Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-31
CHAPTER xxx.
A WARRANT.

THE officer and I we're in my stu
do when handed back paper
to the man. Somerfleld having
L carried of his bluff, my pulse
was quieter, and looked at him
quite calmly.
The paper he had given me to read
was a search warrant which asserted
that information on oath hath this
day been laid before me that certain
goods have lately been feloniously stolen
and carried away out of the dwelling
house of Bertram Fotherbury and that
this informant hath probable cause to
suspect that the said goods are con-
eealed in the house of Thomas Greno-
fen of Woodcot."
Wherefore it authorized and COM
lnanded Stephen Hallett. with proper
assistance, to enter the house of Thomas
Grenofen in the daytime and there dill
igently search for the said goods and
If the same should be found upon such
search to bring the goods SO found and
also the body of the said Thomas Gren-
ofen before his majesty's justice OF the
peace ..
!. What's it all about? It's hardly
pleasant to have ones house under sus-
picion. Il hope you'll be careful not to
annoy my mother and to give the serv-
ants as little cause for gossip as posi-
BILE. Otherwise you're quite at liberty
to look anywhere you like for anything.
Liberty" said he. II don't want to
annoy anybody But you'll collect all
the inmates of the house in one room,
please6
His manner was unpleasant.
IT don't know that I'll do anything
of the sort" said I. You can collect
them yourself if they'll come. If you
are a police officer you ought to know
how to behave in another mans house.
You can get on with the job. But han
die mg pictures carefully. I'll go and
tell my mother the house is being
searched
You'll stay here" said he.
'I'll; be hanged if I do! Does your
warrant entitle you to order me about?"
But the door opened and my mother
came In.
"Hullo, Tom said she. Good gra-
ciouS, another! What are all these men
doing about the place."
Menu I cried. HAS he brought an
army? Have they been annoying you?"
"0h. dear. no!-merely amusing me.
was going out to the garden when
man said I couldn't go that way. He
said he was police officer. I went out
by the front door and there was an
other who said couldn't 60 that way.
So I thought I'd come and see you.
What's 1t all about?"
Heaven knows said I. Some out
rageous Official folly. This person has
q search warrant. You, sir, will you
kindly do your job as quickly as posi-
BILE and leave? Mother, you'd better
stay here with me. He wants the cook
and Mile fEttthe same room. Do you
mind?" 70
mo. of course"
My mother had come to my side and
taken my arm. She squeezed it hard
and saw that she was looking at the
safe, gathered her under my arm to
reassure here
IF you touch that bell" said to the
police officer, Il viii ten the cook and
maid to come here"
He pressed the button.
"You just missed Somerfleld, mother"
said. He's going to London this aft
ernoon and down to Oxford tomorrow.
Going to take that photograph wanted
of Tom Tower" ..s
"Splendid!" said she. ooh, Mile"
to the girl who came in, tell cook to
come in here, and come with her your
self" -.
While we talked the police officer. I'M
happy man, had been peering around
the studio. 1t was bare room and
contained no potential hiding places
I'll have the key of that safe and
the combination" said he.
took not the slightest notice of the
remark. His eyes began to CLINT.
Did you hear what said?"
NO. replied. i never hear rude
statements"
I treated the man abominably and
was thoroughly ashamed of it. But /
had to make an atmosphere, and I
made IT, His confidence visibly wilted.
Then my mother came to his rescue.
I'm sure IL there's anything pri-
vate in your safe, Tom, the gentleman
will respect 1t" said she sweetly.