Part 47 (2/2)
”Who's in charge here?” cried Mrs. Burton, sweeping into the room with all sails set and drawing to the storm.
”I am,” replied Captain Stone, none too pleasantly as the gold lorgnettes were waved under his nose.
”Well, I came for my niece--produce her at once,” insisted the panting woman.
”You'll have to wait a few minutes,” answered Captain Stone, grimly.
”We're otherwise engaged at present.”
”But I have a warrant--I've ordered Mr. Gladwin's arrest!” she shrilled.
”We'll attend to that later,” snapped the captain. ”We're looking for a thief who broke in here to-night.”
”A thief!” exclaimed Mrs. Burton. ”Well, I saw him.”
”What?” asked the amazed officer.
”Yes, when I was here before, and there he is now, only he's got a policeman's uniform on.”
Mrs. Burton pointed an accusing finger at Michael Phelan, who proceeded to turn livid.
”You saw that man here before?” asked the wondering captain.
”Yes. He was in his s.h.i.+rt sleeves and when he saw me he ran away to hide.”
”Are you sure about this?” asked Captain Stone slowly, turning and scowling at the condemned Phelan.
”I should say I am,” declared the relentless Mrs. Burton. ”How could I ever forget that face?”
”C-c-c-captain, I-I-I w-w-want to explain”--chattered Phelan.
”There'll be time enough for that,” the captain checked him. ”For the present you camp right here in this room. Don't you budge an inch from it. That thief is somewhere in this house and we've got to find him.”
”Give me my niece first,” cried Mrs. Burton.
Captain Stone ignored the request and shouted to Kearney and the three men who had followed him into the room:
”Come, we are wasting time. This house must be searched again and searched thoroughly. I don't believe you have half done it. Lead the way, Kearney, we'll begin on the next floor.”
As they went out Sadie Burton timidly approached Whitney Barnes, who was still making the rounds of every policeman in the house and pleading to be unlocked.
”How do you do--what is the matter?” she said timidly, looking up into Barnes's distressed face.
”I don't do at all,” replied Barnes, tragically, folding his arms in an effort to conceal the handcuffs.
”Why, you seem to have a chill,” Sadie sympathized, with real concern in her voice.
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