Los Angeles herald., 1907-02-17


Raiah of Ahbad. lie seemed to be
looking for somebody, for his glasses were con.
stantly in Use. There was restless air too,
about the Raah, that showed that he was not
altogether at his case
Field laid himself out for enjoyment for the
next quarter of an hour The heroine of the
piece in the form Of Miss Adela vane was late
in appearing The thing was dragging. too, or
10 it seemed to Field. All at once there were
voices at the back of the stage as IL somebody
Nas quorrcing. Suddenly the bright tuneful
chorus broke off altogether and female voice
screamed. little puff of smoke came from the
stage.
IN the twinkling of an eye the whole house rose
and shuddered There was a sharp crackcrackle,
followed by smoke, and forked tongues of flame
licked the imitation forest, and with swish all
the chorus fled from the stage Far away up in
the gallery somebody was roaring "Fre!" A
rush to the doors already taking place
The smoke was getting thicker and blacker; the
Hames were making the place unpleasantly warm.
Field could feel the heat on his face. He had
been close to the stalls exit, and might have
slipped away at once, but he had held his ground.
II was he who stood with his back to the door
now.
I'll knock down the first man who tries to
pass me-" he cried. There is plenty of time
iy. Don't you know that the whole theatre can
be emptied in three minutes if people will only
60 quietly Now come along and don't press"
The stern, hard tones were not without their eff.
feet. Field looked calm and collected and con.
fident himself that the feeling spread quickly all
over the stalls.
The stalls were moving quietly along now, and
1t was marvellous to see how quickly the place
was being deserted In less time than it takes to
tell, everybody was outside. Like magic an en-
eine had appeared, and men in helmets were
jumping nimbly over the stalls laying their hose
down. As Field turned to go little cry from
the stage attracted his attention.
A girl stood there, dressed as Watteau shep.
herdess She seemed absolutely dazed and fright.
ened, pretty and pathetic little figure in her
great golden wig.
Go back" Field yelled. You'll have that
blazing scenery on top of you Why don't you
60 back to the stage door,"
The actress turned at last and shook her head
Tears were rolling down her face.
Il can't she said. The fire is too great |
was IN my dressing groom, and / did not know.
Oh, why doesn't somebody save me?"
Without any further loss of time Field jumped
into the orchestra and scrambled onto the stage
The hot flames drove him back for the moment
He lifted the girl into his arms and made a
bold leap over the orchestra into the stalls. Then
he carried her out into the street and called for
cab.
Where shall tell the man to drive?" Field
asked
II shall remember presently" the girl said
az am altogether dazed and stupid for the mo-
nent.a / can nothing but fire and smoke. Let
me think. Oh, YES, it is coming back to me- Yes
Mrs. Marsh, 124 Copeland avenue. Regents
Park Oh, 1t is very good and kind of you. Will
you let me tender my thanks when l am better?"
II have done nothing" Field said modesty
A sudden idea occurred to him, accustomed as
n md in al
kinds of startling surroundings. eff | may
will call upon you tomorrow morning. Good
night"
The cab was whirled away, and Field went
thoughtfully down the Strand 1t seemed to him
that he had seen the pretty little actress before,
but then such queer sensations frequent in
times of danger and excitement Field reflected.
He pondered over the matter until another idea
filed his mind.
by Jove," he exclaimed. 'I had quite forgot
ten the Coloneps message ] was to go to Edward
street, near the Borough, and wait to see what
should see I'll just go and hang about there for
half an hour so the off chance, though
am tired as a dog already. 1t seems to me that
can't do better than take cab''
A cab accordingly whirled Inspector Field to
the upper end of Edward street, which is by no
means bad type of street for the Borough. The
houses are of respectable class for the most
part the class of houses that let lodgings to med
ical students and the like.
He was chatting to policeman on the beat,
seeing that he could not loaf there without arous.
ing the suspicious of the intelligent officer on
duty. when couple passed him. The man wore
long fawn overcoat and a silk hat he was a
well-dressed man, as Field could see by his smart
ly cut trousers and patent leather boots He
had a lady with him, lady with handsome
wrap. There was genuine West End air about
these people that did not tally at all with Ed
ward street Field did not fail to notice,
Pull those people up and ask them some ques-
ton" Field whispered to the officer "I want
TO get good look at their faces
The matter was managed quite easily, though
the man in the fawn coat was short and inclined
to be curt in his replies But it sufficed for Field
who expressed no astonishment as he recognized
the features of the man called Reggie" and the
woman called Cora, whom he had seen the
night before at No. 100, Audley Place. In other
words, he was once more hot upon the scent of
Countess de la Moray and General Gastang.
every good, indeed Watson" he said That's
bit of luck hardly expected, I'll just follow
these people and make certain. Good night"
Field had not far to go, seeing that the man
in the fawn coat produced latchkey and let
himself into a house little farther down the
road. In the drawng'room window there was
a card to the effect that lodgings were to be let
there
IT'S late. but I'll try it, Field said to him
self. $50 here goes"
The inspector walked up the steps and rang
the bell. After little time tall, slstternly wo
man came to the door and looked sleepily out
She seemed by no means pleased to be disturbed
and the way she wiped her prS':th with the back
OF her hand suggested the fact that she had been
taking some of pleasing and not altogether UNI
intoxicating fluid with her supper.