The Monmouth inquirer. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1865-1933, 1923-01-25


upon me to hear this woman talking of
it. Did she want to know what suspi-
cions they had at Tricks house? Did
she know anything about it? Had she
her own suspicious, or was it only curl
osity?
Eyes; fortunately, they have got hold
of the thief"
mo now you don't say sol"
just at this interesting point of the
conversation we heard the kitchen door
open.
Madame Reierson left me, and quickly
disappeared.
Then began lively conversation in
almost whisper, but the door was rick
ETY. and my hearing sharp; it was Ma
dame Reierson's voice and another wo-
mans voice. recognized it; it was
her daughters.
Mot home not come home yet, do
you say?-been out the whole night"
I heard the mothermumble something
that he" must soon come home.
And he has not even left any mes
sage? He promised that / should meet
him at ten O'clock to-day-A strange
gentleman, do you say, whom Miss Prick
has recommended to come to you-?
The mother must have spoken of my
presence, but the daughter seemed to
have a legitimate suspicion about the
recommendation from Miss Frick Per-
haps she was inquisitive, and wanted to
see the phenomenon who came to Ma
Dame Reierson with his washing; for
the door Immediately opened, and |
stood face to face with Eyelina, the
ladys-maid.
She stood there, tall and erect, pretty
and tastefully dressed as usual When
she recognized me, her pale face be-
came still paler, and it seemed to me
she tottered a little. She only pressed
her thin lips together and looked calmly
at me.
Are you here? ! did not know the
police were here" She looked at my
garb and smiled little scornfully.
At these words, Madame Reierson
forced herself past her daughter and
surveyed me angrily.
Police, do you say? Does he belong
TO the police? Well, might have
guessed it, since he sneaked in here and
began to talk of the Stolen diamond
ard suehlike"
| looked at the daughter, bit her
features were immovable Either she
had nothing to do with the diamond rob
berry, or she had stronger will power
than most people.
You forget, Madame Reierson," said
|, that it was you who began to talk
to me. of the robbery at AR. Tricks"
Was | mistaken, or was it really sol?
1t seemed to me that the young girls
leok was directed for a second or two
at her mother with great displeasure.
"WeH, if if was who began the
talk, It must have been because you
fooled me on to do it" said Madame
Reierson, jumping up from her chair;
"else why did you come here? Perhaps
you fancy we have stolen Frick's dia-
mondl Be so kind as to look for your
self, and see if it is to be found in my
house"
The worthy dame began to pull ont
her chest of drawers, and TO open her
cupboards, while her tongue went on
with startling rapidity
81 hadn't thought or making any in
vestigations in your house, my dear ma
dame said |, trying to pacify her; Il
came really to find out little about
your lodger, the actor, Frederiksen'
This time the daughters self-contrcl
did not serve her; for some seconds her
face was overspread with deep flush,
and she went away and looked out of
the window.
"Frederiksen is old enough TO answer
for himself" said Mrs, Reerson, CURLY
"He is not at home now, and | don't
know when he.is likely to be"
AS | had nothing further to do there,
/ took my hat, nodded to the woman,
and lef' without ceremony The young
girl still stood at the window. and id
not turn round vixen went out. Either
she did rot notice il, or s,lc did not wish
to show her face.
When / had descended to the next
floor, | heard the sound of heavy steps
coming Up. Frs OF al liesi slS
hat appeared on the stars. atte-ward
pale, dissipated- looking face with c'e.n-
shaven cheeks. lu..uriart curly h1'r ~
der the br.m ii the hst, hac.. frock
coat of faultless cut but with spottea
silk revers, light trousers soncwha
frayed at the bottoms, and craclseo
patent-leather shoes with large bows
The apparition stared at me estupidy
and disappeared through tie door lead
ing to his apartments Il was Ludwig
Frederiksen. who had .ittle CT no sepu-
tation as an actor, but was well Known
as a Don Juan, now somewhat on the
decline, but worshipped, nevertheless,
by the fair sex, not only of the better
classes hut also az the def11i- monde