The Washington times., 1909-03-22

1
~ follow up this clue at once. he
| n was obliged 10 seave the matter
for the present, in the hands OF
his friend Clayton.
He himself was forced TO hurry 10
the office. The visit to the library had
already made him late. He couldn't
afford TO delay another minute.
Business first and pleasure after
ward" was a maxim he always fol-
lowed religiously.
Clayton generously offered TO spend
ALI day, If necessary, in finding the girl
and solving the mystery Of the sinister
looking Italians interest in her photo
graph. His time was his own and ne
could afford to devote as much of it as
he wished to this case
You go to your work, old man." he
told Leslie. 'I'n go see this Mrs. Mar
tin at 612 Melville street. and find out
what she knows about the girl and the
Italian and the picture in the HbTl Try
book. I expect to have the whole tiung
cleared up by the time you return From
The office this evening"
Leslie gratefully accepted this offer.
An hour later he arrived at the office of
harrington & Sons; wholesale diamond
dealers, on Maiden lane, and seating
himself at his desk, sought 10 drive all
thoughts OF the girl from his mind and
to confine his attention strictly to the
business before him.
Ia this respect he was not quite sue
cessful, however. AS he sat porting over
the books Of the firm and endeavoring
TO add up long columns of figures the
face IN the photograph Kept floating be-
fore his eyes and played sad havoc With
his arithmetic.
The photograph itself was in his in
side coat pocket He haAi refused to al
low It out of his possession, although
his friend Clayton had tried to persuade
him TO loan It to him fer a few hours,
as it might help him greatly in his in
vestigations.
mo. You might lose it," the strange
ly infatuated young man had answered
firmly. You'll have 10 get along as
well as you can without II. Steve.
won't part with It even for five min
utes."
For three hours after reaching the Of
fee he fought against the temptation 10
take the picture from his pocket and
feast his eyes upon those beautiful
features.
Such a course would be reprehensibly
unbusinesslike he realized. He had no
right to pay any attention 10 his per
scnaI affairs during business hours
Therefore, he struggled hard to resist
the impulse.
At last he felt that he could n
longer resist the temptation to look q
the picture in his pocket. He desplse,
himself for his weakness, but that di.
not prevent him from drawing out the
photograph.
I'll take just one little peep at If
and then put II right back he prom
Used himself Perhaps I shall be able
TO give more attention TO my work
You certainly are a beauty" he
murmured as he gazed admiringIy at
the portrait. I'D giTe great deaf 10
know you. The more I look at your
picture the more I am IN love with
you
I'm love, eh2' eX claimed a mockiuf
voice, close behind lin. and with Grim
harrington, the junior partner, stand
ing at his elbow.
A very good looking young man was
Mr.. Arthur harrington. despite the fact
that his chin was decidedly weak. and
the shape Of his mouth denoted selfish
ness and lack OF self-restraint.
He was past thirty; but being clean
shaver and exceedingly fair-skinne5
he did not appear to be anywhere near
that age.
He was dressed in the height Of
fashion, and big diamond flashed
from his somewhat viVid-hued cravaf
In his hand he carried a light gold
headed cane: for, although it was
nearly q 40 fasC
at the office. PunctUalfCy and atten-