Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-03


Cigarettes:
"Cenoinement, 'nonsienr-1 mean that seems to
he true. But where is he: Why should he not
come back? What does it mean: Madame Bots
segur is frantic prostrated She wanted me to 60
to the police but l did not think it wise that it
should become public so came here
VERY we'll commented Grimm. Let 1t rest
is. Meanwhile YOU may reassure madam
Point to her that if NJ Boissegur signed the
letters Tuesday night he at least alive; and II
he came or sent for the cigarettes Wednesday
night he still alive l shall call at the En-
bassy this afternoon and look around No, it isn't
advisable to 60 with YOU now; Give me your latch
KEY to the front door. please
RlgOlOt produced the KEY. and passed 1T over
without word
And one other thing Grimm continued. please
collect all the revolvers that may be in the house,
and take charge of them yourself 1T anyone; by
chance. heard burglar proving around there
tonight he might shoot, and IN that event XIII
either NJ. Bossegur. or-or me.
THE white rays OF distant arc light filtered
through the half-drawn velvet hang1ngs, and
cast a faint illuminated path across the Ambassa-
doris desk; the heavy leather chairs. were mere
mpalpable splotches in the shadows; the cut glass
knobs of a mahogany cabinet caught the faint CLINT
Of light, and reflected It dimlv. Outside was the
vague ndefinable night drone OF city asleep, I'm
broken by any sound that was distinguishable,
until finally there the distant boom OF clock
Seated on a couch in corner of the Ambas-
sadors office Grimm. He was leaning back
in a against the high arm OF leather, with his
immaculate feet on the seat. thoughtfuly nursing
his knees If his attitude indicated anything,
except sheer comfort it that he was hs-
tening. He had been there for two hours VIDE
awake and absolutely immovable. Five, ten,
fifteen, minutes more passed and tnen Gi1rnm
heard the grind and whir of an automobile
block away, coming toward the Embassy.
Honk! Hon-on-onk!" it called plaintively.
g Hon-on-onk! h nk!
rushing on full IT, while Grimm removed his feet
from the seat and dropped them nolselessly to the
floor Thus with his hands his knees, and
listening listening with every tacuy st tram i;n NE
led into the hall The was gone now, the sound
of it swallowed up in the distance; still ne sat
there. 1t obviously some noise In the mouse
that he waiting for.
Minute after minute passed, and still nothing
There was not even the whisper of wind stirred
draperv He was just about to rise, when sud-
denly with no other noise than that of the sharp
click of the SWITCH the electric lights in the room
bazed up brilliantly. The glare dazzled Grimm
With its binding flood; but he d1dn move lhen,
softly. almost in whisper:
GOOD evening, Mr. Grimm
~ 1t was a woman's voice, pleasant, unsurpassed,
perfectly modulated Grimm had heard it only
twice in his life and certainly did not expect it
now; but he knew it instantly-theTe was not
another quite like it in the woodland though he
still blinking little, he came to his feet cour-
teousy.
Good morning Miss Thorne,' he corrected
Now his vision clearing, and he saw her
Miss Isabel Thorne-My Lady of Mystery grace
full figure slhouetted against the rich green OF the
wall draperies Her lips curled the least bit,
as if she might have been smiling, and the blue
gray eyes reflected CLINT of-of-was it amuse-
ment: The folds of her evening dress fell away
from her. and one bare, white extended,
as her hand still rested on the switch.
And YOU didn't hear me-" she tainted, still
in the half whisper. Il didn't think you would.
Now I'm going to put the lights for instant,
while you pull the shades down, and then-then
we must have "a conference.
The sw;tch snanDed The lights died as sud-