Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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f G'Ae '' Hollad :! if CHAPTER IV. I STARED at tho lines in damb bewlldoriucnt. "The man Rogers Is lying." But what conceivable motive could ho have for lying? Besides, as I looked at him on the stand, I would have sworn that ho was tolling the truth, and very much against nia win. I bad always prided mjMil upon my judgment of human nature. I lad I erred so egreglously In this Instance? "Tho woman who was with Holladay woro a gown of dark green." Who was the writer of the aete? How did he know tho color of her gown? There was only one poev afble way ho could know?ho know Mm woman. Plainly, too, be muat hare heeu present at the morning hearing. But, If he knew *o much, why did be not himself come forward? To this, tee, there was hut one answer? he must bo an accomplice. But then, again. If he were an accomplice, why should he Imperil himself by writing this note, for It could very probably he traced? I found myself deeper In the mire, farther from the light, at erery step. "Do you wish to summon any witnesses, Mr. RoyeeT' asked the coroner again. "I shall be glad to adjourn the hearing until tomorrow If you do." Mr. Royce roused himself with an ef **Th*?k you, sir," h? nM. "I may ask yon to do that later on. Jnat at preaent I wish to recall Mr. Roger*." "Tory well,** said the coroner. And Rogers was summoned from the wtt r* Bess room. X looked at hlin attentively, trying to fathom his thoughts, to read behind his eyea; but, look as I might, I could see nothing In his face save concern and grief. tie had grown gray In Ilolladay's fflce, he had proved himself a hundred times a man to be rolled on, he had every masou to feci affection and gratitude toward his eraployor, and I was certain that he folt both. Ha received a llbor-.:l salary, I kucw, and was comfortably well to do. That be himself could have committed the crime or been concerned In It In any way wes absolutely unthinkable. Yot why should be He? Above all, why should he seek to Implicate his employer's daughter? Even If he wtohed to Implicate her, how coold he havo known the color of her gown? XVhat dark. Intricate problem was this that confronted us? In the moment that followed I aaw that Mr. Royce was studying him. too; was straining to find a my of light for guidance. If we failed now? I rend the note through again ? "a gown of dark green." And suddenly, by n kind of clairvoyance, the solution of the mystery leaped forth from It. I leaned over to my chief, trembling with eagerness. "Mr. Royce," I whispered hoarsely, "I bellevo I've solved the puzzle. Hold Ilogers on the stand n few moments until I get back." lie looked up at me astonished, then nodded as I seized my hat and pushed my way through the crowd. Oiic" outside tlio hui'dlng, I ran to the nearest dry goods Innse?three blocks hway It was, and what fearfully long block? flioy seemed!?then back" ng ;In to the courtroom. Rogers was still on the stand, but a glance at Mr. Iloyee toll nie that ho had cllcRed nothing new. "You take hiiu, Lester," ho raid as 1 rsnt down hoslcle him. "I'm worn out." Quivering with apprehension, I aro>e. It wa i the first time I had been given the center of the stage In no Important a ease. Here was ray opportunity! Fupposc my theory should break down, after all! "Mr. Rogers," I began, "you've been having some trouble with your eyes, haven't you?" He looked at :ne In surprise. "Why, yes.'n little." lie said. "Nothing to amount to anything. How did yon know?" , My confidence had come back again. I was on the right track then! "I did not know," I said, smiling for the first time since I had entered the room, but I suspected. I have bare a number of pieces of cloth of different colors. I should like you to pick out the one that most nearly approximates #the color of the gown your visitor wore yesterday afternoon." I handed him the bundle of samples, and as I did so I saw the district attorney loan forward over his desk with attentive face. The wltucss looked through tlio samples slowly, while I watched him with feverish eagerness. Mr. Itoyce had caught an iulcllng of my meaning and was watching him too. "There's nothing here," said Rogors at last, "which seems quite the shade, but this is very near it." He held up one of the pieces. With leaping heart, I heard the gasp of astonishment u'nich ran around the room. me juijuivu ?nc itrnuuiK iurwuru lu their chairs. "And what Is the color of that piece?" I asked. "Why, dark red. I've stated that al_ ready." I glanced triumphantly at the coroner. "Your honor," I said ns calmly as 1 could, "I think we've found the flaw lu the chain. Mr. Rogers Is evidently color blind. As you see, the piece he has ":'^v ' " < ' ?* ** i ^fVniifri^|Vifi m/yvn A Mystery j Of Two [ 9 Continents f CLV * I %T B'JRTON E. A STEVENSON T & Copyright. 1903. by I / Uenry K?It tiWI JL ComptLny 5 selected la a dart gveeu." Tbo whole audience socined to draw a deep breath and a little clatter of applause rau around the room. 1 could hear tho scratch, scratch of the reporters' pencils. Hero was a situation after their hearts' desire! Mr. Uoyce had me by the hand nud was whispering brokenly in my oar. MMy dear follow, you're the beat of us all. I'll uovor forget ltt" But Rogers was staring In uinazo meut Trom mo to the cloth In his hau<l and back again. "Grceul" he stammered. "Color blind! Why, that's nousonse! I've never suspected It!" }r "That's probable enough," 1 assented. "The fulling la no doubt a recent one. I Most color blind i?ersona don't know It until their sight Is tested. Of course we shall have an oculist examine you, but 1 think this evidence Is pretty conclusive." Coroner Goldberg nodded, and the district attorney settled back In his chair. "We've no further questions to ask this witness at preeeut," I continued. "Only I'd like you to preserve this piece of cloth, sir," and I handed it te Goldberg, lie placed It with the ether exhibits on his desk, and 1 sat down again beside iny chief. He had regain 4 all Ma eld time energy aa4 fe panares He neemed another man. "1 should like to recall hi la? Holladay's maid, If you please," bo said, and the girl was summoned, while Rogers stumbled daaedly off to the witness room, "You're quite sure your mistress wore a dark red gown yesterday afternoon T" he asked when the girl was on the stand again. "Oh. yes, air; quite sure." "It was not dark green? Think carefully now." "I don't have to think!" she retorted sharply, with a toss of her bond. "Aiisa iionuuay hasn't any (lark green (own. nor light one either. 8bo never wear a green. She doesn't like it. It doesn't suit her." "That will do," said Mr. Boyee. and the girl went bock to tho witness rooiu without understanding in the least the meaning of the Questions. "Now, let us have the office boy again," ho said, and that yoiuig worthy was called out. "You say you didn't see tho face of that womuu who left your office yesterday afternoon Y' "No, air." "But you saw hor gewnV" "Oh, yes. air. "And what color was It?" "Bark green, sir." "That will do," said our junior, and sank back In his chair with a sigh of relief. 'i"he solution had been under our hands In the morning, and we had missed It. Well, we had found It now. "Gentlemen," he added, his voice a-rtng, his face alight, as he sprang to his feet and faced the Jury. "I'm ready for your verdict. I wish only to point out that with this one point the whole cose against my client falls to the groundl It was preposterous from the very first!" He sat down again and glanced at the coroner. "Gentlemen of the Jury," began Goldberg, "I have merely to remind you tha.. your verdlet, whatever It may be, will not finally affect tills case. The police authorities will continue their Investigation lp order that the guilty person may not escape. 1 conceive that It is not within our province to probe this case further?that may l>e left to abler and more expe rleneed bauds?nor do I think wo should Inculpate any one so long as there Is a reasonable doubt of his guilt. We await your verdict" The jury filed slowly out, and 1 watched them anxlotisly. In face of the coroner's Instructions, tJbey could bring In hut one verdict, yet I knew froru experience that a Jury Is ever an unknown quantity, often producing the most unexpected results. The district attorney come dowu from bio seat and shook bands with both of us. "That was a great stroke!" he said, with frank 'admiration. "Whatever made you suspect?" Mr. Royce handed him the note for answer. lie read It through and stared hack at ns In astonishment. "Why," he began, "who wrote this?" "That's the note that was delivered to us awhile ago," answered Mr. Royce. "You know ns much about It ns we do. Bat It seems to me a pretty Important pleco of evidence. I turn It over to yon." "Important!" cried Singleton. "I should say so! Why, gentlemen," and his eves were aleamlnsr. "this was writ ten either by on accomplice or by the woman herself J" My chief nodded. "Precisely," he said. "I'd get on the track of the writer without delay." Blngleton turned and whispered n few words to a clerk, who hurried from the room. Then he motioned to two smooth faced, well built men who Bat near by, spoke a word to the coroIk - and retired with them Into the latter's prlvato office. The reporters crowded about us with congratulations and Questions. They scented a my#UjFJ. JXtelt UM JBAUfiT YiUU feiu " a*. MM??55?55' gletou? What was the uew piece of ? evident*? Was It tlie note? What fa wub in the note? b' llr. Royce smiled. w "Gentlemen," he said, "I trust that w my connection with this affair will end r< iu a very few minutes. For any furthor Infonnntlon I must refer yon to the district attorney. The ease Is In bis hands." v 113 But those men he had summoned into his otilce were Knrle and Johnson, the 10 cleverest detectives on the force. What ^ f did he want with them? Mr. Royce merely shrugged his shoulders, where- a' at the reporters deserted him and massed themselves before the door loto P the coroner's room. It opened In u moinent, and the two detectives came liur- b' rylng out. They looked neither to the right nor left, but shouldorcd their way cruelly through tho crowd, paying not the slightest attention to the questions ai showored upon them. Then the district attorney came out and took In the hi situation nt n glance. rc "Qcntlemen," he said, raising his it volco, "I can answor no questions. I ? must request you to resume your sents P or I shall ask the coronor to clear the room." Tlioy knew that he ineaht what he u said, so they went back to their chairs "? chagrined, disgusted, biting their nails, . striving vululy to work out solution to the puzzle. It was tho coroner's i clerk who created a diversion. a **Tlie Jury Is ready to report, sir," he p, unnouueed. k "Very well; Vr'u? them out." Aud ei tlie Jurymen filed slowly back to tbelr li seata. I gnzed at each faoe and cursod P the luexprcsslveuass of the human N countenance. . a "Have you arrived at a verdict, gen- w tleineu?" asked the corouor. w Wo have, sir," answered one of thein and handed a payer to the clerk. ?, "Is this your verdict, gentlemen V asked tho coroner. "Do you all concur in it?" V They answered in the affirmative as their names were called. k "The clerk will read tho verdict," ij said Goldberg. Julius stood uy and cleared his throat. "We, the Jury." he read, "impaneled u in the ease of Illrnm W. Hollnduy, tie- 4j ceased, do find that he came to his y. death from a stab wound In the ncclc, Inflicted by a penknife In tbe bunds of u a person or persons unknown." Xj CHAPTER V. tl TlIE coroner dismissed the Jury ri and came down and shook *1 hands with ns. * "I'm going to reward yon for ii your clever work. Mr. Soyce," he said, tl "Will you tako the good news to MLss t? Hulladay?" My chief could not repress tho swift flush of pleasure which reddened his tl cheeks, but ho managed to speak unconcernedly. V "Why, yes; certainly. I'll bo glad to, 1 If you wlsji It." he said. "I do wish It," Goldberg assured him, to with e tact and penetration I thought h admirable. "You may dismiss tho po- a Ucomnn who is with her." a Our Junior looked Inquiringly at tho s district attorney. e "Before I go," he said, "may I ask c what you Intend doing, sir?" "I intend Cndlng the writer of that t< note," answered Singleton, smiting. a "But, about MLss Holladay?" Singleton tapped his lips thought- v fully with hit pencil. tl "Refore I answer," he Bald at last, "I should like to go with you and ask her one question." | "Very well," assented Mr. ltoyce Instantly and led the way to the room where Miss ITolladay awaited us. I She rose with llusliing face as we entered and stood looking at us without speaking; l?tit, despite her admirable composure, 1 could guess how she was j racked with anxiety. "Miss Ilolladay," began my chief, , "this Is Mr. Ringleton, the district at- | torney, who wishes to ask you a few J quefiUona." t "One question only," corrected Slqgleton, bowing. "Were yon at your father's oltice yesterday afternoon, Mis* Ilolladay?" "No, sir," she answered Instantly and emphatically. "I have not been near my father's ofllce for more than a week." I saw him study her for n moment, then he bowed again. "That Is all," he said. "I don't think the evidence Justices me in holding her, Mr. ltoyce," and he left the room. I followed him, for I knew that I had lto farther part in our Junior's errand. I went back to our tabic and busied myself gathering together our belongings. The room had gradually cleared and at the end of ten minutes only rue coroner ana his clerk remained. "t They had anotlicr cose, it seemed, to open In the morning?another ease which perhaps Involved just as great n heartache and anguish as ours bad. Five minutes later my chief came hurrying back to me and a glance at his r beaming eyes told me how he had been v welcomed. "Miss llolladay has started home with her maid," he said. "Sbo asked me to thank you for her for the great n work you did this afternoon, Lester. I told her It was really you who had 1< done everything. Yes, It wasP he added, answering my gesture of denial. " "While I was groping helplessly r around in the dark yon found the way y to the light. But come; wo mvM get n back to the office." t We found a cab at the curb and Id a moment were rolling back over the ( AiiiA tt'ft ho/1 feornnoA/l ? UUU U>IH "lUIUlUt ages ago, as it seemed to rnel It was it only a few minutes after 3 o'clock, and I reflected that I should yet havo o time to complete the papers in the Ilurd cn*e before leaving for the uight. n Mr. Graham was still at his desk, 1 t< aud he at oucc demanded an account ^ of the hearing. I went back to my tt work, uud so caught only a word here ^ and there?enough, however, to show n t me U?t our mauler was deeyly Utfur- t< ited in tills extraordinary affair. a? ?r me, 1 put nil thought of It resolute from me ntul devoted myself to the ork In hand. It was done at last, id, I locked my desk with n sigh of sllef. Mr. Graham nodded to mo indly as I passed out. and I left the Bee with the comfortable feeling tat 1 had done a good day's work for ysclf as well us for my employers. A man who had apparently been tterlng In the hall followed me Into le elevator. "This Is Mr. Lester, Isn't It?" he dted as the car started to descend. "Yes," I said, looking at blm In surrlse. He was well dreaded. with ,ert eyes and strong, pleasing face. I id never seen him before. "And you're going to dinner, ureu't ?u, Mr. Lester?" ho continued. "Yes?to dinner," I assented, more ad more surprised. "Now, don't think me Impertinent," a said, smiling at my look of aaiuzotent, "but I w.\at you to dine with ic this evening. I can promise you * good a meal as you will gut at mo't laeei In New York." "Dut I'm not dressed," I protested. "i'ltot iWm't I.. !... mvwii v auMl.bt.~l 1U UJC 1VM9L cither am I. you boo. Wo will dine /lthout others.* " Where?" I questioned. "Well, how would the Studio suit?" The car hud reached the ground Uoor, ud we loft It together. I was couilelely Ui the dark us to my company's purpose, and yet It could have but oe explanation?It must be connected i some way with the Holladny ease, uleus- uud 1 glanced at hlui again, o, certainly, he was not a confidence inn?oven If he wus, I would rather elcorue the adventure. My curiosity on the battle. "Very well," 1 said. "I'll bo glad to ecept your luviiutlon, Mr."? lie nodded approvingly. "There spoke the man of sense, roll, you ahull not go unrewarded, lodfrey Is my name?uo, you dou't uow me. but I'll Boon explain myself. [erv'b my cab." 1 mounted into it, he after me. It itemed to me that there was an uusunl number of loiterers about the oor of the building, but we wore off k a moment, and I did not give them second thought. We rattled out in'o iroadwuy uud turned northward for te three mile straightaway run to inlon square. I noticed in a moment iat we were going at a rate of speed iiher exceptional for a cab, and it teadlly increased at the driver foand clour road befuro him. My compau>u threw up the trap in the roof of ic cab as we swung around into Tulrjouth street. "All right, Sam?" he called. The driver grinned down at us tirough the hole. "All right, sir," be answered. "They euldn't stuud the pace a little bit. hey're distanced." The trap snapped down again. We timed into Sixth avenue and stopped i a moment before the Btudlo, gray nd forbiddlug without, but u dream ritbtn. My companion led the way uptalre to a private room, where a table teed, ready set for us. The oystors ppoared before we were fairly seated. "You ?oe," he smllod, "I made bold i believe that you'd come with mo, nd so had the dinner already ordered." 1 looked at liLm without replying. 1 r&3 completely In the durk. Could Liis* be the writor of the mysterious "OJ court& you're puzzled," he mid. ote? But what could his object be? Lbove nil, why should he so expose lmself ? He smiled again as he eaught ny glance. "Of course you're puzzled," he suld. Well, I'll make a clean breast of the natter at once. I wanted to talk rltli you about this Holludny ease, nd I decided that t) dinner at the tudlq would bo just the ticket." I nodded. The soup was a thing to narvel at "You were right," I assented. "The lea was a stroke of genius." "T knew you'd think so. You see, lnee this morning I've been making nther a study of you. That coup of ours at the coroner's court this afterioou was admirable, one of the best Ulngs I ever saw." 1 l?OWod mv nolinnTrl?1ifnipnt? "You wero there, then?" I asked. "Oh, yes. I couldn't afford to miss . ?? "The color blind theory was a simple ne." "So simple that it never occurred to uy one else. I think we're too apt > overlook the simple explanations, dilch are, after nil, noarly alwuys je true ones. It's only In books that e meet the reverse. You remember 's Oaborlau who advises one always t distrust the probable?" f I don't agree with him." i mij "Nor 1. Now tnka thia cave, for In- gn fctanco. 1 th!r.k It'a safe to state that ttu tnurder, where It'a not the result of j < sudden passion. Is always ? unmltted ' ^ for ono of two objecte? r *vcnge or . < gain. Hut Mr. llolladay's p;. t life has i wo been pretty thoroughly probed by tin* ! an< report ore, and nothing bos been found 1 *v? to indicate that lie had ever mode a the deadly enemy, at least among the class 1 \ ; of people who resort to murder, bo that au( docs away with revenge. On the other hand, no one will gulu by b'.s death? Go many will lose by It?In fact, the wbolo tw elrcle of his associates will lose by It. Uu1 It might seem, at first glance, that his ?< daughter would gain, but I think she of loses most of all. She already hud all the money she could possibly need, and the she's lost her futher, whom, it's quite corlalll lilio IdvivI doiirlu Sn *v-l>nf t-rt ?i ? mains V'' i "Only one thlug," I said, deeply luter- Uqj oritfMl lu this exposition. "Sudden pas " slon." act lie nodded exultantly. yot "That's It. Nov, who was the worn- n.jt an? From the first 1 was certain It could uot be bis daughter?the very Br< thought was preposterous. It seems ? almost squally absurd, however, to flat suppose that Holladay could bo mlxel dot up with uny other woman, lie cor- not taiuly has uot been for the last quurter " of a century?but before that?well, It's ho1 not so certain. And there's cue strlk- out Lug point which seems to ludiuate his I guilt." wl' "Yes?you mean, of course, her rs- bis semblance to bis daughter." me "Precisely, fciuch u resemblance must " exist?a resemblance unusual, eveu ad< atriking?or it would uot for u moment not but o deceived Rogers. We must re- Yo mwuiler, however, tbat Rogers' otllco " was not brilliantly lighted and tbat bo hyi murely glanced at her. Still, whatever minor differences there may have been, it t she bad the ulr, the geueral appearance. L the look, of Miss iloiladny. Mere facial as rosemblauce may happen In a hundroa ways by chance, but the ulr, the look, *uj the 'altogether,' Is very different?It Lu- wu dicutea a blood relationship. My the- A ory Is that she Is an illegitimate child, perhaps four or live year* elder than udi Miss Llolluduy." " I paused to consider. The theory *" was reasonable, and yet It had Its mu faults. his "Now, let's see w here this lends us," lea he continued. "I.et us assume tbat to Holladay has been providing for this lnt illegitimate daughter for year*. At sat last, for some reason, he 1* Induced to anl withdraw this support, or, perhaps, the It 1 girl thinks her allowance Insufficient. " At any rate, after, let us suppose. In- "l* effectual appeals by letter, alie does " the desperate thing of calling at his Xlj office to protest Lu person, tiho finds th< him inexorable?we know his reputa- hoi tion for ebstlnacy when he hud once I made up his mlad. She rcproachoe " him?ebe la already desperate, re mem- " her?and he answers with that stinging I sarcasm for which ha was noted. In tin an ocstaay of anger she snatches up ws tho knife and stabs hiiu; then, Ln an agamy of remorse, endeavors te check gU the blood. She sees at last that it Is l'u useless, that she cannot save him, and dit leaves the office. All this Is plausible, tra isn't It?" tin "Vary plausible," I assented, look- * Lug at him In some astonishment "You 1 forget one thing, however. Rogers to*- cui tilled that he was Intimately acquaint- aw ed with tho affairs of bis employer uy and that he would Lncvltuhly have 1 known of any intrigue such as you mc suggest." thl My coinpanlou paused for a mo- bu n.eut'8 thought. Wl "I don't believe that Rogers would no so Inevitably have known of It," be sal said at last. "But, admit that?then bu there Is another theory. Holladay has cv< not been supporting his illegitimate tal child, who learns of her parentage and aid goes to him to demuud her rights. That q fits the enstf, doesn't It?" I s ' Ye3," J admitted. "It also la plausi- Up t.ln ?? -?!?. 1111 "It is more than plausible," lie said < quietly. "Whatever the details may tin be, the body uf the tlioory itself is tin- mi Impeachable? It's the only one which loc fits the facts. I believe it capable of tlx proof. Don't jou see how the note pu helps to prove it?" The note?" 1 started at the word, and my sns.pl- ; clous sprang Into life again. 1 looked at him quickly, but his eyes- were on , the cloth and he was rolling np Innumerable little pellets of bread. an4 "That note." he added, "proved two things. One was that the writer was deeply Interested in Jllss Holla day's welfare; the other was that he or she 'oc knew Rogers, the clerk. Intimatelymore than Intimately; almost as well ' as a physician knows an old patient." ro' "I admit the first," I said. "You'll i have to explain the second." * "The second Is self evident. Flow did the writer of the note know of Rqtf- *al era* Infirmity?" Avl "Ills Infirmity?" "perta Inly?his color blindness. I confess I'm puzzled. IIow could any one (a else know it when Rogers himself 111 didn't know It? That's whnt I should like to have explained. Perhaps there's B(" only one mnn or woman In the world s!' who could know. Well, that's the one J*1*1 who wrote the note. Now, who Is it?" "But," I hegan quickly, then stopped. J*'11 Rhould T set him right, or was this n trap he had prepared for me? Ja< Ills eyes were not on the cloth now, but on me. Tliere was a light in them ni" T did not quite understand. T felt that ,)ei I must be sure of my ground before I 1 nvm ivmuru, ,u "It should l>e very easy to trace the writer of the note," I said. on' "The police hove not found it so." . ev< "No?" 1 ' "No. It was given to the doorkeeper he< by a boy?Just an ordinary boy of from du twelve to fourteen years. The man didn't notice hiin especially. He said there was no answer and wont away. *,os How ore the police to ti*d that boy? 'nt Suppose they do find him. l'robably no' all U? could tell them would bo that a daI i J J- -.Jggigjjg* ill PtoppciT lilm fit the corner and vo him a Quarter to take Uiu note to ? coroiirr'* office." lie might give u description of the m," I ventured. 'What would a boy's description he rlh? It would he at the lxtu vng:?" I indefinite. BenUlee, they've iua u found the boy. Now, to return to ; note." Ve had cotne to the coffee and cigars. il 1 felt it time to protest. Before we return to the note, Mr. dfroy," I said, "I'd like to ask you 0 direct Questions. What interest re you in the matter?" The interest of every investigator crime," he answered, smiling. You belong to the detective force, at V" 1 have belonged to It. At presold t in other employ." And what wus your object in bring; me here this evening?" One portion of my object has been Hitnplisbed. Tbe other was to u?k j to writo out for me a copy of the !e." ' But who was iX pursued as up oadway ?" Ob, I have rivals 1" ht chuckled. "I Iter myself that war rather neatly ie. Will you give ire a oopy sf tliu :e, Mr. Lester?" No," I auswered squarely. "You'll fo to go to the police for that. I'm t of the case." le bowed across thy table to mo Lb a little laugb. As I. looked ut hi:u lmporturhuble good h,umor touched \ I'll tell you wue thing, though," 1 lod; "the writer of th'o note knew hlug of Hogers' color bUndncsj u're off the scant there." 1 aui7" he asked uiunzedly. "Then iV did you know It, Mr. Lester!"' I suppose you dotoctives would call Induction. I deduced It." \ le took a contemplative puff or two he looked at mo. ? Well," he exclaimed at last, "I must ' that boats me! Deduced ltl That s mighty clever." ^gaLn I bowed my acknowledgments And that's all you can toll me?" hs led. I'm afraid that's ull." Very well. Thank you for that icb," and he flicked the ashes from cigar. "Now, I fear that I most vc you. l'vo a good deal of work do, and you've opened up a very cresting line of speculation. 1 aa e you that l'vo passed a very pleasL evening. I hope you'Te not found lircaomc'f** Quite the contrary," I said heartily, vo enjoyed myself Immensely." Then I'll ask you one last favor, r cab la at the door. I've no fur>r use for It, and I bog you'll drive aio hi 1L" saw that he really wished it. Why, yos, certainly," I assented. Thank you," ho said, le took mo down to the door, called i cab and shook hands with mo irmly. Saoodby, Mr. Lester," he said. "I'm ul of the chance to have mat you. a not really such a mysterious InrlduoL It's merely a trick of the ida. I hops we'll xneot again soiuo is." 'So do L" I said, and meant It. auw iiiin stand for u moment on the rb looking after us as we drove ay, then Lie turned and ran rapidly the steps of the elevated. :he driver seemed In no hurry to get > home, and I had plenty of tlms ttv nk ever the events of the evening, t I could make nothing of them, hat result he had achieved I eon let t Imagine. And yet he had seemod Llsfied. As to his theory, 1 could not t admit that It was an adroit one; i?n a masterly one?a better one, cernly, than I should have evolved nuled. The cab drew up at my lodging and prung out, tipped the driver and ran the steps to the door. My landlady >t mo on the threshold. Oh, Mr. Lester!" she cried. "Such a 10 as I've had tills nlglit! Every' Ave* nutcs there's been somebody here, iking for you, and there's a crowd of' mi up fn your room now. 1 tried to, t tlieni out, but they wouldn't go!" [TO nE CONTINUED.] They Looked It. 'Notice any resemblance between ined me brudder?" 'Well, you botli appear to be buman; lugs." Tbe larger the bluff the sorrier Ir, >ks when It Is called. 2a sy money Is the kind that you boe-v w back from your wtfo. Aoc?nt on ttio Operatic Stave. \'o Englishman with daughters toukl u rasher thing than permit them to lie lessons from eminent professors tli a view of going on the stage. Tbe era stage in England scarcely c*s. At Covent CSnrden n woman wln> n speak good English can only get by force of social Influence ^nd. road a foreigner has very great dlf^. ulty because she cannot speak or ig with a perfect ncce?" . The for^ ;n lady or gentleman onies across re and on occasion ] .11 venture to ig in English, and their mistaken lug notlilng more than a smile to tbe Mis of the audience. Hut lot an Engfi singer go to France or Ciermnny, n Buiufuiiuj; roiaiiy differ cut hapu?. n lSf>7 Tamagno sang at Monte Carbcfore an aydience which was inniuFrcnch. Ho mispronounced a word, il n peal of derisive laughter covered m his stentorian notes. In Brussels, icard an American tenor laughed at ;*ause some of his vowels Were 1*0* Ite pure ? Brussels, where theirench is the most villainous, patois | re ever heard. In Germany 1 have. ird both French and English artists iglicd at because their accent was t absolutely correct.?Ixmdon KaturY Ucview.