New Britain herald., 1923-08-20
The Reason OFFICER Farrell Changed
His Mind About Madgc

His Mind About Madgc
The request of the Federal officer
did not surprise me in the least,
had known from his searching look al
me when Mamie was talking of the
framed photograph which had so
startled me, that he had appraised at
it's true valuation my denial of any
knowledge of the pictured face. My
answer to him was prompt, for there
was no possible reason for my con-
cealing the simple truth from him.
Il am not quite sure, of course"
said, speaking in the same low
tones In which he had couched his
request, but | think the woman of
the photograph has the apartment
next to mine in New York. ] have
seen her only two or three times
but | am quite certain that she is
the same woman"
He whipped out little notebook.
Name" he said briskly.
told him.
And address
gave that also, but reluctantly
for, remembering Dickys structures
upon our abode, l anticipated the
keen, almost suspicious look which
the officer gave me when he had
transcribed it.
you say you live in the next
apartment at the same address," he
lsked slowly.
Unfortunately, yes, until / can
find more suitable quarters" l re-
turned. making a mighty effort not
10 show the perturbation that was
mine, IF you know the housing stu
ition in New York, you probably can
guess that l had not much choice
when l found it few weeks ago"
Il Didn't Hear Nothing"
No, / suppose not" he said bit
absently But that's not the best
neighborhood for quiet folks, Now,
Mrs Graham, if you'll Just let me
have your full name, and your hus-
bands business address, | won't need
TO detain you no longer. thank you"
/ yielded to purely feminine i'm
pulse, and took my tiny badge of the
government secret diplomatic serv-
Ice from its hiding place and held
1t out to him.
"Perhaps this will be better Gre
Dental" / said.
He looked closely at it for a sec
ond, then laughed shortly.
This will teach me lesson" he
said. Il thought that garrulous
young fool who was here was talk
ing through his hat when he said
something about this. l beg your
pardon. Mrs. Graham, | am sure |
tor my comments on your address, |
OF course, you know all about it, |
Have you a fash-light? No? Unfor-
tunately I must not leave here my
self until we get this evidence away, |
but the girl can 60"
He swung open the door of the |
inner room SO quickly that Mamie, |
kneeling with her ear against the
keyffole tumbled in an ignominous
heap upon the kitchen floor.
Il thought that was what you
were up to-" he said sternly. as he |
stopped and lifted her to her feet.
But what you heard didn't do you
much good, now did it,"
Il didn't hear nothing" she re-
turned, with defiant resentfulness.
and remembering the subdued tones
OF both the officer and myself, l
realized that she spoke the truth.
Madge's Advice to Mamie.
The better for you" Officer |
Farrell returned sternly. Here"
thrusting h-lighrt into her hand
take this lady over to her home, and
then come directly back here. Good
light, Mrs. Graham"
He bowed with courtesy genuine,
albeit bit stilted, and then / was
outside, with Mamie holding the |
fiash-light so that its lights illumined |
our pathway
The big stiff" Mamie said an
grily when we were safely out of |
earshot. why shouldn't l listen |
when he's talking. and find out what |
he intends to do with u.s."
i paid a mental tribute to the |
girls ingenuity. That her real reason |
for listening had been to find out |
1 really knew anything con-
serning her aunt, ! was quite sure,
but gave no hint of my conviction.