The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-09-13
"A WOMAN'S ] { ENCHANT MENT. ] { By William Le Queux 2
 ! Copyright, 1909, by
 William Le Queux

(Cont.nued)
 Where could I find her, do you think?' I added.
 How should know?" "Rut you might make a shrewd guess You admit knowing the youna woman. don't you?'
 "Certainly. She was French-fron Aix, in Provence. believe. But she's not likely to have gone back home"
 'why?"
 Because she has money. and would therefore. keep away from her par ents That class only returns to the maternal roof when stranded"
 t'where shall look for herr"
 My dear fellow. how should krlow?' he repeated. half impatiently q daresay she's to be found sonae- where in Soho."
 ssThat would be dangerous. for the police would discover her." I remark ed.
 'No. Remember that she was seen by only a couple or three persons be- side Garshore. therefore the descrip- ton given to the police must of neces- sity be vague. And. there being some thousands of young Frenchwopaen resident in that quarter of London, she'll be more effectively concealed than if she escaped abroad"
 Scotland Yard has many secret agents in Soho.'' remarked.
 And not one of them will discover the woman Lebas. depend upon it."
 He spoke in tone of quiet convic- tion. with a ring of despair in his voice. My departure for England seemed completely to have unnerved him. It was as though he would have given up all hope of clearing himself rather than I should leave him.
 Come. come" said. 'It is useless taking that tone. At least I can do my best to find the woman Lebas while am in London"
 with what object?'' he inquired.
 with the object of protecting you, Granny"
 He laughed bitterly.
 My dear fellow. you are tilting against the wind. An! I only wish that dare tell you everything. But if I did SO I'd lose your friendship and you are now my only friend.''
 Granny I said, very seriously, "you have already admitted your guilt, but I have not turned my back upon you. You have my deepest sympathy" !"
 'I know. dear old fellov'' he cried, unshed tears standing in his eyes. "And I would tell you all-if I could ah!-if I only could!'
 ''Then tell me where in Soho I may find this Marie Lebas," I remarked. .
 For moment he hesitated.
 Tn Dean street." he said. "There is a hlanchisssuse about half way along on the left, going up from Shaftesbury avenue-name of Perrin. Mime. Per- rin is Marie's friend, just as she is Lydia Popescu's.'
 Next day I left Constantinople by that dusty train of wagons:lits the Orient express. and duly arrived four days later at Charing Cross. in. defi- ance of the surveillance of the met ropolitan police. who no doubt were mystified as to where had been all those weeks. and who would quickly have me beneath their eye again. That night I slept at my chambers. dull and dusty, because of my unexpected re- turn, and next day walked round to Dean street in search of the woman wlo in all probability. knew the req. truth.
 I had no desire to bring inquisitive detectives upon her if I found her. and was therefore delighted to find that the vjgilant watch upon my chambers had been relaxed. If Granny wished to preserve his secret, as it seemed why had ne betrayed the whereabouts of Marie Lebas?
 Without difficulty I found the little French laundry with the name Mime Perrin" painted over the window, but the discovery I made there was sc amazing, so utterly staggering. that was held absolutely speechless-as you. my reader. to whom am now making confession. would have beer had you lived through these hot breathless. never-to-be-f forgotten ter days of mystery as was living al