The evening world. Newspaper, October 13, 1922, Page 32

ee a re ee eg <a eye errr tee PERIL “THE EVENING WORLD, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1922. ~ THE HOUSE OF The Master MysteryStory Illustrated. by of New York i” LOUIS RACY Frederic Dorr Ste mete Durrane Tells Ace Club Sur- to bave any necessary Instructions, us all in the down and out class, Now, “It's a crazy thing @ raise @ kick Durrane “ certainty did not. Tt was the “No oft,’ : i ws ar ) ald Brown, ‘ for the Adirondacks as soon as I~ I'm glad you told me in good hold on a minute,"" for meveral ten about, anyho he went on, “And “I have salled down Lake Cham- first thing Brown warned me about.” ‘‘Then the answer is?” can be spared from the enquiry.’* vivors That Murder Could time,” said the Chior Were about to fire interrogations at where's the use? We could chin here plain and Lake George once. Al- ‘Then I ask you both: Why should ‘‘That some one moved a glass and “Then you'll go to-mprrow night!"’ H. B C ‘ It was while the coffee was being the speaker. “I'm not formulating a all night, and get no forrarder. If though I'm a Vermonter, I sel- there be a wet mark on the cloth even drank some, of the punch not cried F x You're wanted lave Been Committed served that Stuart had occasion to theory, but merely stating possibill- there's noti ho’ chute) badly. Wall , ke TUNE ed Gali to ees r ng se ot here's noting more to eat, who's for dom or never crossed over into New from the bottom rim of one of the long before I entered the room. there, badiy wanted. Stand not upon by an Outsider, Rls LAS To Bpokec | ein 1D) Kpelle oe : a i a rubber’ York State. wine glasses Which contained the “Capital!'’ chortled the detective. the order of your going, but git. A® Ke z aker, BP chem: me on 101) ‘ome in A protest came from an unexpected Perhaps you may visit the Adiron- punch? Could it possibly have re- When the van Cortland mansion is you're a good fellow, I'll try and -——— Billy Bolton and Montagu Straus. and—let us think of something quite quarter. Montagu Strauss, who was dacks this year? mained there six hours or more f losed or sold, I'll give you @ job | vith » fo imself seated between fo nt our faces plac! o anne y onan c yor j in send Catherine after you with BAKER OWNER OF RING. uehae und himself seated betw olish: nt our faces black, OF by way of being an airman poet, hav- I haven't the slightest Intention of stuart looked at Brown, This was the Bureau.” least delay possible,"’ and Durrane, a curiously dis- something of t sort. He would ing wi . 7 . written certain vers libres on doing so. “Sor tasteful companionship, as he could have a confederate, who would be In flight, said he, for one, did not care “Sorry. I should be glad to see “ore for butlers, not for cavalry ‘Sorry, sir, but I've promised Miss Kerningham Reports the Mys- not help associating Baker with tho the know, and would have a Key, if to play cards so soon after his friend's you at my place." Dee ee te Bet) nae) ears Sodas lh SR abated means of accomplishing van Cort- he were not already concealed in the death. “Thanks, but it’s almost impos- ine n MRE A LLL Te terious Loss of His Handker- '*n¢'s death, if nothing else, house. What was there to prevent Instead of the rubber he recited one sible. At the end of September I'm 4 But Baker was quite friendly an! such a person from seizing the Op- of his compositions, an airman's sen- off to Callfornia. My regiment will chief on the Night of talked of the finding of the uncon- portunity to commit a dramatic crime? tations E be quartered at Monterey then." = the T di scious men In the Van Cortland man- You ask for a motive. Van's earlier “ 1th og ‘ ed Bak +; “Well, after all, California offers e Tragedy. sion. life in New York may have supplied ade eg a many compensations.”* “We must have looked @ strange lot it twenty times over."® saw that view one night from the iit vou be alone in your log TITLE AND 108A ORIGINATED AND PROTECTED BY THE SLOAN FICTION SERVICE NEW YORK of roosters that morning,” went on ‘There could be no doubting the con- Crtect angle. [ was torced into THE STORY TO DATE. Baker viction wrought in the minds of hig COMPUlsory NoKe-dive by a Taube “Well, yes. If you use that simile young hearers by Durrane's dramatic ‘¢ beggar hud bu my mnvO ny, ae Y 1 may be pardoned for saying that it statement of his opinions, Willie S% tk. f dropped 4,000 fe ROWN, the butler of the Fifth seemed ax though a fox had been in Dixon, in purticular, wos so carried Something like four seconds, and it Avenue mansion of Anthony the poultry pen.” away that he was in the very act of xperience to watch thr Van Cortland, finds his em- ‘Who was the detective who shouted framing a question when he caught eae Sue eine and ployer dead and twelve guests at us when the Doctor administered Stuart's warning eye. When I tried : ammonia?’ put in Durrane. TEE Ke heseR, ‘abd etopped machine I couldn't, unconscious around a table where the — “] really cannot tell you.’ said 2 LES x a, abr: st crash in the German lines thifteen had gathered for a convivial Stuart. ‘You forget that I am al- wast td 1 tr to cant the old bu. hut?’ inquired Stuart, thinking he had answered enough queries to war- ‘ant one on his own account. No. Baker is cbming and others, as my two spare rooms fall vacan A fresh argument had broken out it the other end of the table. It con- rned Durrano's suggestion that a stranger might haye committed the murder NANA NAT NSM MN MTR ow HALF A COAT By Emily H. Calaway rm F anyw Durrane caught the drift of the ration of the Ace Club the night most a complete stranger in New iene Cr to en eas enough to land in thelr main com- gyatter * START TO-DAY fice boy. As Elaine entered the room must have at four. What must she cele! ; “pg a ‘ou the : anche Barres f he i less. dit- do? What cc 0? Fo tu before. A goldfish in a bowl in the YO a. cioy wen the pontce th® murderer was in evening drens Mumication trench Just to do a bit of wvoy hoys are perfect ghouls," he (Copyright.) SAAT ERAnAr Vdihed “ane vom every nee Toom is floating. dead. A strange odor take the iid off,"” Baker sald. “You've “"y.come out on the balcony.” freak of alt pressure, that tilt of the S00, SIMnEIS. Why not leans the LAINE threw herself o© the was crowded with girls, packed with What she would look like, minus whole business to the police? It's up pervades the room. heard about that infernal poison-ring, to planes djd the trick, and I flattened tumbled bed. She was a girls—beautiful, radiant girls, stun- the precious coat, Elaine didn’t stop Capt. 8 an army officer, calls of course?" throw suspicion on one of us isn't ot some twenty feet above the heads ‘© them to perk criminal and con- lovely picture, lovely with ®ing girls—all the prettiest ingenues tc think. She mustn't think. There tuart, “Yes, The newspapers took care of that the very thing he would do? If of a company marching up In relief, Vict him. And, listen to me, ail of in New York seemed to be collected was no question, there must be no for VanCortland to go for a ride in gg¢. you ask me, he had no emall grudge ft; y was scared atiff, so was Fritz, YoU. I've been talking here to-night youth and grace and red- i, that one email room. ‘And Blaine question. Sho liad promised to get Central Park and discovers the state of xt waa anita.’ against Baker, as he took very little anq 1 actually got off a drum at ‘em SMmong friends. Don't you go and gold hair, but the look in her great, 114 thought she was the ‘only one." the coat back in time. She stepped affairs, After talking with erouisc “Yours!” care that the ring should not be wiite scooting along for about 0, Dlab to the Bureau that Durrane said brown eyes was very troubled. For a moment she was dazed. Then quickl¢ over to the office boy. the chauffeur; Roberts, the valet; Ma- senart hoped his astonishment was found, granted Tony was really killed ards, ‘Then J raised Cain among our’ this or that. I have no notion to take For life to her did not mean tear great weariness came over her, “I'm Miss Hollister," she explained tie, the maid, and Brown, Capt. at felgned. by the ring.” own crowd, and finally brought up More than my fair share of the re- and adoration and petting and all that Wot was the use? What chance “I'll be back In ten minutes, in case calls Police Headquarters an he i: Why did you keep the d—a ‘Can there be any doubt of it, after with a bang just on top 0 folonel's SPonstbilit and that is exactly one- gagtt Led Bo with routs and 7 gold had she, with her $8.08 bat, among they want me, eri ek te cancion abd Ta tiotiees ring, Frank?" broke in Spence, from the death of the detective?” sald qugout. Some fellows got a cross for eleventh air, Tt meant privation and distp- 11: these dreams? Even the fur coat Then she fled down the stairs. th other end of the table. Stuart. less than that, while |] came damn ‘“‘One-twelfth,” cried several voices, POintments and a struggle to exist. jooxed shabby Suppose they should call her in this ag as ake earls of pole ‘That's another of the same crazy “‘No. I admit that, If the evidence noar being court-martlated. ‘That "No. I reserve the privilege of tell. FO" She was @ little, unknewn Sctices Atl the chairs were occupted, more particular ten minutes and she should ive Pe abr shea ha my ge —O%, confound it, T must try and were as clear against the murderer yarn any good for your poem, Monty ing each one of you privately that 1 Tom the West. And to-day was tO than half the girls were standing. not be there. She never would b rou! eon Lee at ue tet “i B® guard my tongue. But don't you un- as it is in regard to the weapon I darling?” had always exempted you in my own her day of days. She was to see joiaine found a foot of wall to lean able to explain; she probably woul right ot East an ie Sherer to ‘derstand, you poor fish, that I hadn’t should be sorry to stand in his While Baker was talking, Stuart mind.” the great Robertson himself, the gcainst and waited, There wasn't never get a chance to explain. pt. era oe y v toed greatest manager in ental anything else to do. She recognize She reached the little room at last notify Miss Mary sr ead fe Elaine got up and began brushing geveral of the girls—well known ac- ‘There sat Betty, waiting patiently land's Bete. of ara pe ot 4 fur coat, carefully hung from the. tresses—walting patiently to be ad aine dushed in, struggling out ot the disagreeable task, but is impre: gas-Jet. “Do you suppose we'll ever mit to the great presence; and coat as she ran. Before Betty re- by the fi fact that she shows nc deep own two fur coats between us and be pjaine had thought she had a chance. daha! wae: titre Ghe) Hell gone s a’ ut a 8 c o she ‘ nOW n Yonstanc ce Ns Young awakes after Furneaux hase emp: ; con Beuletre lees onntlce eed Srenmsee “Never, old dear," promptly an- son," the brunette was confiding to 5 tied the pockets of all the Ace Club swered the emiall roommate, proceed- hier friend. "If she gets this part, I'll een a seela west Baie members and taken their fingerprints ing to darn an exceedingly thin ellk bet Robertson won't put up with any jd nevavss (0 6 y Hache Capt. Stuart accompanies Willie stocking. ‘'Be thankful to have half of her airs. the way mae peed ne, wi prague’ his ation fe ee Sarin, “Oh, heavens," murmured a well W#tmer. The shabby blue dress was ut learns nothing of her feelings re- “Well, rain won't hurt the coat, known ingenue, “here's where us Possible as a street costume; a trifle garding the death of the man she was anyway,” went on Betty. ‘‘And {t ‘poor working -goils’ walt one good lilly, to be sure, but at least no one or to marty. He joins Furneaux and makes you look like a million dollars. hour.’ stopped and looked at her. Thank Chief of Detectives Winter at oreak- Will you surely be back with !t by ° “This ts the life,” came from an- !eaven, she still had he hat. tast, where they discuss the case. four?’ she added. “I hate to bother other corner. Up the four flights she raced. Then, Discovery is made of a threatenin, you, dearte, but I've got to have It by Then silence descended on the a3 Ynobtrusively as possible, phe typewritten note in which Van Cortlan was told he could never marry Mary Dixon, The writer has attempted an Italian dialect, Furneaux's theory is that the mur- derer, after administering a knockout draught to the party and pou thd then. My dancing appointment is for waiting room. slipped into the room. four, and {f I'm late—good night!" At 2.45 the assistant manager She prayed that no one would “Oh, I'll know the worst long be- opened the door. Every one turned recognize her. If no one observed fore that. I'm to gee Mr. Robertson expectantly. @he hat, she thought she might easily at two, you know.” ‘Sorry to keep you waiting, girls," pass as another girl. Happily all the “Do you think that patch on my he said cheerfully. “When Mr. Rob- attention was focused on Migs Vinton, shoe shows?" asked Elaine, anxious- ertson does get to seeing you it won't who was just coming out. balance into the gold fish bowl, admin- ly examining the shiny shoes. take logg.’’ Then he went back and after that the director began call- ystered a deadly dose to Van Cortland Not a bit,’ but Betty waz putting slut the door, ing names with great rapidity. Some by h rmic or otherwise and going some powder on the offending patch At half-past 8 the door opened of the girls would be sent back after {6 ae Jcony outside the window threw “rn h&ve my dancing dress all on again. Again the room turned ex- only five minutes in the sacred inner Vbe syringe of uther instrument into 80 you,won't have to get here till pectant office. Quietly they would come out the G tral Park shrubbery. He elim- just before four. I can dash up to ‘Miss Vinton?’ called the offce and go down the stairs. Apparently miates all save three of the Ace Club the hall in five minutes. But don’t boy. the great manager made up his mind members, Durrane, Kerningham and be any longer or I'll lose my job." A dark haired beauty In a Paris yery quickly. Baker. “Don't worry. I'll be here, and if gown’ went in and the door shut. “Many are called but darg few T haven't landed—well, I'm down to Blaine, crowded against the wall, chosen,’ murmured a girl in the my last three dollars.” saw her go in—and she saw the Paris corner. ‘Then Elaine, her eyes bright with/gown. Then she saw the hem of her then a girl would be called, who hope, her lips smiling bravely, started old blue serge unter the protecting vould not come out for twenty min The butler tells of a visit by Miss Baker and her father to Van Cortland and a conversatidn in which the dea nian made light of the threatening note. Stuart overhears a conversation in out on her Great Adventure. coat Oh, It wasn’t fair, it wasn't tec and despair would descend on the which Montag Toyn says that Mary The great manager's offices were just Toon) 5 Dixon a to marry Van Cortland up above the theatre, four fMights “Quarter of four,"’ groaned some She's got the part,"? some one because Se saved her father from fail- above, to be exact. borly “And dit will be six before we ouig groan. May as well toddle ure in a deal in rubber stocks. At the head of the stairs was a ge’ out of her ° Capt. Crossley, precinct commander causes the arrest of a tramp who . bas a ms he claims to have found in Central Park oppose ite the Van Cort- land mansion. Orticer Flanagan, who tmadé the arrest, is scratched while ex- amining the ring and dies just as Van Cortland died. ” alot home.”’ small waiting room, most efficiently “Quarter of four. aine gasped. On’ guarded by a small but mighty of- The coat-the family coat—that Betty FINISH TO-MORROW THE BAFFLING GAME ie the i the private office. ‘Do you happen to all along, I trotted down to htm. atareuie conclusion Of (hs have it with you still “He was sending me back with story begun yesterday. Is the °'\\\.)., : i i ] achins thi x t the third it is found that the poison that killed oy uid Charlie, reaching this plece of glase to get Van Cortland and Flanagan has come “4 NEDENVE THE PRIVILEGE OF TELLING EACH ONE OF YUU PHIVATELY THAT | HAVE ALWAYS EXEMPTED YOU IN MY coding: suyiiine’| like you pic sea that Tae, pocket, “It just hap- and Tast) ot the) eealise: clenober trom an antique ring such as was used OWN MIND." tured i > d C ’ ” Yo, no!" ded back ga t on t in ttaly two or three centuries ago. “*SMART GUY, INS'T HE? WHISPERED BAKER TO STUART. rit PENgrnntir o, 0 ‘The other handed back game. But maybe I've wot on to i Some of the contents are sent tov a 6E ATO!” she declared vehemently. the ring he gave him, after a vingle in time to get them. toxicologist, the least notion {t was poisoned?’ shoes,” had seized the chance to turn and He laughed, and stood up. “7 am done with him, I tel! glance at it, with an Impatient head Charlie spun round op his heel \ “Willie Dixon invites Capt. Stuart to pmebody knew," persisted Stuart was aware of a very slight look at him. He saw « powerfully Smart guy, isn't hi whispered you. I have told him so, shake. and bolted out. Hurrying back to the stay in the Dixon flat while his father SPenee. movement on Baker's part. He would bullt man of twenty-fve or tl aker to Stuart. “Ought to have been ¢o9 put atill he thinks he can goon “That's it,"" Charite insisted St. Hupert, he drew the house de- and sister are in the Adirondacks and _‘’A%4 I-onght to have been charged have given a good deal to have se- abouts, who, while far from intellec- a lawyer, 1 guess.’ j saMiciicnd ‘ell, 1 wit zhls? It's not worth four cents.'? tective to one side end. breathlessly takes it clear that the invitation is ex- “th poor old Van's murder, eh?" cured Furneaux's presence at that tual, looked honest and dependabl Again Stuart experienced a {celing dece!ving me, heln? Well, T will put you suid it was a beautlful enlisted hig help. . tended at Mary's suggestion. “Look here, boys,’ interposed moment, but he took a chance. the sort of person who meant what of repulsion, for Baker's face was write » mole to him this time that vee: They swiftly ascended to the Comte Mary Dixon adds the fact that Frank Vixen, “that’s no way to talk. If our theory, if I may venture to he said, and whose tenacity of pur- twisted in a wry smile. By nodding, yo cannot misunderstand. He shall waker’s collection comprised a poison Vt? Was killed by that ring, and 1 use the word after your disclaimer, Pose might be relied on. Yet he and rising at Atie'aarae Hse, HOAVOIIGE oo grat y loathe and dempiae fim fing but she believes him innocent or *UPPOS! he was, one of our crowd Mr, Durrane, 1s exceedingly Interest- could not shake himself free of the u direct reply, ‘The leave-teking was ‘ cee Van Cortland's death man calling MUSt have done it and the gtilty fuan ing and ingentous,"' he said. “If it is dreadful thought which had obsessed informal, As there was to be no now, as much as I once loved hin Pau@Forste: visits the Dixon lifted the ring ,owt of Frank's gem at all well founded, d n during the past hit hour, and, bridge the guests left early, and, as “You want to take the it was. This is a beautiful de Brissac's suite, and knocked on imitation of it, It's glass—nothing the door. As the rogue beheld Charile olse. Now, ll tell you what hap- confronting him on the threshold, pened about a half-hour ufter you With the plain clothes man standing loft here, I got « notification from behind him, he dropped back with « it leave out aphciment and is questioned by Furn. binet for that v purpose of account the motive for the erime despite bis every prechution, some was only natural, Dixon and Stuart puck to him again?” Charlie asked. — the people you work tor, We're one 3 antelens Bobs faring one exux and Stuart about the mysterious “Why is it assumed that one of us assigned by the newspapers .”’ shadow of the conflict in his mind reviewed the session, “te you do not mind, monsicur?’ of the clients of the Sterling Detec vind tow rd his ba ast pocket. phone call of the morning. “The inn # necessarily a murderer? “What is that?" must have shown itself tn his face, "We don't make much progress, do with a pleading glance from those tive Agency, you know. We retuin _ But he wasnt quick enough, arlie 1s Montagu Toyn and he admits send- . Purrane put the question, It “Well, we are discussing a matter because Durrane re Og ROR Wet aES the younger man ‘thought- dark, eloquent eyes of hers. them at a fixed annual charge. along Wrenehed nis pet oe een ae te ing, the phone message. seemed to create a new atmosphere of of reai public importance, and that ‘M"mured in a tone he alone coulk fully. he Ate Charlie sat down to wait, his lips with a lot of other big jewelry hous a as opped Ht onthe cece a a Ect Stuart is surprised to learn SUTPrise, almont of tension must be my exeuse for mentioning the MMM Perhaps ne said Stuart, grimly shut. It was nearer ten, than in the city, to protect us against thefts It wane plush over box and that ee Dixon has cherished a news, ..) Who else could It be?" demanded fact, Have not nal Hepars tuken Tops apoisciate the) almaulty a But we didn't get aziy really val- wo minutes before she reappeared, and swindles of all sorts, and they're ip It were two of the e Tears o| paper clipping showing his decoration D'%°" it for granted that van Cortland was t! exsracrdine affair, Capt. uable stuff?’ he queried. to present him with the ring and supposed to send us out a warning 2 fons in New it} tuart, You can hardly bring your- T.am not so sure. IT wish Fur- 4 gecond sealed envelope, which he whenever they get wind that anything _ “Don’t Jet him use the telephone, no self to believe that a bluff, hearty neaux could have heard all that noted waa thicker than the firs of the kind 1s about to be attempted, Matter what excuse he makes to do fellow Nke Frank Baker killed yan “Ah, no, no!’ walled the French- They wrote us a letter, advising us to £0" Charlie instructed the house de- Cortland in such a devilish way—nov man, wheg he had taken the ring be careful not to buy three tective, as he left the dejected thief in by a French general with the croix . A8Y one of th 1 by a rival suitor when he an de guerre. York,’ came the unexpected answer, younced his forthcoming marti Fhe inquest develops nothing new ‘7 think the police are foolish in in- “yes, ‘That seems to bring hack the but ‘the toxicologist reports that the guilt to our crowd,’ agreed Durrane sisting on our collective responsibil » door opened and Benson an- rfect, ity. We.were all under the influence gin can you? nounced: and read the epistie Charlie handed - white diamonds th leht boot, HS Charge. “He'd call up his female simp! . in and rea pistle white dlamonds that might m ee ine nag erp ae and of # strong narcotic for nearly vx gems? Damn It. {t dows!" erie! "NY Indeed. “Mr, Furneaux Simwith i cBhe ia, heastlesenot Vat a bargain price eecomplice to tip her off to duck, spake Gnlpon, Perhaps an addition of hours, How many people could have puker, with a ferocity that was sine. ’ABA the same may d of @ “People generally P something to pelleve, to trust in me. But Ican- "The stones were stolen frgm the But when he reached that brown- , ett entere eft the house tn that larly out of place to ~ one of us. Speaking tor myself, I about thet post-mortem condition jot bear to think that of her, Twill collection of a titled old ‘family StoRe Poarding house on the upper ; CHAPTER x Ime?" ‘ ecing that every your may tell you, if it interests you to when [turn up unexpectedly,” not, until she has rejected one more abroad. They were known ‘The West side, Charlie found that he hi 4 y “Hut you are forgetting that oxcept stuart, had atten hear {t, that despite my most strenu- squeaked the detective. ‘What's the pica which I will make to her not ‘thre Ate of the Madonna, ai; been forestalled. Mile, Lavotr was al A Friendly Dinner. he rtist, whoever he was, first party, His sudden fury puta damper OU effort, [ became so deathly nau- matter now? . to cast me off, because she lias M8- three of. them being exactly alice us "C@d¥ the prisoner of two other operas Bt URING the next few days put tle dupe in the punch?” suid & the others, and there was silence Seated by the sights and sounds ¢ “We were just talking of you,” sald roned to the lying stories that have toralan and cut, helt detatied tives of Lhe private detective agency, Stuart met most of the mem- ™ngiam for a few seconds. war that some kind observer higher Stuart been borne to her about mc You “But w only found one ring, scription was cabled over firm by the police on the othe bers of the Ade Club. . “Not ut all. My memory is bette “Like the detectives, we take UP;-l never knew him, but he musi An excellent subject, You'll tell though that decadent organi- t#" yours, Bob. it is you who fer everything for granted, resumed Dur- have been a bit of @ psychologist— me why In a minute. | Will you ring $ i gatiba isthe Aiduclved. its nbers Set: Didn't you attend « certain cin pane, speaking in a contemplative got me transferred to the base at St. ind ask Brown to step in from write it at onte!"* ta dlapoaa of thain Haul, two somehow, without your spotting clung together. It was only to bo ®t! in a private room at Voisin’. way, and evidently peering into his Nazaire.’ chen Charlie waited once more while the Grote O'Neil aprany to his tect, 't, Which ts lkely to earn you a hot expected that the shock of yan Court- *b0Ul January, 1919, whe r old own quite capable brain. ‘We are all you must have suffered a good Brown!" Comte withdrew into the next room. See got itt he ered cull-down from the chief when jhe land’g death should bave a sobering V%" limself laced four French alr- New Yorkers, yet we are sufficiently deal mentally," said Stuart, who ‘Yes. He has been here an hour ‘If she does not yield this time, 1. tug crooks from abroad hears of it.” effect on even the wildest of his com- "en 80 thoroughly that the waiters self-confident, not to say conceited, to thought he found traces of the storm or more, Got a crush on the parlor- and keep the ring,’’ the dark-skinned Verwuaicnaee fauna zs t che was ...A. ¢all-down repeated Chariie but the fact that they were early had a fit when they couldn't assume that none besides ourselves and stress of life In the care-lined maid, I imagine.”’ man informed him when he placed the 1 tehed. Not by ane une dia O'Neill, with elaborate indifference. under a cloud, and almost s¢t rid of them at closing time? regarded a certain lady as one of (he features and prematurely graying Dixon rang and Brown appeared, solitaire and the note to accompany Yeing watched. > y me—she did son, 1 guess not. I haven't been will take the ring and another letter back to her, monsieur?—then 1 60 to Wie believed the thieven cate must got rid of the other his brother sleuths informed Charlie, by their own ctrele Several. volees cried out in wWon- most charming and lovable girls inthe black hair of the oval-faced, dark- self-possessed and very well dreased. jt {n Charlie's hands, five minutes Rot suspect that or she wouldn’ * asleep on this Job, Not for one min- brougit about frequent meetings, “erment. Four men present recalled country.'* skinned man thus confiding in him. “Do you prefer Catherine to jater, “I shall take my life—that can have picked me out for the catspaw iio.” qr it hadn't been for me the! especiatly for dinner, In effect, they the incident now, but they had never The sally evoked but a disconcerted ‘The conversation led up to an an ie?" sald Furneaux instantly mean nothing to me without her by Whom she was to pass those €eInd Storing Detective Agency would have were herded by misfortune. before thought of connecting it with grin from those who had been de- nouncement by Durrane that he ex- “Yes, sir." ove!" out of her possession and into that fallen short of landing all three of 3 When Dixon Invited six one evening the mur¢ tained by the authorities, and Kern- pected to visit the Adirondacks a “T don't blame you. I should | Charite started down Fifth Avenue. of her pal without detection, Shoes AtOnsE, ‘Welerena: eth tha one —inaking two tubles at bridge, he ex ‘By heck, Van used the very samo ingham caused a diversion by ex- was disappointed that Willie Dixon's to call any girl Maree, just because He stopped and looked over his shoul- ‘It had one of those Three Tears yoye just took away from her and vpiained—Stuart thought it advisable stuff that nig vowe claiming :— business engagements would keep him #he doesn’t know any beiter Now, der as be heard his name called, In of the Madonna in it, the first time. i), two I took from her partner, we've to inform the Bureau. He inquired. “What do you make “Someone grabbed my handkerchief in town Brown, I want to ask you a question the doorway of the jewelry establish. He took it out of the setting, when 11. ali three. I rather think when the for Furneaux, whose extravagances inquired Dixon, staring round-eyed at that morning. Was It you, Captain For some reason though in this In Captain Stuart's presence. On ment of Cole, Loomis & Wade, which he came into the next room, and put oa, hears that, I won't come in for i, amused him, but was put in touch Durran Stuart?” 7 company no secret had been made of that morning did you touch, or re- he had just passed unnoticed, his back one of the invitations he had 1. can down, but a boost—in my . with Winter. Mindful of the ban on “I? Nothing. 1 only point out that ‘Did you lose your handkerchief," the whereabouts of Mary Dixon and move, or in any way change the po- friend, the junior partner, stood beck- ready, ‘Then she took that glass Jiri the telephone for explicit conversa- Tony was fond of a practical joke, broke in Durrane, before Stuart could her father. Stuart felt the tinkle of sition of any article on the table? oning to him, duplicate out up-stairs, when I "1.4 as it turned ont, he was right. tienes We merely said that Wilile and as thie day week marked the las reply. some little bell of warning in his “No, sir My bands never even “That ring you showed me about brought it back to her, and put in . THE END. was entertaining half a dozen meeting at the Ace Club, he might ‘Did I not? Don't you~ Kern- brain touched the cloth.’ an hour ago!" the jeweller said in xn another cf the Tears. Which, like cProtected by the Goa Plotion Be Bis old associates, and be wanted quite conceivably Lave plauneg to pul Ingham checked the words on his lips. ¢ “De you know the district?’ asked ‘‘And you, ‘Captain Gtuarey" excited toue, when they were alone in the tvory»headed boob that I've been i ‘senele?