Gunnison news-champion., 1924-03-21

has the name Of being an eccentric per
son everywhere. especially IN TINS re
spect-he never notices acquaintance>-
I heard. only the other day. that "hiie
he was wonderfully hoSpitable ana
charming TO ali his guests. he never
rem-mbsred them outside his house.
Si,opland nodded
"A convenient eecentrlclty, he re-
marked. little dryiy. I have heard
the sam. thing myself You spent the
night at his country cottage. did you
not. Mr.. LedSamf Did he offer 10
show you over the Walled HouseT
How the dickens did you know j
was down thereT' Francis demanded
xifh some surprise. Il was just think
ing as drove up that hadn't lefI my
address either here or at Charges
street
Next time you Visit Sir Timothy.
the detective observed. Il should ad-
wise you to do 80. knew you were
there. Mr. Ledsam, because ! was In
itse neigilborhood myself. have been
doing a little fishing. and keeping my
eye on that wonderful estate of Sir
Timothy's."
Francis was Interested.
-Shopiand." he said. Il believe that
our inteIligences. such as they are. are
akin
what do you suspect Sir Timothy
Off the detective asked blunfly.
Il suspect him of nothing" Francis
replied .'Ile is simply. TO my mind.
an IncomprehensIble. somewhat sinis-
ter figure, who might be capable Of
anything. He may nave very excel
lent qualities which he contrlyes to
conceal. or he may he an archcrim-
inal His personality absolutely puz-
zles me-"
There was a knock nj the door and
Angrave appeared. Apparently he had
forgotten Shoplands presence. for he
ushered In another visitor.
~SIr Timothy Bras; To see you. sir"
he announced
TIE moment was one of trial Ia
every one. admirably borne. Shuplani
rengaind d in his chair. with only y
casnai glance "a, the newcomer Fruit-
cfs ruse TO his feet with a hnlf-stiiled
expression of anger NJ the cluuIsiuesE
NJ lis clerk Slr TiuniEy. WelI-Shaycu
rnh =renrnctl. aifIroh in q PERFECTLY
fitting sui; NJ gray flannel. n"i1lrI To
Francis ip friendl, fashion and laid
hls iIomhurg hat upon the table with
The mir ~ y familiar.
~! dear lA.dssln." he said. II d.
hope thai yun WIZ excuse this early
-all ca;;id ouiy have been mn hour
behind y"u on the road. ,larr s'y
you eiin euess what | have cuine To
ses. you shout. Can we hnve Il word
to=cthcr:''
Certainly" was the ready reply.
"Gou remember my friend slIupland
Sir Timothy? II was Ir. Sappiand
who rrresied young Fairfax that night
Il, So,o's.''
Il remember liiIu perfectly Sir
Timothy declared, Il rarcied. direct
~ sntered. thai your face was Ia
IniI'ar." he added. turning 10 Shnp-
land. Il am rather ASHAMED II my.
self about TINT ni.hr. My little out
burst must have soundrd a'mosi ri
'licuious n You TWO. To tell vpu the
trlth. ! dEitc failed al ihul time to
give Mr.. Lcdsam credit Tor gifts which
! have since discovered him To pos
spss.''
Mr.. S.iopland and 4 ARE now dis
'-us;'!ng another matter Francis went
- pushing 81 ioN OF cigarettes toward
sir Tiilo;iy, whp was 'eanln- against
The table IN IN easy attitude. Don't
-. Shapland, for Il minnie. We we're
consulting together about tie dlsap-
penrunce of u young man. Eesgl. WI
more. The brother of a friend of mine
-Antirew Wilinore. The novelist"
-Dlsappearance:" Sir Timothy re,
reated. as he lit cigarette THAT is
rather a vagne term
''rhe young man has been missing
from home for over n week." Francis
said, "and left no trace whatever of
his whereabouts. He was not In finan-
cial trouble, he does not seem to have
been enfangied with any young wom-
an, he had not quarreled with his peo-
pie. and he seems to have been on the
best Of terms with the principal at the
house of business where he was en-
ployed. His disappearance, therefore.
is. TO say the least of 1t, mysterious"
Sir Timothy assented gravely.
The lack of motive to which you
aliude, he pointed out makes the
case interesting. Still, one must re-
member that London is certainly the
cit! of modern mysteries. II new
Arabian Nights were written. IL
tni=hi weil be ;.5oui London. dare
say Mr.. Sl,cp.and w:li agree Will, me-"
he continued. turning conrteously to-
ward the detective. that disappear
ances OF this sort are not nearly so
uncommon as the uninitiated would
believe. For one that is reported in
the papers. there are half dozen
which are not"
Where do you suppose they disap-
pear tor Francis inquired.
who can tell9' was the speculative
M