Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-13

theory. He's working some sort of ire
mendous bunco game. He's playing for big
stakes He's not the man to play for little
ones"
No." assented. he's not" and we fe..
silent. while the waiter removed the dishes
Over the cigars. afterwsrd. neither OF Us
faid much; We were both, think. trying ia
lind some ray of light In the darkness. A.
last Godfrey took out his watch and glanced
"A. It.
Il must be going" he said. as he tore into
little bits the menu card upon which he had
made his computation. MY train leaves
at o.
We put on our coats and went out to-
stther On the steps We paused.
here's one thing. Lester" he said;
we re making progress. and ne doesn't sus-
pect us. That's our great advantage. Per
maps we may catch him of his guard. Dur
ing the next week keep your eyes open and
md out how much Cecily knows. Another
th'ng-keep clear head-dont let that
siren---'
NO danger" interrupted. and half un-
consciously touched ring on my finger.
He smiled as he saw the gesture
oh. yes. I'd forgotten about that Where
is she now?'
In Florida-she and her mother. They're
coming north next month";
Well he said. I'm glad you've got the
ring-you'H need IL this next week. | wish
The chance was mine-Cecily. I'm sure. knows
good many interesting things about Ire
maine. Besides, l haven't got your high
with fire. However. do your best. I'll look
you up as soon as | get back. Goodbye"
i watched him until the crowd hid him.
then turned toward my rooms a little mis-
erably Without Godfrey to back me I felt
singularly weak and helpless II Tremaine
were really the finished scoundrel We sup
posed him. what chance had against him?
But perhaps he was not: perhaps We were
wide of the mark-looking for truth at the
bottom OF well instead of on the noun
tain top.
The next day was Saturday Tremaino
was TO leave in the afternoon for his weeks
absence, and he came In before l left In
the morning to say goodbye. He seemed
strangely ted and triumphant; his eyes
were even brighter than usual. the color
came and went In his cheeks-he presented.
altogether. a most ia fascinating appearance.
Ha fingered only moment to shake hands
and thank me again.
'Cecily is jealous of these last moments"
he said. with laugh. She's a spoilt child
and like child. her moods are only OF
the moment-shell be gay a lark to-
morrow. Well. au revoir. my friend" and
he waved his hand to me and closed the
door behind him.
With the vision of him vet In my eyes |
saw clearly for the first time how weak
Id puny and ineffective was the chain OF
evidence which we were endeavoring to
forge about him. He rose superior to IL.
shattered IT. cast IT aside. trampled on II
coEtemptuously-emerg unstained. l had
permitted myself to be blinded by God
Iley preJuulceS-nO unbiased person would
ever believe Tremaine guilty. Then l re-
meMbered that sudden. Internal smile he
bad cast at me two nights before. and
some Of the glory fell from him.
At the office / found awaiting me a note
from Godfrey. scrubbed hastily In the sta
ton of the Pennsylvania road
Dear Lester ut RAM: BY the merest
good luck met Jack Drysdae just after |
left you. Drysdale Is betrothed to Miss
Croydon and is to be of a little house
party which Mrs. Delroy has arranged at
fer country house near Babylon. Long
Island. Tremane Is to he guest alsoi
That Is where he will spend the week. and
It's evident he's going there with n pur-
pose l would give worlds to be there. but
Drysdale has promised TO keep a journal
of events-he's willing to do good deal for
me-and TO wire me IL anything unusual
happens. So | hope for the best. Remem-
Der to keep your eyes open. GODFREY"
1t is principally from Drysdales Journal
that | have drawn the story OF those
eventful days.
('ro be continued tomorrow