Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-08-21

cess in which the little house stood
AS Bell sprang out, a large man or
the pavement met him. Both Of 'en
drove straight here from the office
sir. Only just gone in"
| Bell strobe to the house and rang
and rang again. 1t was some while
before the door moved. Then it open
ed only little way, and a mans
fabby face with watery eyes looked
round it. II am police officer.
have warrant to enter this house
Bell pushed the door back and went
in with Reggie, and two large mer
followed. Silent and adroit. they took
the man servant and put him into the
street, where careful hands received
him. and shut the door.
Bell stood still in the hall There
was a murmur of voices in one OF
the rooms. Its door opened. The
gaunt woman came out "Well?" she
said dcdantly. "Who may you be-
The men swept her aside. Bell ant
Reggie went into the room.
Two people We're in it. A plumr
old man with large brown face
under his white hair, the face OF a
| clever fellow who enjoyed life. A
woman, darker than he, black haired
bla ok proved.
what is all this, gentlemen" tbs
| man said.
Mr.. and Miss Cabot, alias Smith
SON." Bell inquired.
MY name is Cabot, and this is my
daughter. The name of my firm Is
Smithson & Company. But you have
the advantage Of me-"
II am Superintendent Bell. ! have
a warrant to search your house"
May / ask why"
II want the child you have here. "
,Ir. Cabot looked at his daughter
"Oh. our poor little darling" he said
slowly.
whats her name?" Bell snapped.
Il beg your pardon?" Mr. Cabot sud
denly became aware OF him. Her
name? Grace, Of course
Grace, of course"
Grace Cabot sir. I see that YOU
don't know our tragedy. My sons
child is mentally defective. 1t has,
Since she came here, or before?"
Mr.. Cabot licked his lips Il see
that YOU have picked up some scandal
She waS--''
Where is she?"
"Oh, Ill find her." Miss Cabot
cried.
But Reggie was at the door first.
He went before her into the hall.
Miss Cabot followed him. calling,
Grace, Grace" and ran upstairs.
a moment he stood, then pointed
and one of the large men went heavily
after her Reggie moved to the cup
board under the stairs and unlocked
it and looked into the dark. I'm
friends" he said very gently. Come,
dear I'm friends"
He went in, CROPPED for the child.
and gathered her into his arms. She
was very frail.
Miss Cabot ran down the stairs.
80 you've found the dear creature.'
she cried. Her arm shot out.
Reggie swung on his heel. offering
her a solid shoulder. Hold her
wrist" he said
The large man behind her had both
arms in grip that brought a scream
out of her.
Take the child out of this" Reggie
said f1ercely. Take her to my place. .
But she nestled against him and cried.
All right. Get the woman off"
She was thrust out to the ready
hands in the street.
a ND then silence came upon the
house. The child felt it and raised
her face from Reggie's shoulder. us
she gomez" she murmured "Weally.
weally gomez"
Really gone. There's only friends
for YOU now. You're coming home
with me. But Just wait minute.
This man will hold you safe" He
tectives. Take her out. l will be
along soon"
He turned into the room where Bell
watched Cabot. The old man stood
by the window looking out "Perhaps
YOU will tell me what all this means.
superintendent" he was saving.
You'll hear what it means all
right Bell growled.
II see my daughter arrested"
YES. She didn't like it, did she?"
Reggie spoke to hurt
The old man swung around. who
is this person, pray"
That's Mr.. Fortune"
'Oh, the great Mr.. Fortune. Why
trouble him with our poor affairs"
"A pleasure" said Reggie. He was
watching the old mans face.
Il should like to see your labora-
tory"
MY laboratory? Oh, that's too kind
of YOU DO YOU really want to see it -"
"We're going to see it" said Bell.
But l shall be delighted to show
you"
Bell looked at Reggie. who nodded.
The old man Went upstairs between
them. He unlocked door and they
came into a room with a long bench
and shelves and sink and much chemi-
cal apparatus. Reggie moved to and
fro. looking at the array of bottles,
opening cupboards.
"Ah. do you like that" The old
man came forward as he fingered by
an arrangement of TASKS and tubes.
It's a method of my own He be-
came technical, skilled fingers moved,
demonstrating. And here" he open
ed a drawer and bent over it, here
Yes. I see" said Reggie. and
caught the hand that was going to
| his mouth.
Bell took the old man in his solid
grip. The hand was opened and pro-
duced white pellet.
Not that way, Mr.. Cabot" said
Reggie. Not yet"
You go where your da lighters
gone" said Bell, and called to- the
detective to take him away.
Reggie and Bell looked at each
other.
What was 1t the old scoundral was
doing here. sir?'