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you.‘Joe? What new stunts have you been
ill) to lately?”
man at drst attempted to deny the
identity thus put upon him, an glared an-
grily at Ed, while his chin bled slightly
where the skin was in .
‘No use, no use, my man. We already
want you for that back porch job up near
Thomas Circle last summer. 1: the
dren by your chalk draw-
ings of them on the garden pavement. while
your pal left the‘house by the back porch
with a good share of the family jewelry
and silverware.” .
The captain turned to Ed and again
shook hands.
-‘l see you can use your eyes better than
I. Yes, liir. Chilton, it was that I,11)'steri-
down at the Annapolis Naval Academy."
Meanwhile Edna had been having anoth-
er identincation fit all by herself. When
Ed snatched the beard om, she gasped. then
slowly retreated to the further end of the
strong room. -
“Don't let him come near me,” she ex-
claimed. “I myself gave that man a posi-
tion as under helper in the stables hack of
our house. Or rather, I induced mother
to employ him. He looked so wretched.
‘and seemed to care so little what he was
"Part of the plan, my dear young lady,”
said Captain Jones, who was highly elated
at the double capture and recognition.
will bet his forged letters of recommenda-
tion looked good to an unsuspicious mind,
too "
r
P!
After this there did not seem much to
do but to take the two men to the sta-
tion, under a charge preferred by Detective
Sharp, for'the Security 0.
The jewel-case was again brought forth,
its contents intact. just as an‘automobile
scorched up from the Capitol.
going to dine at the Bairds, and then at-
tend the reception at the” British embassy.
CHAPTER XIV.
ED MAKES AXOTIIER CAPTURE.
When the general facts of the case had
been briefly explained to Mr. Baird by the
security people and Captain Jones, that
senator turned to Ed and,said:
“i find that I am again indebted to you
for 2: sagacious course in averting what
might have heen”a serious loss to Mrs.
‘ Baird and myself.
Also Senator Crosby oifered his hand and
the; upon took occasion to congratulate
himself that his young reference hunter
was not likely to waste time when once en-
gaged in the war’
The cab was retained, for ’after Ed's
explanation of the substitute footman’s
strange behavior, the captain announced
that he would visit the Baird house in
company with Ed and Detective Sharp, to
see what they could make of Charles. x
Edna accompanied her father, and in-
sisted that Walford be permitted to ride
er.
“That cab will hold only two.” she said.
“I ought to know. for Ed and I have tried
it-have We not?"
“Yes, but I could crowd in somewhere.
when only men are going along. The cap-
tain.is a pretty large man, you know, but
I am only a boy.” '
All laughed at this. but Senator Baird.
seeing that Edna's heart was set on the
change, assented-with a proviso.
‘if you will let him carry the jewelry
and the case back with him. I feel quite
sure that he would like to give it toxmy
wife hims ." .
Walford flashed a grateful glance at his
patron, who was playfully chucking his
daughter under the chin." p
1 course Edna assented, and presently
the automobile started with Edna and Wal-
ford on the front seats. “'alford.. at her
request, was to motor through the parks in
a leisurely way, while behind the two sena-
tors talked politics. The regular chaudeur
got up with the cab driver, while the cap-
, min and the private detective went inside.
This detour by the auto was to give the
cab time to get there hrst, so Charles
might be taken unawares, in case his arrest
was decided on
“ do we know that Ed can motor!"
lliir. Baird had blandly asked, when Edna
first suggested such an arrangement.
The girl laughed. Then she pulled her
parent's ear.
f‘Papa, you are such a goose! Ask Della
when you see her."
“ unable to see how asking Della
will mend broken bones to-day, should Ed
spill us out on the way."
“You should have seen the way he
scorrhed along that time he took us home
on the day when we all dined in the sen-
ate restaurant. Mother met us and opened
her eyes. Isn't that so. Ed?"
“I guess she thought we were going
some. for you made me turn and go home
another way-"
“That being the case, and if Ed is really
as much of a marvel at motoring as he is
at some other things. suppose you take us
over the same route you traveled then.‘
HAPPY -DA,Ys.
,- x .‘
at the house when the cab arrived. so I- ‘ Young. Rector, arm‘in arm with Lonny
The grave Senators winked at each other
when Mr. Baird made this proposal. tit
was a tacit suggestion to the young people
to make Mr. Baird-on nor-acquainted
with the flyaway route followed that af-
ernoon, when he was supposed to take the
girls straight home.
“Shall we go" that way, Miss Edna?” ask-
ed Walford. K
“Of course. But father will remember
that it was Della and I, not you, Ed, who
pointed out the route."
ce started, with the recovered jewel-
caso on the seat between them. the auto
fairly flew through the parks and out west-
ward. until the point was reached where
Mrs. Baird-appeared, and.they returned
home by another way. .
They were passing one small park in a.
circle at a whining pace. when Ed’slowed
up to the curb with a suddeuness that
brought the talk on the back seat to an
abrupt onclusion.
“What is the matter now-sparker
wrong?" demanded lllr. Baird peevishly.
.“You were doing nne, Ed. but-'hal Is that
our Charles?
Walford had already‘jumped from the
motor car, pushing the jewel case into
Edna's lap.
“Please.Walt for me a minute; I see a
policeman."
Seated on a settee in the little park, Ed
had noticed Charles, studying a. railway
time-table.
When he jumped up to go. Mr. Baird rec-
ognized him, and Walford had slid the
motor behind a bordering hedge,
Alrea was rounding a corner of
this hedge on foot, while 2 tall patrolman
came .swinging his stick from the other di-
rection.
Charles, still unsuspicious, was walking
through a gate midway between the two.
Evidently the officers in the slow cab would
not dud their man on duty at the Baird
H133 OD.
Charles. with a grip in one hand, and
one of Senator Baird's overcoats on his
arm, saw Walford.approachlng. I
He turned in the opposite direction. The
auto could not be seen from this point.
Walford signaled to the officer from behind
Charles’ back. and when the. policeman
hesitated ‘the boy called out:
“Ofdcer, arrest that man. He is wanted
for larceny-quick.”
With Ed’s drst word ,the disgruntled
footman darted off across the circle so as
to hit a cross street. . '
Both Walford and the policeman set out
on a run after ‘ Their angle of pur-
suit was such that Charles saw he would
be headed oil‘. .
Not liking to meet the policeman's stick,
and animated by a feeling of hatred to-
wards ihe lad ‘who had,foiled him before
that morning, the footman wheeled and
came towards Walford. .
He had dropped the overcoat to expedite
his flight. but he now brandished the grip
as if it were a club or missile.
“I'll do you up for what you've done,“
he shouted as he drew near.
c ance of escape was almost impos-
sible unless he could cripple and dodge Ed.
one down. But he was more wary an
sharper-eyed than the other, and also more
alert to sidestep and duck.
grip, missing Walford’s head, slid
down his back harmlessly. carrying Charles
along with it, because of its weight
Ed wheeled to the left, and delivered a
still‘ jaw punch that fairly lifted Charles’
head back, as it landed on the point of his
c in.
“That is the best lick I’ve ever hit yet."
thought Ed. when the man collapsed and
fell in a heap to the asphalt.
he policeman came up. swinging his
now useless c u .
“See here. kid, you're a good one. What's
he done?”
“I think he is connected with a robbery.
Anyway, othcers were going for him where
he had a job. I saw him, and did not want
him to get away."
“And you knocked him out for that?"
The odlcer seemed slightly shocked. though
he took the precaution to keen near enough
to both, in case either tried to get away,
to be able to prevent a move.
Charles now began to squirm about, as
it getting on his feet was a job equal to
raising up the monument, had the last
fallen over.
To Walford's great relief ihe auto now
appeared round the hedge circling the little
park. Senator Baird was steering.
“There are my people,” spoke up Walford
promptly, as he saw the policeman look
up. “Are you satisfied?"
When Walford's companions rolled along-
side, Charles was himself again. Ed had
picked up the discarded overcoat, and the
onlcer had the grip. which had become un-
fastened, disclosing silverware inside.
“Well. well.” said Senator Crosby. look-
ing drolly around. “What new adventure
have you embarked upon now. Walfor "
. aird can answer that as well as
X," was Ed’: discreet reply. “I had to leave
you all in a hurry. for I saw that Charles
was going. I knew they would want him
so I went for him the best I knew how."
“Ed,” whispered Edna to our hero, as he
came close, “you are a wonder. Is not that
some of our plate?” .
“Yes. and here is an overcoat that looks
too good for a servant to wear.” Ed hand-
ed Senator Baird the overcoat that he had
picked up, while the policeman guarded
Charles. , .
“That looks like my new astrakan storm-
coat,” remarked Mr. Baird, inspecting the
garment. “Yes, here is my name under the
collar. ’
No wonder the grip was heavy. It was
nlled to the brim with all the plate that
Charles-as a trusted substitute for Rob-
ert, who waited on table-could hurriedly
lay his hands on at two hours‘ notice.
>“0i‘licer," said Mr. Baird. “You know
where I live?"
“Certainly. sir. Just around the corner
in Rhode Island avenue.”
l “Please bring the prisoner there at once.
Don't let him escape, for there will be
ofgcers waiting to identify him. Come,
E ..
He insisted on the boy again taking the
steering wheel, and when the auto rolled
off he leaned forward to say:
‘Walford, I hardlyuknow what Crosby
thinks of all this. but I do.know what I
think of it, and of you." ‘
.“Pshaw, father!" Edna was-looking '1’
around at the boy at her side, and the two
elderly men behind. "Ed can do anything.
I never saw such a boy. I believe he will
be governor ofour State one of these days.”
“Now. Miss Edna," began Ed, coloring
highly. “You make too much of all this.
If you wished it. I would aspire to anything
-even to be a governor. .
The two senators laughed together, but
Edna leaned forward -more yet, as she
whispered in Walford’s ear:
“ o wis it, Ed." Then she looked
straight forward. .
- CHAPTER XV.
WALFDRD sroon APYALLEID.
When the party finally reached the Baird
mansion the cab had arr'ved
Charles was at once recognized by Cap-
tain Jones as a man whose picture was in
the rogueigallery. and who was wanted on
old charges, even more than the other two.
They took him round to the ’station-
house, and Edland Detective Sharp made
the charge, to save the senator the trou-
ble of going.
All these events had taken up so much
time that the dinner at Senator Baird's was
rather hurried, though Walford was mode
to remain and parta e.’
After that, all the oldsters made an elab-
orate toilei: and went.to the Embassadorial
reception.
Edna would not listen to Walf6rd's going
wo youngsters walked over
boys from that aristocratic neighborhood.
What was Ed's surprise to see Kos Har-
ris, fresh from home, walking through a
cotillion with Della as a partner. ’
“He came mainly to see me," said Della
afterward, “for I do like him. and his
mother is an old friend of fathers.”
“Fine girl, that Miss Della,” said K05 to
Ed. as they later went back to Capitol Ter-
race together. “Db you know, if I e e
got to be anybody. I would like to marry
such a girl as that."
Walford, rememberln some warm ex-
pressions that had escaped him. with Edna,
that night, could only wish his comrade
and fellow-page good luck. - ‘
It may be said here that all three of the
men concerned in the Baird robbery were
convicted, and sent to States prison for
lengthy terms, when their prior records
were taken into consideration.
After this episode, Walford became a
regular visitor at the Baird home.
Also that “kid's” party came od; and
it may be said that the two senate pages-
for Kos Harris was there, too-fairly lift-
ed some of the other boys. who had more
social and family pretensions-quite oi!
their feet.
Jim Rector, a great friend of Lonny
Baird, the senator's oldest son, then home
from a. course at the Columbia Law School
--was quite put out. because Edna would
not e up a quadrille with Ed to stroll
in the conservatory with Rector.
He tried to take it out of Walford later,
by attempting to trip that modest youth,
when the last-was taking Edna to a seat,
after the dance was over.
Edna saw the move. and as Ed stumbled
and nearly fell, beard Rector and one or
two more laugh loudly.
Walford himself hardly knew what to do
or say. As he seated her Edna pinched his
arm, and drew him down by her side,
“I w how‘ you feel." said sh . "I
saw it all. How mean and caddish a little
money makes some fools-don't lt‘."'
Walford smiled enlgruatically. lie hard-
ly knew what was coming next. but thought
it best to move away. x
“Don't go-yet." said she. “Ah-here
ihey come. Don't say anything. Let me
manage it-with Lonny."
-1
Baird. and followed by two or three others". -
was drawing near. Harris and Della had
also seated themselves close by. .
“Lonny,” said Edna, “Jimmy tried to
trip us just now. I think he ought to
apologize-don't you?” .
“If he really did, intentionally, I guess he
should. ”' t mystided.
“ oys oughtn’t to trip the girls up, you
n w "
N‘
o .
“Mr. Rector,” said Edna. femlnlnely
shifting her ground, “you ought to be
ashamed of yourself. Apologize to Mr.
Walford.” v
“I will apologize to you every time,” said
Jim, casting an ev look at Ed. “But to
that fellow-well, hardly."
Edna rose, and it was a treat to Walford -.
to see what dignity the half‘-grown girl as- ‘
sumed. She pulled Ed up with h r
“Jimmy.Rector." said she. “you are a
cad. I've thought so for some time; now .
n . . ,
I know it.
And she marched Walford and herself
out of the dancing rooms, to one of the
drawing-rooms. Here she gradually gath-
ered the cream of the party around them, -
by seating herself at the piano, and playing
all sorts of music, like an eliin witch, while
she made Ed turn the leaves. . 4
ings, just because he liked her.
“I know the feeling," returned Walford. ‘
avfter shaking hands. “You are not the‘
only one Miss Edna makes a fool of. and 3
yet we all like her the better for it."
The long session ran its course.
came an extra. session.
Walford faithfully stuck to his page
duties, and always responded when Crosby,
or Oliver. or some other senator gave him
extra work to do, for they paid him with
n,liberality that astonished him at times.
on’t you see?” said Kos. more than
once. “They do this because you have done
things that no other page ever tried to do
g .,. .
Then
e .
"Psbawl ,When you talk like that, what
know I will s
and I think they are kind because they
know they will have to waste their money
on you-and others, who will not put it to‘
good use." .
“Have you really saved anything, Ed?"
“All but what I send home to the folks.
You see, I'm going to study law in earnest
next year. and I want something to depend .
on while I am at it.” V - '
As for Mr. Baird himself, though he had
said but little, be had observed the steady
course.-pursued by this lad so long and
faithfully. ”
One day in the following year. however.
his patron sent for him after the senate
had adjourned from an executive session,
that lasted far towards bedtime.
“Walford.” said the senator, “after this
year you will no longer be eligible as a ..
page, on account of age. My son Lonny
has just opened a law office in Balrdvilleu
My own name appears as a silent partner.
How would you like to go back home and
enter that office, complete your studies. get
yourself admitted to the bar, and start out ‘ A
in the way your father did’!
“Nothing would please me better, sena-
-n
o
r. ,
“Well, come around to our house. to-mor-
row night about nine o'clock. I will be
back from the I ite House by then, and
will see you in my study there. We will
discuss particulars and ways and means. I
think you had best resign here, and :0
down to Bairdville after this Congress ud- ‘
journs."
All this suited Walford nne, and he said ‘
as much; so the appointment was duly
They shook hands upon it, and
separated.
Promptly at nine Walford rang the bell
at the senator’s house. No one came. -
senator's family was at the White Sulphur
prings, except Edna, who would not leave
her father until he could go down after the
session was over. '
..-,. r t,
i
i
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Surprised that no one answered the ring. A"
Ed tried the door. To his amazement it
opened. and he walked into a lighted vesti-
bule. that led into the reception hall.
Being much at home. the lad crossed the
hall, to the small room used by Mr. Baird
as a study. He opened the door, after
knocking in vain. ,
The room was brightly lighted. There
was an omce chair overturned before a
desk, and on the door lay Senator Baird,
seemingly lifeless.
in, red line ran from his temple down
his cheek and puddled darkly on the thick
car et.
Walford stood appalled. Then he heard
another door open.
The horrorstricken face of Edna appear-
43.
(I'D nu cosrxxrrno.)
.............................+...........
x
‘ A detective story of high mer.
L00k I it. Out to-day in usrzcamv
SERVICE” No. 537. Don't miss “The
Bradys at Dead Man's Curve: or.‘ Solving 3 ;
Mystery of Union Square.” It.ls one of thg
best in this series. ‘ " 0
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