The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1909-06-09

ncT lLOuB toldhus
He hired a small auto, and hav-
| ing made inquiry about her at
Long Island City, he discovered a
dockhand who recalled having
seen lady alone in runabout
leave the boat between nine and
ten on the previous night, and
from the description he had no
doubt that 1t must have been the
girl he was seeking. But which
way she had gone no one could
inform him, and, while he stood
there debating the best road to
follow, a big new touring car
passed at an easy pace.
He ducked down behind his own
machine as he recognized at the
wheel of the other, beside a gray
haired individual unknown to
him, the man he had seen over
might at Martins. A sudden sus-
lpicion shot through his mind. He
promptly decided to act on that.
Quaintance had not been idle
since he and O'Ferral had parted,
during the small hours. He had
found it vain to seek sleep. while
his brain was yet busy with the
strange events of the evening.
Dawn found him pacing his room.
He had been thinking during
the dark hours OF a face too fair
soon to be forgotten. He had been
wondering whether he could for
get it in time. And daylight
brought clear understanding. He
could not.
He must find her again, at all
costs. BY 8 o'clock he had OFFER
raj on the phone, and Immediately
after breakfast he bought a high
powered and no less high-priced
Automobile.
Then, as soon as he could get in
touch with O'Ferral again, he had
insisted on taking him out for a
trial spin. -
The correspondent by curious
coincidence was called to Rocka-
way Beach. If Quaintance could
carry him thiether, and back to
the Cornucopia club, 1t would be
convenient to join him. Quaint
ance could. They crossed the fer
ry and headed through Far Rock
away to the beach, where they
drew up at the Inn, alighted, re-
freshed themselves, and strolled
toward the shore.
| Jules Chevrel, following from
| the ferry at a safe distance, also
stopped at the Inn long enough
to absorb two trimming bumpers
of absinthe frappee, and set out
to dog them afoot. 81
The two men strolled slowly
along the boardwalk, discussing
the topic uppermost In Quaint
ance's mind.
81 wish I had got a better view
of the runabout that girl was driv-
ing last night" he remarked. "I
don't believe I'd know it again un-
less she were in 1t herself"
I 81 should" answered his COM
|panion. cit was a Cadillac, two
seated, model @, '06, lacquered in
olive green, dark canvas cape-cart
hood, three headlamps. Most oil
the brasswork had been coated
over, to save cleaning. The only
thing I couldn't get lone on was
the number-it was too thick with
dust"
you're a marvel" said Quaint
ance. when special correspond
ing becomes a lost art, you ought
to get good pay as a detective.
How did you manage to notice so
much in such short time, chr
1.-THE faculty of observation,
retorted his friend. "In my trade
one has to be as quick as snap-l
shot and accurate as an adding ma
chine at the same time. I'd have
been dead and buried long time
ago IL / hadn't learned the trick.
I'll give you another bit of my
mind IL you like. Steve. You re-
member the rat-faced French
mani"
81 do" said Quaintance concise
ly.
"And 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
|it. He followed us down here. |
He's close to us at this moment.
"where?" asked Quaintancel
eagerly.
Keep COOL" requested O'Fer-l
raj, gripping him by the arm as hel
would have turned. "Be morej
circumspect. confound you. What
d'you want to do?"
IT want to feed the fishes with
him." confessed his companion.
Last night I offered the girl al
seat when he left her standing
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 oil
broken neck then IL she hadn't
been looking on. Let me have
Just a couple of words with him
and I'll be as circumspect as an
oyster."
What you're going to do al
present is to ignore him." O'Fer4I
raj declared peremptorily. "Ancj
the reason why" he continued, as
Quaintance reluctantly fell into
step with him again, sis that wei
want to find out first what hi
little game Is. It's my belief thai
he's out after the girl, too. and, III
the's anywhere in this neighbor
hood we'll let him find her for Ms