New Britain herald., 1923-12-28

VAS W34jlD- TOT Stltt'l. VI hlti'l-
 for any one is generally a nuisance,
 waiting for Screod was always likely to become an exiting adventure, You never knew how or when he would come. but although he had put me in many tight corners. and strained my faith aluos, 10 breaking rojnt. ho d. ways had turned up, Some day, no doubt. accident or an enemy will pre- vent his arrival. but that day, I fancy, sereed will h. beyond criticism. He will have joined the great majority.
 Last night he had given mo my in structions in Betty's teashop and l have always found il the safest plan to rarry out his instructions to the letter. This kept me slanping at my watch as stood on tho pavement outside a small tobaccoulsts m Bloomsbury, a small vaItsc m my hand, a travelling rug over my arm. screed was to meet me at eight-tbirty, but if he did not cdne within five minutes of that time i was To go.
 He did moi come and stopped a taxi.
 South Street No. 5." said and as the driver arinned, thinking, no doubt, WAS up from the country and lost in London. went oh; Yes. I know it i, only jus, round the corner, hut you ueednt ,a.c a f1urE course 10 get lus.rc am u a hurry.
 south Street va- dismal lb"roush- fare. unlikely tu tempt any onc who had TO, business in i;. once, monied people lived in the sauut houses; now, ,hoso which had not had tho ground floor turned into a shop, or been other wise adapted to business purposes, were r-capied in separate floors by n hand.to.mouth population. Tho police searched the neighborhood occasionally for absconainS bank clerks. and worse criminals and kept an eye on The l.adnor", conspicuous gin palace at tbs far end of tho street. As I turned the corner I leaned out of the taxi to see if by any chance Scrced were waiting for me here, thought l saw some one dive into the area of No, ,, but it was probably the area of the next house. because I knew that No. , was in single occupation. Families lived in the basements of many of ,hem. Exteriorly it was as dreary as any of its ueighbors. nteriorly l had reason to believe it would prove sur pe 1t did.
 Tho door was opened by a tall woman a black. g housekccper not a servant, Her hatr was turning grey, but she was not old. she was rather pleasant tu look at mothcrly in type
 is my uncle in?" I asked.
 Mr pigott is expecting you, Mir, Eamyden. Is that all your luggagc?'
 T booked the rest" I answered.
 pigott had become my uncle for the same reason that l, Burford Yates, had become Harry Ramsden-screeds instructions had never seen Pigott in my life, but | had heard of him. Everybody interested in ari knew of him. for although little on the ee- centric side witness his choosing to live in South Street, he was much respected dealer with a name Tor hon s~ty and reputation for loving his treasures so much that il was often very difficult to induce him 10 part with them. I was prepared 10 find, there fore that the interior of the house would be an improvement on the out side. but l was not prepared for such ar atmosphere Of comfort and luxury. The wide hall was softly carpetted, almost every available niche Of space ras occupied by some old cabinet full of rurios and china, CT by some old chest or wonderful chair The walls Of the hall. and ID the stairs. were GOV cred with pictures which even my small LrowledEe recognized as valuable, and I wondered what particular mystery was associated with old Pisott that I had been pitchforksd into this adren- ture. As usual screcd had told mc nothing. only gwen mo very precise instructions
 The master is not likely to remen- her you. sir" said fine ilousekecper as [ followed her. having planted mv bag. rug and hat on chest which might cnca have held ths treasure of span ish gslleou. "fis told me he had moi seer you since vou wers 3 boy"
 Thats right was doubtful fl he would want to sse me now
 AHs does Of course. he is growing old. and has changed a Ercat deal lately"
 T shall uot no,ice if.'' I answered.
 She opened door,
 Here is your nephew. afr. T'igott. .-
 The room [ entered was large ore ir Inc front of the house and through narrow gap in the curtains whirh were drawn. noticed that tin vin- dops were shtntercd. \ fire ~as burn ing uhich ou surh mid nigh; rns.la tho room oppressive. and before if in winged armchair sat an old man. lie looked round tho side of tfe chair as I enferea but lId rant at.etar.. L. ..st -..,