New Britain herald., 1925-10-17

 tinguish it?"
 Billy gaped at him.
 You waved it eight times so," declared Hedge, illustrating. Waste energy. An unnecessary physical effort that might be em- ployed. extinguish match-so."
 He lighted one. waited until the flame had firmly caught the wood, then held 1t few inches from his lips and puffed gently. Waste of wind!" exclaimed Billy triumphantly.
 Not at all. It was necessary for me to expel my breath. merely took advantage of an inevitable by product"
 The Hedge person was thus far inpervioue. He had an annoying faculty of turning a thrust to his own advantage.
 There was all awful silence, dur ing which Constance and Billy eyed their substitute father fur lively.
 We will rise. If you please" he said.
 The Brookes rose mechanically, as though 1t were quite useless to offer resistance. Besides, dinner was over.
 "I should like to examine the other apartments on this floor" an- nounced Hedge. Constance, naturally assuming the lead, headed the procession out os the dining room. She touched a button at the entrance to an apart ment across the hall from the H. brary and flooded 1t with light. The efficiency man examined its rich furniture critically.
 From a pocket he had produced small notebook and pencil In which he proceeded to make few brief entries.
 What do you call this room 9 he asked.
 "Nothing particular" ansTered Constance; it Is used to receive guests occasionally for dances oi other entertainments
 "Paror." observed Hedge, max ing a note.
 Tt Is not a parlor," retortec Constance coldly. "Parlors are vul' gar"
 Nevertheless, the maker of notel made no erasure. Instead ht stepped across the room anc paused on the threshold of ; smaller apartment. "A music-room," explained Con stance. Beyond is a conservatory.
 Mfr. Hedge made additiona notes.
 "J wish to see the library again, he said,
 The procession retraceJ its steps Mfr. Hedge pausing at the hallUa, to extinguish the lights.
 Ut is customary to leave then burning" said Constance.
 "Evidently." But he did not turl them on again.
 The library, that apartment int which the efficiency man had mad his original entrance, afforded hin an extended opportunity for study He inspected 1t moro minutel' than the rooms on the other sid of the hall. He walked from en' to end and side to side, stoppini occasionally 10 examine q shelf o books.
 , He took nots of the great tabl in the center and of two writing desks that stood near window. 1 He observed with slight frowl f an innumerable number of electri v bulbs, all glowing softly througl their translucent glass. Several 0 ] them he turned out as he passed !. Circassian-valnut phonograp, arrested his attention. Tt plays tunes" explained Alic 6 sveetly.
 You have music here7" aske r Mir. Hedge. . When We desire it," replie 6 Constance. , And in the music-room also? ? d Certainly. l also have a plan upstairs"
 He made another note.
 q suppose that's too much mt sic,' growled Billy, with a glanc at his sisters.
 Exactly" said Mir. Hedge ever ly.
 He continued hia exploration ar
 presently arrived at small butto
 let into the wall. ,
 What Is that for?" he inquire
 Tt calls the butler"
 The efficiency man pressed
 then took out his watch and ke
 his eye on the dial. He looked , as Horace entered the library al stood at attention. "Thirty-two aconls," he 6
 served. Where did you come froI ! Horace?"
 "I was in the dining room. sir le "A distance of some twenty le twenty-five yards, You occupi
 thirty-two seconds in walking tn
 distance. Now, while do not r i'd quire you to run, hereafter I shi sr expect you to cut your time le half. That will allow you sixte' l. seconds ample. Please call tl ,e other servants and have them [ ys report to me here at once" e. It was a vide-eyed company tn ;h faced the etaelency man, vi ys Horace standing little in advan 10 and at one side. like 6 non-cor sr missioned o1hcer They stared 's the stranger with frank wond ae written on their faces, ld '"All here?" asked Hedge wi