Evening star., 1925-02-15
The Scarlet atch
E. PHILLIPS OPPENEEI1.


i dllCCS.
of inspecting the upper rooms was
soon concluded. Looking downward
from the front bedroom, Mr.. B1tton
noticed a taxicab standing outside.
'Is that your cab?" he asked.
The prospective tenant Of Heath
side nodded
II told him to watt
X X \
nANIEL ROCKIES close watch for
anything in the least unusual
connected with these two people
the only residents in tho vicinity who
seemed suddenly anxious to change
their quarters-was at last rewarded.
There was look of almost venomous
disappointment in his companions
face, as he gazed down at the harm
less taxfcab. 1t was an expression
which fingered only for q moment,
but it was unmistakable- Daniel
Rookie. affecting to notice nothing,
turned away.
Rather lazy of me not to walk
up" he remarked, but had Is holes
at golf this morning, and want to
finish UP with q little practice later
on. 1 shall be interested to sec what
accommodation you have on tho
ground floor"
My wife and are quiet people"
Mr. Britton explained, as he led the
way downstairs, "and we live nearly
altogether in the dining room and
my small study. This Is the drawing
room, however fine room, but
we've never properly furnished II.
This is my study" he added, showing
a small apartment. the walls Of which
were lined with bookcases. "Cozy,
Ia.
Daniel Rookie was examining the
volumes.
Are you q medical man, Mr.. Brit
TONI" he asked, pointing to one OF the
rows of books.
only an amateur was the curt
reply. Come along
Interested in Australia too. I see,"
his visitor continued. pausfng before
another shelf. "A colonist, by any
chance?'
NO" was the short reJoinder. The
books were an inheritance. Would
you like to see the gardens now"'
What is this room?" Daniel in
uuired, pausing before the door with
the Yale lock.
Little more than cupboard.
keep some oddments there - golf
clubs and things"
Daniel measured with his eye the
distance between the door of tho next
room and the window on the left.
"Lt must be a very large cupboard"
he remarked. Can l have look at
it,"
Next time you call. with pleasure"
the other replied. AS matter OF
fact. l have mislaid the key"
Daniel nodded. He seemed fndtf-
ferent about the matter. but he added
another fact to his little store.
THE gardens aren't much, but per-
haps you would like to have q look at
them" his companion suggested,
leading the way out of doors.
On the whole. they certainly tusti-
fed their tenants criticism. In the
corner near the footpath, however, a
very elaborate rock garden was In
course of erection.
You've put In a lot OF work there,
Daniel observed. thoughtfully.
st have. indeed" was the somewhat
grudging reply. Dug every foot OF
the ground with my own hands.
Waste of time, too. I'm inclined to
think now. II / were buying the
place I'd pull IT down and make
hard tennis court on the top.
"A capital idea" Daniel assented.
Your agent asked me 1900 for the
house. Is that your lowest?"
Not If price is material object,
Mr. Britton answered, with ill-con-
ceaIed eagerness. Tho fact OF 1t Is
we want to get away. My wife Is
nervous. She wants a Changing
at once I'd like to make clean Job
of it. if I could
"If / decide to buy the house, I will
make you an offer, then, through Mr..
Harrison" Daniel promised.
.Why not clinch the business nowT
the other suggested.
DANIEL shook his head, smiling, as
he stepped into his waiting taxicab'
You shall have definite news In the
morning" he assured him.
DANIEL ROOKIE caught fast train
II 70 town, and arrived at a great
public office at half-past 3. He made
his way to @ department which had
fiourished hugely during tho war, out
which was now considerably reduced IN
numbers, and was, In fact, in process OF
reconstruction. The chief, Col. Sir Fran
els worton. X. c. B., D. 8. C., received
him as an old friend.
What brings you hero, Daniei! he
inquired, pushing across box or cigar
cites.
"I came to ask for your help" was
the prompt reply. "Give me clean
sheet Of blotting paper. win you? That's
right Now let me have 50 seconds to
complete this work Of art"
With q few deft touches he produced
a very reasonable likeness OF Mr.. Joseph
Britton.
Look here" he continued. Il an In
search of a man. probably \ criminal,
who served through the war in some
capacity or other, who was probably an
Australian, and from whose hands and
other evidence, i judged him to be
either a doctor or a surgeon. He Is Hv-
ing with his wife in Surrey. and that Is
an impression OF him.
The chief glanced at tire sketch and
nodded approvingly.
Great gift, that, Daniel" he declared.
Certainly, 1 can tell you the mans
name and all about him.
Get on with it, please, then. The
matter is urgent
'Tf it's criminal affair. or anything
of that sort. you are going to be dfsap-
pointed" Sir Francis warned his visitor.
That is a picture Of Joseph Londe. the
Australian surgeon, who was given
baronetcy by the King. He was one of
the first Of the really great surgeons Of
the world in France, and, poor devil, he
paid for 1t ~
Tell me about it," Daniel begged.
He rigged up a sort Of travelling Held
hosDital for operatiOns and they cay