Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-12-11
A A r. HENRY PITT" Peter
MI Bragg read out, studying

80 M Bragg read out, studying
NJ attentively the card his
4 visitor had presented.
My name" the new
conner acknowledged. dropping into
the clients chair
There was a brief silence. Mr.
Henry Pitt was a small. nervous man
with watery eyes, insignificant fea
lures, an untidy red mustache, and q
thin crop Of hair of the same color
His physique was puny. his carriage
unimpressive and his apparel not only
shabby but also Unsolicited. He had
by no means. the appearance of a
likely client
What can we do for you, sir?
Peter Bragg inquired, with some
asperity.
"They tell me that you undertake
all sorts of commissions. Have you
any one on your staff who could 20
so far as to commit a murder, and
what would it cost me-" was the I'M
expected rejoinder.
If your suggestion is seriously
meant" Peter Bragg replied coldly,
ut would probably cost you term
of Imprisonment when / disclosed
your proposition. as l certainly should
do. in the proper quarters. 1t is our
business TO detect crime, not to COM
NIT it,"
Peters partner, the Hon. George
Vincent Angus, strolled over from his
chair Il fancy" he observed smiling
alphabetically at this dismal-looking
little visitor, that Mr.. Pitt is not lit
orally in earnest"
Il don't suppose l am" the other
admitted grudgingly. Still if, by any
chance. anything were to happen 10
the person 1 have in mind, there'd be
no mourning worn in my Office
Have you any business of a def
mite nature to place before u.s." Peter
Bragg asked stiff1y.
Il have" the little man replied,
with unexpected spirit, "or l shouldn't
have come. l have a partner-his
name is Frederick Sinclair Hope. He
doesn't hold as many shares as / do
in the business. but he has a goodish
few. He has been with me now for
over three years.
What is your business?"
Produce merchants. It's rather
line of our own. We deal chiefly in
imports from India
And what is your grievance
against Mr.. Hope?"
The visitor sighed.
MY real grievance" he confided,
been losing money. We don't seem
to be able to make a deal, buying or
selling, that goes right. That may
not be his fault, of course. l amt
come here to grouse, anyway. There's
something else I've got against him,
and that's where l need your help.
Would you believe me, Mr.. Bragg
that man is driving me pretty well
crazy through sheer common or gar
den curiosity"
Explain, if you please"
Can you believe this? At five min
utes to 3 every afternoon on every
business day he takes up his hat and
leaves the Office At five minutes past
he returns Not one day a week,
mind, or one day now and then, but
every mortal day upon the calendar,
and this is the third year now that it's
been going on. He's never volunteered
a word of explanation as to where he
was going or what he was going to do.
He simply disappears. If anybody
wants to make an appointment be-
tween these hours, he declines"
Have you ever asked him where he
goes tor"
"Of course, have. I've asked him a
score of times. He only smiles or NUT
tiers something about a matter of
private business. once, when was
little irritated. because we were busy,
he as good as told me that he was a
partner in the firm, not an employee,
and that his time was his own to do
what he liked with"
''Have you formed any idea yourself
as to what he does?"
Something like hundred-and dis
missed them all. one by one. He's not
the sort of man TO play cards or bill
lizards in the middle of the day. He is
either a toff, or thinks he is, and all
his friends are up in the West End.
What can a man do with one hour