The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1909-05-22
Af(ILII()lY
(h HudsoND Ou8lae
CHAPTER v.-Continued.

They turned slowly along the
boardwalk, discussing the points
and performance of Quaintance's
purchase, and, these all disposed
Of, returned to the topic uppermost
in chat gentleman's mind, a topic
which had already been touched
upon at frequent intervals.
Il wish had got better view
of the runabout that girl was driv-
ing last night" he remarked. 81
don't believe I'd know 1t again un'
less she were in it herself"
II should" answered his com
panion, quick understanding
smile wrinkling his thin face. ut
was Cadillac, two seated, model
@, '06, lacquered In olive green
without relief, dark canvas cape
cart hood, three headlamps. Most
of the brasswork had been coated
over, to save cleaning. The only
thing I couldn't get a line on was
the number-but it was too thick
with dust"
You're a marvel" said Quaint
ance approvingly. when special
corresponding becomes lost art
you ought to get good pay as a de,
tective. / couldn't have told 1t off
so concisely even If l had seen the
car. How did you manage to no
tice- SO much in such short time,
eh?"
"The faculty of observation" re-
torted his friend. "In my trade one
has to be as quick as snapshot
and accurate as an adding machine
at the same time. I'd have been
dead and buried long time ago
II ! hadn't learned the trick young.
And, besides, l had good look at
the thing.
'I'll give you another bit of my
mind If you like, Steve. I've fig
ured 1t Gut backwards and by de-
duction, but I'll let you have 1t
right end up. You remember the
rat-faced Frenchman?'
81 do" said Quaintance concisely.
"And a cheap looking car we
passed just outside the dock gates
in Long Island city,"
81 didn't notice 1t particularly"
well, the Frenchman was with
II. He followed us down here.
Hes close to us at this moment"
''Where?'' asked Quaintance
eagerly.
Keep COOL" requested OFerral,
gripping him by. the arm as he
would have turned. "Be more cir
cumspect, confound you. What
dyou want to do?"
81 want to spread him to the
four Winds" confessed his COM
panion. II want to feed the fishes
with him. Last night ] offered the
girl a seat when he left her stand
Ing while he was away wrangling
with a waiter about 10 cents. When
he came back he gave me a. scowl
that would have earned him a
broken neck then II she hadn't
been looking on. Let me have just
couple of words with him and
I'll be as circumspect as All
oyster"
what you're going to do at pres
ent is to ignore him." O'Ferral ex-
planned peremptorily.
"And the reason why" he con-
tinued, as Quaintance reluctantly
fell into step with him again, lis
that we want to find out first what
his little game is. It's my belief
that he's out after the girl, too, il
she's anywhere in this neighbor-
hood, we'll let him find her for us.
i have an idea that he thinks you
know good deal more than you do
about her. We don't need to I'M
deceive him, and while he's hang
ing about here she's safe-from
him."
True for YOU" agreed Quaint
ance upon cogitation, and frown-
ing. He's a thoroughly bad egg.
that fellow, and--he seemed to
have some hold over her. I'd give
great deal to find her again,
O'Ferral, and. when ! do"
III you do" corrected his friend
when do" he repeated stub
bornly, TN make quite sure what
It was and then settle scores with
him. Meantime ] suppose / must
Just lie low"
"But what will you do II you find
she's married, or, what's still more
likely, engaged to be married to
somebody else?" O'Ferral asked
gravely.
"She wore no rings" retorted
Quaintance. shes free still, and
that's why I'm in such a hurry.
Let's turn back and get a drink
I'm thirsty"
They faced about, and the
Frenchman, who had drawn closer
Aa they slowed down, suddenly
found himself confronting them.
They drew to one side. and waited
for him to pass.
A wiser man would have gone on
his way and avoided their vicinity