Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-26
SUNDAY MAGAZINE FOR JUNE 2e. 1910


ing at the desk with her back toward him as
he entered, talking in French with the clerk
in charge. She finished and started away.
"Do you speak English?" Mr.. Smith be-
gan monotonously.
Eyes, Monsieur, speak him quite we'll, v
replied the clerk.
"Do you happen to have with you man
known as w. Vaudeville Clarke?"
The clerk glanced involuntarily at the
yelled woman, who turned quickly, inquir-
ingly. At sight of Mr.. Smith she became
rigid where She stood, listening, listening!
mo, Monsieur. He is not here"
HAS he been here? Do you expect
him?"
"He is not here. We do not expect him. "
There's no American or Englishman
with full beard and white hair here? No
man about my size?"
Again the clerk glanced at the young
woman, who, with fingers writhing within
themselves, stood motionless half dozen
feet away
mo, Monsieur" replied the clerk at last
1--WE have them wider and shorter, and
longer and thinner; but none of your size. ;"
Following the clerks glance, Mr.. Smith
turned and recognized the yelled woman
with sort of start. Her eyes met his
squarely for fraction of second then
she turned and went out. A minute later
he went out in the same direction. She was
standing beside taxicab at the curb wait
ing. He knew she would be. She faced him
fatty, almost defantly.
7 AM not mistaken" she asked in tone
= so low he could just hear her. "This is
Mr.. SMITH"
Eyes, ma am" Mr.. Smith thought at
first he knew the voice, knew it as one he
had heard before; but there was some note
in it that made it seem strange. He won
dered if she was going to ask where he lived.
"You don't-don't happen to know who
I ann" she went on, apparently with an
effort.
mo- ma am
She sighed a little; it might have been
relief. "You are looking for Mr.. Clarke, l
believer" There was tense, eager note in
the girls question, a suggestion of fear. Her
veil, and her small fingers gripped her palms
Eyes, ma am," Mr.. Smith replied frankly.
"You don't happen to know where he is, do
your"
MAY I ask-pardon me if my question
seems impertinent-may l ask why you are
looking for Mr.. Clarke?"
Mr.. Smith thoughtfully stroked his chin.
"It's little personal matter, ma am" and
MS voice ndrQeneQ, ntCle IQdtCeI between
us. If it's just the same to you, I'd rather
not tell you"
The girl caught her breath sharply, and
when she spoke again there was AFFECT terror
in her manner II should not have asked,
of course" she apologized quickly, falter-
ingly. "You-you come from the United
States to find Mr.. Clarke?"
"Passaic, New Jersey; yes, ma'am."
"And when you find him3"
Mr.. Smiths straight staring eyes grew
steely, and there was CLINT of danger in
them; his powerful hands worked spasmodi-
cally, his white teeth were locked together.
when find him!" he repeated grim1y.
Then quietly. I'D rather not tell you,
ma am"
For an instant she stood staring at him,
and twice she made as if to speak; then
suddenly, silently, she turned and entered
the taxicab The car jerked and went speed
ing away up the Champs Elysees. For a
long time Mr.. Smith stood gazing after it
blankly, wonderingly.
To be continued next Sunday