The Washington critic., 1888-02-25
"Well," said Balderston between
his teeth, as the other paused.
"Well, she's there now"

"Well," said Balderston between
his teeth, as the other paused.
"Well, she's there now"
"There nowl In that place with
that fellow Where"
Keep cool, Mr.. Balderston," said
the detective, composedly. "There's
no futher harm done yet. You will
go quietly in with me and tell her to
come home, that's all; we shall be
there in moment. In that house
with hack standing in front of it.
and lady Just coming down the
steps. By the way, it is your wifep'
Balderston stopped short in his
tracks-he was barely thirty PAGES
off-and glared at her. She wore the
lace shawl that he had so lately pre-
sented to her. Her tall companion
with the black mustache followed her
down the steps. AS he did so their
lips met. A spasm passed through
Balderston's frame, The.hack drove
on. The man with the moustache
reascended the steps and dis
appeared through the doorway.
"Wake up, manp' exclaimed the
detective, grasping Balderston by the
arm and pulling him forward. eve
must not lose sight of that carriage"
And he broke into run, Balderston
staggering after him, with his brain
on fire. The'hack turned into Lex
ington avenue, they after it. BY
good fortune they here met an empty
hack, which the detective hailed and
gave the driver directions to keep the
other vehicle in sight. They seated
cnI Ixyno "A al
Balderston breathless and pale, his
hands and teeth tightly clenched.
"Now, mind you, do nothing rash,"
said the detective, after q moment.
'"The woman can be saved yet, If you
take her in the proper way. She is
evidently going home," he added, as
they turned down toward Madison
avenue; talk to her'quietly at first,
give her time to show her hand. If
you put her on herdefense too soon
you'll lose point. If she lies to you
las of course she will--then make
your charge coolly and firmly, and
I'll back you up. She will not hold
out long, and then you will have
everything your own way. Hold on,
driver" he called out Of the window,
'.well get out here.n
AS they alighted on the sidewalk
they saw the other hack Just driving
away from the door Of Balderston's
house, half block further on, and
moment later tho, door of the house
was heard to close.
'She has got in, remarked d the de
tective, "and imagines herself safe
You can introduce me as a friend of
yours, and then lead the conversation
up to the point. Remember that the
more agitation you betray the greater
will be her advantage over you"
Baldersten opened the door with
his latch-key and they entered quietly.
They went upstairs at once, their
feet scarcely sounding on the soft
carpet. There was a sitting-room in
the front Of the house, and a library
al the back A glance showed that
Mrs. Balderston was in the library.
She had certainly improved her time.
In the five minutes or less allowed,
her, she had'slipped out of her tight
dress, thrown on an elegant neglige,
got her feet into coquettish pair of
Turkish slippers, provided herself
with q novel, and ensconced herself
costly on a. sofa, drawn up to the
table, so that the light from the lamp
fell over her shoulders. Leaving. the
detective temporarily in the shadow
of the sitting-room, Balderston was in
the library before his wife was aware
of him. At all events, she started as
with surprise, and exclaimed: "0h,
Dick you quite frightened me Have
you been to the club?"
eyes. Did you and your cousin.
enjoy the Star Theatreqp
ooh, tolerably. But how pale you
look, dear; are you ill?'