Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-08
CHAPTER II.
A Cry for Help.

For three days Thompson's body lay en-
throned on its couch at the morgue, but OF
the thousands of people who filed past 1t,
not one could give a single clue to its ioea-
t!ty. Godfrey's emissaries went from end
to end of the docks, loitered in sailors sa-
looms and eating places, provided innumer-
able drinks, but nowhere did they meet
any one who recognized the rough, bearded
face which the camera had reproduced. The
officers of every ship that had arrived with
in a week were interviewed, but none of
them knew Thompson. 1t would seem that
he had dropped from the clouds and that
no one had witnessed his descent. 1t was
an altogether puzzling state of affairs, and
made impossible any further real progress
III the investigation of the crime.
The police worked in a desultory fashion
along the usual lines Various theories
were built up and exploded various clues
were laboriously followed and found to lead
nowhere: various suspects were arrested
and afterward released; close and utterly
futile watch was kept on the movements of
Jimmy the Dude. 1t was plainly apparent
that the authorities were all at sea, and it
seemed altogether likely that the affair
would soon be written down with New
York's other unsolved mysteries.
fuDilc interest WaneO anu uWInuleu, anu
passed on to other things. Even with me,
living at the very scene of the crime, 1t
faded in astonishing way; it no longer
occupied my thoughts; over my evening
pipe. it was not the details of the mystery l
conjured up, but a vision of dark
face
An inquiry of the janitor developed the
fact that it was my neighbors, Mr.. and Mrs.
Tremaine, whom l had met that evening as
left the elevator. They had the apartment
t1,N l,aI1 F-n,, NiyNn md a n
thought. of course, that l must meet them
frequently; but three days had passed and
l had caught not glimpse of them; their
hours for coming and going seemed rad
ioally different from mine.
So 1t was with a sense of disappointment
somewhat fooishly excessive that l sat IN
my room and watched the smoke circle up
around the chandelier and wondered at the
within which had brought me to this apart
ment. Not but that it was comfortable
CROUCH; yet l was vaguely restless, uneasy;
1 had not that homelke sense of comfort
and quiet which had marked my soiourn
with Mrs. Fitch. There was nothing to be
discovered here concerning the tragedy; the
rooms had been stripped bare of evidence
before my arrival; 1t was absurd to sup
nose =
I heard the sudden opening of door;
scream shirll. full of terror
Rarely have I been so startled as | was
by that voice. In instant I was in the
hall. A red light streamed through the
open door of the apartment opposite. sill
houetting a woman's figure staring, with
clasped hands
1 sprang past her, pulled down the burn
ing curtains and threw them into the hall
where Higgins. who had run up the stairs.
stamped out the flames. The room was full
of smoke, but it was evident that the fire
had spread no farther. l opened the win
dow and the smoke was whirled away.
THAT was lucky" was Higgins com
ment, as he stood painting in the doorway.
~ m a tremDIe. L
It was another murder!
couldn't help laughing I looked at
him gasping excitedly for breath.
you've got murder on the BRAIN" said.
IT hope there won't be- any more at the
Marathon"
80 do l." he agreed and gathering up
the fragments of the curtains. turned to go.
"Ah bon der cried Mrs. Tremaine. In
queerly broken but very charming mixture
of French and English. What a chance!
What good fortune that you were In your
room missie!'
She had closed the window with a nervous
SILVER at the cold and then stepped back
into the full light. 1 fairly gasped as l
looked at her Charming she had been
gowned according to the New York fashion;
now she was radiant In a costume whose
gorgeousness seemed Just the setting her
beauty needed. At the moment 1t COM
pletely dazzled me, but / was able after
ward, in a calmer mood TO analyze lt-the
crimson petticoat the embroidered chem.
lace, showing through the silken Shout
der-scarf: the necklace of gold beads
and bracelets. studs brooches-what
not The sight of Higgins standing
staring at this vision with open mouth
brought me to my senses.
81 am very happy to have been there.
madame" ! said, and started toward the
door.
"Missie Tremane will he here In moment.
He will desire to thank you.
The words were accompanied by a smile
there was no resisting. I faltered.
Higgins was still staring from the hall
Mrs Tremaine stepped forward and calmly
shut the door in his face.
In that instant a quick shiver ran through
me as though I had been suddenly imprs
oned with a wild beast-a SILVER that had
in It something fearfully delightful. And
let me add here that the emotion which
Cecily for so l came to know her, raised
in me was not In the least admiration In
the ordinary sense of the term, but rather
an overpowering fascination, such as one
sometimes feels in watching magnificent
tigress pacing back and forth in her cage.
Such. I believe, was the feeling she In
spired In most men; even in Tremaine him.
self.
She smiled at me again as she swept
past me to a couch In one corner, and
sank upon 1t.
to a chair close at hand. II was very
lonesome; I was weary of talking to my
own body"
cannot reproduce the soft dialect she
spoke; any effort to do so makes 1t appear
erotesdue so I shall not try AT first, 1t
puzzled me occasionally, but l soon came
to understand her perfectly.
so was l." l said. smiling at the quaint
expression. 81 was growing very sick of
my own body Have you been In New
York long?''
Less than a month. missile; and 1 do
not like tit Is too cold-too gray"
"Ah you have come in a bad time"
said, wondering at her almost childish ex-
preston of misery. wait until Junction
you will see!'
"June All, we shall not remain so long
T. at least I have promised to stay one
month longer. but more than that-impos-
siblei"
She reached out and took up cigarette
from a pile which lay on tabouret beside
the couch.
TT was thus the curtains caught" she
laughed and after a Whit or two, flung
the still-blazing taper over her shoulder.
''Peufi-and they were all in a flame. A
moment before, I was longing for excite
ment-any excitement whatever-but that
sudden burst of fire frightened mel rushed
out-cried for help-and," she finished with
a charming little gesture, spoiled your
smoke Try one of these
There was no resisting her-it was like
playing with fire. / took a cigarette and
lighted It.