The daily monitor leader. [volume] (Mount Clemens, Mich.) 1942-19??, 1943-02-23

of Importance near the front
door, Corby the butler moved
majestically to answer it.
Mrs. Claiming is wanted on
the telephone in Mr.. Claiming S
office" sounded thickly in Cor
by's butler;an ear. Some belat-
ed guest, it appears"
Then, back in the den, Miss
Meath put down the house
phone and took the receiver
from the instrument that con-
nected Mr.. Channing's sanctum
with the outside world. After
which she stepped swiftly be-
hind one of the mulberry-color-
ed Grapes at the window. The
drape reached to the floor. 1t
completely oblitera I e d Miss
Meath.
She had but short vigil. Pre-
sently footsteps sounded. And
Meath, pepoing cautiously from
the arras, was gratified to see
Mrs. Charming enter the dimly-
lit den and make straight for the
recumbent telephone receiver.
Hello" Mrs. Charming said,
in a party voice. Does someone
wish to speak to me?"
Even as she spoke, an arm,
like a long white snake, issued
from the mulberry drape. For a
second it wavered in mid-air.
And then, as far as Mrs. Chan
ning's diamond tiara was con-
cerned, it was a case of now
you-see-it, uow-you-dont."
oh" gaspcd Mrs. Charming,
suddenly aware Of a disturbance
in the region Of her hairdo.
What on earth :"
She dropped the phone and
turned. The next instant she was
entirely enswathed in mulberry
draperies. Gasping and choking,
she fought the clinging fabric,
vaguely aware of soft retreating
heCl-cllcks. Then the light in the
den went out.
Mrs. Charming, fighting cool
ly, won a decision over the null
berry drapc. She backed off, pu.
a hand to her head. 1t touched
nothing worth $4,000.
"Oh, DEAR" said Mrs. Chan
ming, shaking her head in an
noyance. What silly joke to
play! Now I'll have to 60 and do
my hair all over again.
Miss Meath's time for the
journey from Mr.. Charming S
den to a certain tree some 200
yards from the house mad been
a neat nothing flat. In the tree,
we'll within reach of a tall girl
such as Gertie Swan, there was
an aperture.
Miss Meath hesitated not. She
put the diamond tiara in the APP
erture.
"R. |. p, honey she whisper
ed to it lovingly. You're just
one little trinket that Mr.. Jo-
seph Baboon-Face Slyncniski
won't get his hands on
When it came to double-cross-
ing a pal, Miss Meath ranked
with the first 10.
But, as she slipped elsewhere
Meath did not stop to congratu-
late herself on her proficiency
as double-croSser. Instead,
coldly businesslike, she gained
the site of the summerhouse,
lately RACED by the mysterious
fire. Putting two fingers to her
lips, she achieved a low whistle.
Instantly there was an uphea-
val in the rhododcndrons.
is that you, Cracker" Meath
called softly.
Who" came in a throaty
growl, "d'ya t'ink it is, Fiorello
LaGuardia? And Mr.. Slyncni-
iski converged upon Miss Meath,
like the mountain upon Maho-
met.
Miss Meath surveyed the in
distinct bulk and laughed, chill
lingly.
How very very funny" she
said. What a gift of repartee'
Then her tone changed. well,
what's biting you now, you
heel? You seem annoyed"
who wouldn't be-" said the
Cracker aggrievedly. Its damp
in dem bushes"
Nov isn't that just too bad"
The edge in Meath's voice could
have shaved the prophet. But
never mind. Muvver will run in
side and get her little darling a
snuggle-bunny."
Jaw, lay off, Goltic, said the
Cracker uneasily.
We'll, stop beefing then. Now,
Cracker. l came to see If you've
got it straight. You understand
fbat ,,ot,'rc m copoo IN tho house