Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-12-19

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JOYOUS surprise, marry me on one OF
the other days. There are so many"
Yvonne listened intently. DO you
hear anything peculiar overhead"
she inquired. I'm my aunt's ROOM
The strange sounds went on-tap,
shove. tap, shove. and a, scrape
Like a. new dance" said Cyril
judiCially.
They toiled up the graceful stair
of the duplex apartment. Their
laughter was cut by an inexplicable
and shrill scream. The door of Miss
and Elsa stood there.
come quick. She's tied to the Nor
ris chair"
She stressed Morris" as If, as
Billo said later. a Morris chair were
the very worst kind to be tied to.
1t was strange interior presented
by Miss Caroline Claudes pretty Law
ender room-drawers upside down on
the floor, boxes upside down on the
bed, and Miss Caroline Claude her
self bolt upright in her Morris chair,
to which her waist and her wrists
were securely tied. The telephone
was ringing, with that air of weary
which has been ringing for some time
quite against it's will.
Answer that telephone, please"
said Miss Caroline Claude. land IL
they say they can't have the set
marked by tonight tell them they'll
have to-" ,....
But, Aunt Caroline" cried
Yvonne. 81.
please do as..I ask you,' said Miss
Claude, GROSSLY. THERE knew it:
Tell them-that's it. Tell them i.
Oh, they say they will do 1t, don't
they? That's much better
'Shall--shall | unite you, Miss
Claude?" inquired Cyril Burch.
Miss Claude appealed to Billo.
What do you Think" she wanted to
know, with the grin which they all
loved, from one corner of her mouth.
Don't be an idiot, Cyril" Billo
supplicated. Got a knife? No?
Well, take these embroidery scissors
and loosen up her other hand"
But, Aunt Caroline" cried Yvonne.
"Who did it? Who"
THAT was Butcher, wasn't 1t, on
the telephone?" asked Miss Caroline.
"Elsa-is anything the matter?"
Elsa was sobbing. II thought
heard something" she related, land I
come IN tnaC door
Yes, Elsa, was right here at the
time" Miss Caroline reminded her.
Thanks very much, and get your
sweeping done, please. before lunch. +"
Elsa gasped. gaped, sobbed once for
good measure, and departed.
"Yvonne," said her aunt, could you
go down this morning and buy two
presents for me that I've overlooked"
Billo took a firm stand. Miss
Claude" he began, with character, II
don't want to interrupt you, but may
I call your attention to the fact that
you've been robbed?"
What? Oh, he didn't get any.
thing" Miss Claude assured him.
Eat least, only that lockwood case
he made off with that. But I didn't
have anything in 1t but some beads,
and beads don't become me. And l
never did like teakwood."
But are you sure; darling" cried
Yvonne, that he didn't get anything
else?"
quite sure" Miss Claude assured
her. II watched him the whole time.
He wasn't a very good burglar"
But why didn't you scream?"' de-
manded Cyril BuFch. a. -~
LAS Cyril would?" Billo completed
it.
w nat! why, L was gagged or
whatever they call it disgusting
word, isn't 1t? I worked that off-the
muscles of my jaws are in very good
condition. Yvonne, what I want you
to get is two silver-backed--'
Billo took Miss Claude by the arm.
Miss Claude" he said, as to the
deaf. you have been robbed. 1t is
customary in such cases to call the
police" - -"
She glared up at him. Haven't 1
enough to do" she inquired haught-
lily. without bringing the police into
the house?"
Cyril Burch took hand. But.
Miss Claude" he said, his excitement
still very little abated, you ought to
try to apprehend the thief"