. with the
! chances thousand to one that every
scintilla Of evidence would be de-
| stroyed."
Achison glanced down impatiently
At the papers in front Of him.
+ y
"VERF ingenious" he nodded.
.Howeyer. you overlook one
very salient point. young man. A
i fire started as you suggest would have
| taken place as soon as the current
was turned into the connecting wires.
Some one to accomplish that must
| have thrown a switch inside the house.
And no one had been there in two
| days"
objection granted" Ramsey smiled.
"And I'm willing to admit that that
! very circumstance came near proving
a stumbling block to me. It was only
by pricking my finger on . bit Of
twisted wire that arrived at the So
| lution."
Let us suppose again." he pro-
ceeded, "that q very delicate switch
had been installed in the lighting con-
nections which would operate at the
| slightest pressure-even to so slight
! a pressure as the vibration of a tele-
phone bell. Then all that one would
have to do to throw that switch and
set his house on fire would be to en-
ter a telephone booth miles away and
call up the number Of his bungalow"
He set upon the table the telephone
| bell he had brought back from the
ruins, pointing out the bit Of fine
wire twisted about its clapper, and
against the end Of which he had
pricked his dnSsr.
srhef wlre ran from the clapDer 10
] m ai>c4rfA switch. probAblx directly
Evening star., 1922-03-26

"\NHY. Atchison left the place
only last week. SO the care
taker tells me. And you know what
it is to get a moving van now, with
this strike on. He finally sent out
one, day before yesterday. and they
brought back a lot of his bric-a brac
and books and er-colors, and one
thing and another. But somehow
this picture wasn't on the list the
driver had--didn't want 1t handled
with the other stuff, I suppose-so
they were to make a special trip
for it this afternoon.
Seems like fate, in a way" He
shook his head. "Of course, the thing.
as I say. is heavily insured; but
Achison's too rich to care about that.
I'll bet he's tearing his hair right
now over the loss of his Velasquez."
Ramsey recalled Achison's face as
he had seen it less than an hour be-
fore. If the owner Of the picture
were bereaved over his loss, he had
certainly concealed it admirably.
'1Iow the bugalow ever caught
fire is mystery" Brown resumed.
IF the caretaker is telling tho truth,
it must have started on tho inside;
but no one had entered the house
since he was in there two days ago
with the moving van men. A drop
ped match or carelessly flung cigar
ette couldn't possibly have smoldered
that long. Neither was it caused by
tramps; the man had been about
the premises all morning and he in
sists that the heavy wooden shutters
which covered the windows were in
tact, and the doors are chained and
padlocked. There was no sign or
smell Of smoke; in fact, he left the
place without the slightest feeling Of
, apprehension. But he hadn't got more
than a quarter of mile away be-
fore. turning around, he saw the
flames bursting through the roof. He
hurried back with the idea of tele-
phoning tn the village for help, but
the fimsS building burned like tin
der. ana when he got there it was
practically destroyed.
"I'm anxious to hear what Achison
has to say about the affair."" added
the newspaper man, glancing at his
watch. Il have an appointment with
him at half-past at his club. Guess
I'll be starting"
II was just going up there myself"
said Ramsey I'll walk along with
you"
They covered the short distance
to the clubhouse in few minutes,
and went in. Achison was standing
just inside the door, talking to one
Of the club attaches. He looked up.
lifting his heavy brows a little as
he saw Ramsey, then came forward
and shook hands with the two men.
"How do you do. Mr.. Brown? I'm
on time, you see. All, Ramsey? I'm
glad to see you. and not greatly sur
prised. You have faculty of turn
ing up when ! am in any trouble.
The test of true friendship. eh, Mr..
Brown: Come in here"-he motioned
toward a room on the left-"where
we can talk" Then, as Ramsey drew
back as if to leave them, he laid a
hand on the young mans arms.
Come along" he said genially; this
is no star chamber session"
Ramsey OWNED behind that bland
ly courteous mask q challenge, and
Z challenge from Achison Ramsey
he was unable to refuse.
you've had quite q loss today, Mr..
Achison?" said Brown az they seated
Evening star., 1922-03-26

research by the offer of a pecuniary
reward for any fresh discoveies. All
that afternoon. and late in the even
ing, Ramsey sat in his room with his
assortment of charred and broken
relics spread out on a table before
him-fragments of shattered china
and glass, bits OF metal, parts of fau-
Gets and door-knobs, two andirons,
the steel box to which was attached
the bell OF the telephone-hetero-
genous collection OF junk.
Just as he was about to confess the
problem beyond him, an unguarded
movement of his elbow knocked one
Of the objects to the floor, and, stop
ping to recover it, he gave himself
a sharp prick upon the finger.
The answer he had been So vainIy
seeking was at last revealed to him.
He sprang to his feet with a thrill
of exultation.
The next morning. as soon as RAM
sey could get into communication
, with the lawyer, he telephoned, ask
ing for an interview
Come down to my Office at once
Achison replied after a moments
hesitation"-that is. II you have any
thing really important to talk about"
Il have" returned Ramsey. I'll
be there inside of fifteen minutes.
Good-by.''
In immediate response to his card.
he was shown into Achison's private
room. The lawyer glanced mp from a
pile of papers on his desk. to nod in
differently.
"YoU look as if you had hurried
L he said. IT'S something
never do, myself I am too old and
philosophical" He leaned back in his
chair, surveying Ramsey with pat
ronizing superiority.
"Now, my young friend-or shall
say my young enemy-out with it.
What's on your mind? I am busy
! man."
$50 am l." retorted Ramsey cheer
fully. "Tve been an extremely busy
one today. up since dawn getting my
l
| written out"
Achison's expression altered slight
ly.
Constructing a theory, eh, and
| manufacturing evidence to substan-
tiate it? Ramsey. you shock me-"
| this manufactured evidence of mine
and have me tell you just how the
fire occurred?' AS Ramsey spoke he
lifted small handbag he had brought
with him and placed it on the table.
go ahead" Achison's tone was
scornful. but his steel-sray eyes were
alert and wary.
well, then.' said Ramsey equally,
'1et us suppose that. some ono had ac-
quired q picture which might or
! might not have been the work OF a
great master. Suppose. too, that that
some one was a connisseur who had
been honestly deceived as to the au-
thenticity of the painting, but who
after it came into his possession, dis
covered that it was fake.
would not that some one, rather
than submit to the ridicule of his fell
low experts and collectors. wish to
obliterate the picture in such a way
that his failure OF judgment would
never be known. He would also
especially if he happened to be an
IAchison-want to make some one pay
for his disappointment and hurt self
Il
Evening star., 1922-03-26

disappointed, though he knew Achi-
son was perturbed. Perhaps a min
ute passed. then Ramsey picked up
his hat
Nothing more to be gained from
you. is there?"
Nothing" said Achison. absently,
then added quickly. with an assump-
ton of his former hunior: Sorry I
can't break down and make a con-
fession, Ramsey, but I'm too sleepy
for Mysteries. Au revoir.'
Ramsey had learned nothing tangi-
BILE from the interview. yet he de-
parted feeling convinced that the
burning Of the bungalow was far
from the accidental happening it ap-
peared on its face.
The girl? Where did she fit into the
puzzle? Ramsey reflected upon the
momentary impression he had had of
her-her gay excitement, her eager
questions, her evident confidence of
her companion. And yet he was posi-
tive that she was not of Achison's
world. He recalled the shabbily
gloved hand she had laid on the win
dow of tho limousine, her worn coat.
In some way he would. he must
meet her. But before he entered on
this quest he determined to visit the
ruins of the bungalow. Early the
next morning he crossed the river
and went into the Jersey hills. When
he finally reached the place. he found
that tho flames had done their work
thoroughly. There was little left of
the bungalow but heap of cinders.
x 4 * !:
THE old caretaker was busily en-
gagged in Strengthening out the
yard, and paid no heed as Ramsey
alighted from his car and strolled
over to look at the ruins. The only
persons at the scene were q half
dozen small boys, who were turning
over the debris in search of treasure
trove.
AS Ramsey came up, one of them
had just dug out the circular, concave
reflector Of an electric heater which
had survived tho fire better. thar,
might have been expected. The pro-
tecting strands Of wire across the
face of it were still intact, but the
heating was missing.
One Of the lads hurried off to a lit
tie pile of salvage and came back
with the missing part, a round,
spool-like coil with two strands of
insulated wire still attached to it.
To each of the two strands of wire,
at about equal distance from the
heating part, clung two charred and
blackened pieces Of wood.
Ramsey snatched the apparatus
from the boy. and examined these
carefully. The two charred bits of
wood were fragments Of a picture
frame. He turned again to the re-
flector and studied 1t and the heat
Ing section. They belonged together;
that was obvious. Moreover. the
heating section had not been fused
or melted away from it's place by the
fierceness Of the fire; it had been
removed by human agency.
''where did you find these two
parts?' Ramsey questioned the boys,
"-anywhere near together?"
"oh, no, SIR" volunteered the one
who had recovered the reflector.
II found this here round thing right
yonder where the bathroom was;
and Jimmy, he found that spool way
ever there under what was the bed
room"
1,aresav auuxrad thA ,hoya Ia nax
Evening star., 1922-03-26

X X \ *
LIE strode up and down the room.
= He dropped back into n chair
and drummed restlessly with his
finger tips. When at last he spoke his
voice was strained and hoarse.
III let you off, Achison. 1t is upon
two conditions. Here they are: You
will refuse to take any money from
the insurance companies. saying tha,
you have discovered circumstances
which make it impossible for you 10
do so. Then you will make over 10
those two women, from your own re-
sources, the exact amount Of insur-
ance you expected to receive"
Achison stared at him epeechless.
His face had grown livid, with
blotches Of dark red on the cheek
bones. When he found his breath. he
leaned menacingly across the table
Ramsey, I'll be hanged" he be
gan.
"You will, indeed" said Ramsey. un-
perturbed, cor more probably. electro
cuted. And may l be there to see
But what you are going to do now,
this morning. is to make over $4,000
to Mrs. Edgewater and her niece, and
am going to inspect the instrument
by which it is conveyed, and also to
take charge Of II and see that the con
ditions are carried out.
'arhat," he added. sis my fee for
eompounding a felony"
l.. Aospszisht 1ez. An xxAh- Sesssssel )
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-12-31
wanted-FemnIe 80

WANTED-POsltion as hOusekeeper in
widOwer's home by young lady: no OBJ
ASHTNGS-Neatly done. VIII call for
and deliver Main 2044
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-12-31
ROOMS AND BOARD

Rooms Without Board Gs
" JOLFAN Az. 1OlJ-MOdern furnish
ed sleeping room reasonable gentle
men only.
TOR RENT-Nn room Tor two gentle
men also garage Inquire at go W
l.aSalle Av.
FRANKLIN ST. \. 432-Furnlshed room,
suitable FOR one or two gentlemen
close in furnace heat. electricity; priv
ate entrance close 20 S.udebakers
GUISE APTS.-J12 ". CofaX Az. Reser-
v1t5ons only, and space ia ire proof
steam heated garage Main 1882.
" LASALLE. G1O-One large. furnished
room for one or two gentlemen IN mod
ern, private home Main 52l2.
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-12-31

VERY SPECIAL. SALE Of tricot.ne and
2fCl
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-12-31

BUSINESS SERVICE


Jn CONSTRUCTION AND REPAIR
60. llast.ugs bldg 21~ ~ Michigan
- TEL T.. ESQ. We arc prepared to
provide T0u with best carpenter rep3If
mo laults 10 prevailing standard
prices small or large Jobs e ven
prompt attention citizens. C1utrIe.
TOTS. construction coupaties. rIl Dn
u- when tH need
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-12-31
INSTRUCTION
Local instruction Classes.

DECEMBER - JANlAR 60 Enter Day
Night School. THE THOMAS con-
Main 29O4. Licensed Emp. Dept places
graduates and others.
MARIE HANLON Dancing Studio. J. NJ
:. Bldg. 2nd floor Childrens aesthe-
tic classes Saturday; adults social dane
ing Tuesday and Thursday nights
Private lessons by appointment. Phone
Main 1851.
MID WINTER Term Opening. January
,. Day and Night classes. Office open
every dag this week for interview and
enrolment South Bend Business Col
lege. Michigan and Monroe SITS
REPORT 14O. The Thomas school Ii
censed Employment Agency. Mich. x
Wash. Main 29O6. Positions recently
filed. We will place during 1929 hun
dreds Of people. Why not place your
application with rs az once
S.enographers- Typists Ada Hart
ranft. Industrial Finance Corporation
Deidre PilkingtOn. Wesley Miller Co. f.
Mrs. Bessie keasey. Industrial Finance
Corporation Mrs. Earl Mccullough
Associates Investment Co; Mrs Mac
HautZ. HOoSier Rubber Co. Nsha.
Helen Guyberson. Industrial Finance
Corporation, Marie Gillette. Board o.
Education. GenPvieve Fox. Consumers
Mfg Co. Misba. Danl Rassi. stand
ard OF Co; Aletta Harner. JDo.
Shafer Hdw. Co. Mrs Mary Harsh
barger. WhitcOmh & Keller: Katherine
O'Keefer. The Ries Co. Erma Reuter-
Chaplin state Bank; Catherine Diego
wits. The Studehaker Corporation Dora
Crawley. Ind BELL Tel Co. dist Office
Mrs. sue q kniEhtlinger. MrHeary-
NIiuhouSe Mfg Co Rose Narhaugh
Book Steno.. Hun & Sucker LIMB
Co.
Bockkeepers - General Office Olive
Ayres. Schuyler Rose COaU Mrs
Bertha Skoog Geo. Cutter Co Mar
Euerite Buttons. The Stude6aker Cor
rDrati0n.
substitute and temporary positions
filed - : Moran & Son. b0okkeeper
Industrial Finance Corp. Steno
Better Ir0reSsed Letter Service Ty-
piSt Pa ,kage Sales Coup. Book -Steno
C,0ss -Geyer Co. Steno.. Palace Theater
Corp. Typist. HOOs'e- State Auto
tss0. Typ'st. C. Cllue- Jewelry
Store Cashier Attys Shlvelv & CT
me-. Steuo.. Weilsmere -Denfsou Corn.
Steno So Bcud Lathe Wks Genl
Ofice Home Accident & Health ms
CO. Steuo: Citv Water Dept. S-euo.
O-Brieu Varnish Wks Geni Of1ce
Atty. T. TAlcott. Steno.
THE GATES school for Dancing. private
Instructions given by Miss Msble
barnes. Miss Esther Murray. NJ Aiken
Eosmole 10 Z. Wayne e. Lincoln 649L
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-12-31
Phone Lincoln 57s
FIFTY DOLLARS


For a first payment OF 5000 ana
bolance In weekly payments. we viii
build you a comfortable three room
cottage. with electric lights. located
In SOuthmore Park a few blocks east
% Springbr0ok and from two 10 fO1f
blocks from south side car line Amsr-
lean neighh0rhood and new echool
right on the addition: improvements,
except pavement. 10 on part Of prop
erty and going IN on remainder: ioca-
tiOn convenient for man working IN
either South Bend or MishawAka 80
Ggners or endOrtefs required
You can select your lot now ana
psy along on 70 until you have paid
IN 5000 and We viii b. for You
II you are tired living On light
Housekeeping rooms. paying high rent,
Won cannot AFFORD 90 overlook THIS op-
portuuitv. Come IN and see Us OF
phone the office ard we VIII take yea
out snv time
MEYERS LONG CORPORATION
col Farmers Trust BLDG Main "a
Open evening" - = p. 70.
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-12-31
wH1rcouB & KELLER

aalfNa D N n aaaa ~ IA r
new room home % unusual d.
sIEn. an exceptionally large uving
room with open fireplace solid oak
floors and trim In l.vSnE room and dln-
ing room 3 l7-ge bedrooms with large
closets. bult-Tu tub Ii bathroom: sK-
sra linen closet. full basement Wlth
laundry connections and hoOr draia-
Lot larger than the average. This
home and location will bear a thorough
investigation by discriminating buysFG
Reasonable terms given.
~ $40
Farmers Trust Bds
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-12-31
AUTOMOBILES
AUTOMOBILES For sale.


1927 OVERLAND touring Dandy me
.HHu 90 ..HU.t uu- Top. body. nrIal-
STEERING. Ules. rIe Al ........-.. SO
1927 DODGE touring I-s 20 mighty fine
.....r- .Ir and .u fine shape w-.u4H
I.al.' ......-.--. .--.-.... ...---. 80
1910 ESSEN touring It's peach ror
1917 HUDSON model touring This
motor WAS recently rverlaulcd. and
whom WEE say the car is 100 very nnr
me- aan.ta. shane We mean Ths
paint body. top ctr, are iu good
condition It's very res pert1hl,
lacking care and viii give q Tot ~ real
service We know HudsOns Ike
book. and believe this IS one peach
for The money ....--........... $h1
1921 HAYNES touring This ear orig
iuIIly sold FOR over $1,000 10 Is Ice ex
coPtion1lly fine mechanical condition
Tho paint top body. uph0lsiCrlng
tires. etc IRE Al Car equipped with
EfeX bumpers front and rear, cigar
lighter. automatic Windshield cleaner
automatic tire gauges ON each tire
.....---....-..... ..-........... Sl,lJt
The purchaser 81 2 new or q used
car from us takes little or no chance.
We made the statement when we
opened shop about eight months ago,
that Eve would never wifuily mis-
represent our merchandise. Every
omplOye Of the CrasSy-Jordan organ
izatiOu Is instructed 20 give the story
straight and sell the goods on merit
and merit alone. We have placed over
hundred new and used cars On the
hands Of satisfied owners. This policy
has won is winning. and viii con
tiuue 20 Win.
CprcCy TopDAN NtOTOp CONfp ANY
az 40 = Michigan St
"JOEDANVILLE"
J o r d N--- J o r d A \
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-12-31

S ALESN IE,N-Fast selling trade ssimuls-
Tor for stores hCstlers earning 500
weekly real opportunity. 1917 Flat
Iron bldg New York
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-12-31
IL
Electrical Works.

KIM ELECTRIC SH0F-5.i D Terer-
son. Sec us Tor an k.uds ~ electrical
work. Estimates furnished. Phone
tfair zoos