The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1934-02-23
CHAPTER Nv

Smif's only advertisement had been
the cards which Charles had mailed
to list he had mysteriously procured.
Much to her disappointment and con-
trary to her expectations the business
that had come to her so far had
proved commonplace. Not an adj
venture in the whole batch!" She had
sighed to herself regretfully, and in
deed so 1t had proved until the ad-
vent of the man with the emerald
horseshoe.
An emerald horseshoe did not sug-
gest a friend of Charles. In fact
Sniff was sure his reaction to such
an adornment would have been quite
as violent as her sisters.
How then had the man heard of
her? Not that it mattered. OF course
she meant to see him. The oppor-
tunity to interview possible gunman
was unique
1t was. however, a fixed policy
with her to make those without ap-
pointments await her pleasure.
''Show the gentleman into the sec
ond waiting room" she said. "Then
go round the corner to the sandwich
shop. I'll have olive and cheese
sandwiches today. Toasted, don't for
get. You've still got money"
"Yes'm M" said Buttons. and vanished
on his Grand
This order for sandwiches was usual,
Sniff took her lunch there daily to
avoid dressing for the street.
To await Buttons coming, she seat
ed herself In a comfortable chair In
the lounge and lighted a cigarette.
1t had a well-nigh hypnotic effect in
calming her nerves, and before an en-
gagement with client she always tried
to empty her mind of speculations and
personal anxieties as well as Of her
previous cases. But she was accus-
toned to docile clients who stayed
where they were put.
Consequently she was unable to con-
troll start when voice at her elbow,
in anything but tone of apology,
said:
Excuse me, you're Madame Saitou.
aren't your"
The gunman, of course. And But
tons, her valiant protector, was absent.
''Yes." she replied. turning and fac
ing him Jelly, her eyebrows raised. her
whole air a resentment of intrusion.
Il am Madame Saitou. At the mo-
ment am engaged. When ! am ready
to see you, you will be notified"
And she turned her back upon him,
expecting him to accept his dismissal
Instead he came swiftly into the lounge
and seated himself on a chair facing
her, hanging his hat and coat on Its
back.
81 only wanted to tell you I didn't
want to see you at ALL" he remon-
strated mildly.
In spite of herself Sniff chuckled
It had struck her that this was very
gentle gunman. And there was some
thing charming In Smif's chuckles.
That's too bad" she said, still
twinkling, because you are seeing me.
aren't you? What do you suppose can
be done about it?"
Nothing" Her visitor looked at
her without cracking smile. His
face. melancholy In its lean brown
ness, was lit by gray eyes under
straight black brows. Eyes that were
looking at her with fixity that threat
ened to degenerate into stare. II
was not face that fitted the emeralds
It occurred to her that IT was not q
modern face. its like had looked out
upon her from canvasses by MoronL
SIN not so sure now that I don't
want to see you," he remarked with
an effect of casualness. plunging his
hands In his pockets and continuing 10
study her under contracted brows.
You're good. All this. you know
he withdrew hand. waved II around
the room vaguely and again plunged
1t back up TO the wrist
gro BE coNTINUED.)