The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1924-01-23

rings, Benson, I wish you 10 dupll.
cate the dinner table az ! remember
II. paying particular attention 70 the
exact position OF each article, Mrs.
Howett will doubtless DO ablo 10 as
alst YOU IA this"
VERY good, sir" said Bengon-but
HIS voice bctokened bewilderment II
viii ueo Mrs. lIowott az once, sir
Replacing tho receiver. Harley took
n bunoh OF keys from his pocket and,
crossing tho office. locked tho door
Ho then retired 10 his private apart.
mentA and also locked tho oommunl'
eating door, a few moments later he
came out Of "Tho chanccry Agency
aud proceeded in tho direction OF The
Strand,
IA no alighted from cab before
tho house Of tho late Sir Charles.
henson opened the door. we have
just finished. sir" no said. ms Har'
ley. handing his hat and cane 20 the
butler, II will SEQ her In tho dining
room. please"
Benson throwing open tho door.
Paul Harley walked into tho room
which so often figured In his vain
imaglnlngs.
Browa contracted. Harley stood
Just inside the room. looking slowly
about him. And. as no stood 30. an
interrogatory cough drew his gaze 90
tho doorway. IIe turned sharply. and
there was Mira. Howott. pathetic nc.
Ito figure In black.
"Ah. Mrs. Howett." said Harley.
kindly. "pleaso try 10 forgive mo Tor
this unpleasant farce with It's pain.
ful memories. But have good
reason. think you know this. Now.
as ! am naturally anxious 90 have
everything clear before Aliss Abing.
don returns. viii you DO good enough
90 tell mo II tho table IL at present
yet exactly as on tho night that Sir
Charles and came in 10 dinncr7"
no. Mr. Hartley" was the an.
Hwcr. that was what was anxious
20 explain. The table is now laid as
Benson left Il on tina, dreadful
night"
"Ah. ace. Then you. personally.
made some modificatlonA7'
Il rcarranged the flowers and
moved tho center yase--so." Tho
me,hodieal old lady illustrated her
words. Il also had tho dessert spoons
changed. You remember. Benson r.
Benson inclined his head. From n
sldeboard no took out two silver
spoons which he substituted for thosa
already set upon the table.
Anything else, Mrs. Howe,t7'
Tho table Is now as left Il. air.
few minutes before your arrival.
Just after your arriaai found Iones.
/ the pariormaid--a mos, incompetent.
impudent Rirl--altcring tho position
OF tho seryicttos. At least. such was
my impression"
"of tho seryie,tesi" murmured
Harley.
"she denied g." continued the
housckocper. speaking with great ami.
nation. "but sho could give no ex.
PLANTATION. II was tho lhs, STRAW.
sho took Zoo many liberties alto.
gcther."
"A Harley remained silent. tho old
lady ran on anlmatodly. but Harley
was no longer listening.
This Il not tho same table iiHeu7'
no asked. suddenly.
'why. no. air." replied Benson.
Last weeks linen viii be AZ the
laundry"
1T has not gone yet" interrupted
Mrs Howc,t. Il was making up tho
list when you brought mo SIR. liar.
lsy's message"
Paul Harley turned 20 her.
May ask you TO bring tho actual
linen used AZ table on that occasion.
Mrs. Howeitl" he said. My request
must appear angular. I know. but
I aaHurc YOU u Is no idle one"
Benson looked positively stupid.
but Mrs. Howcii, who had conceived
a sort cs reverence for Paul Harley,
] hurried away esel,odiy.
Continued In Our Next Tssue)