The San Francisco call., 1910-02-27
The San Francisco Sunday Call
W Q l. F
- SSHE SOClETY

unthnking condolences of childs affection.
sYou need think no more of it, Miss Keith"
said Carter finally Il will take the affair upon my
self. l Will walk back with you to your house and
you can send for the machine She
nodded and they made the journey almost in silence.
The prospect of action relieved him His cold
reason had little fault find with the antics of that
something else within his heart when he parted from
her.
Carter took the late train to the city that evening
and mapped out his plan during the ride He
first find Coskar, track him his quarters, learn his
condition and see his companions. He must find
way to bring pressure upon him 1t would
not be difficult if reports had been true Then sud
denly, he remembered when he had last seen the
wastre and that Coskar had been in company with
about whose figure he had noticed touch of
familiarity. That recollection blossomed now, for
it to him that the second man had been
Arnold St. Geoffry.
JUST LIKE BURGLAR
Carter had never forgotten St Geoffry Since the
frustrated elopement with Mrs. Champney the
younger OF fallen British house had played
very small and obscure part in the social world
Carters private information that St. Geoffry
eked precarious livelihood by despoiling the but
terfy youth that could be brought iuttering
certain card clubs Meanwhile he knew the Eng
ishman for INSCRIPTIONS schemer and his
daily. If St. Geoffry had hand in this blackmail-
ing plot, why so much the better.
He took up his post opposite the lkeliest card
club about midnight, trusting that he might find one
of the he sought after the reapng of the nightly
harvest. 1t was we'll into the morning, though still
dark, when he saw St. Godfrey saunter down the
steps The Engshman in long black coat and opera
hat, waited a moment in the street and joined
a minute later by another man similarly dressed
of+
Jerry Coskar. The two walked eastward, in
close converse, Carter following at discreet dis
tance. In the block between Lexington and Third
avenues they turned into apartment house of
very ordinary appearance.
The Virginian stepped to the opposite sidewalk
and watched for light to show. The front of the
building remained blank With quick look up and
down tht empty street he crept down the basement
steps The door into the cellar was unatched and
he passed through feeling his way slowly along the
rough stone walls, around empty barrels and piles
of rubbish. Ten minutes of painful cropping through
the darkness brought him to the passage into the
yard. Above, the third floor, two windows
showed lights
With light spring Carter caught the top of the
fence and pulled himself up 1t the definite step
into danger now. From this point he was nothing
better than burglar and must take his chances
But he to see the inside of that third floor
weight the wall of the building he was able to
catch the bars of the fire escape After short
struggle he stood the little platform Before
going any further he provided for retreat by un-
hooking the last iron ladder from where it hung
and placing it in position to the ground Then he
started to climb
Crouched on the fire escape landing at the third
floor, Carter held himself we'll back and peered about
the wall into the 1t poorly furnished
xyith ctairS nd tab cd cta baz
which St. Geoffry and Caskar facing each other
They had thrown aside overcoats and hats, but
retained dress attire. They were bent close over
several slips of paper. Coskar was figuring with
pencil. Between them little pile of bills and
some silver. A gas jet hared overhead.
Carters motive had been to identity the two men
and their dwelling place beyond possibility of
From that point he looked to be guided by chance,
to either opportunity to search their rooms or
kind of clew to the whereabouts of the vital
letter He had not the slightest doubt that St
Geofry had planned the backmaing. He settled
himself on the platform to watch for the remaining
half hour before dawn
St. Geoffry and Coskar were talking, but Carter
could catch their words. After time Coskar
pushed back his chair and waved paper before the
other with gesture of finality ST. Geoffry nodded
rose yawned and walked slowly to the window
Carter drew back to the verge of the platform. St
GeOHIyS SnaQOW 1eH across the DarS almost at MS
teet; presently it moved away and again he ven
tured look
Coskar had left the room A faint glow through
a door at the opposite side showed short hallway.
St Geoffry slipping off his dress coat, pausng
to yawn again in the operation. He hung the gar
ment carefully over the back of a chair. Then he
unbutoned his waistcoat, took it off and threw it
carelessy the coat He picked cigarette from
box the table, lighted it leisurely and went
out into the hallway, turning into another room, the
entrance to which was beyond Carter's vision.
THE PINNED POCKET
The Virgnian followed ST. Geofrys every move
ment and continued his inspection of the place with
alert eyes. He could nothing that might aid him.
He held his post minute, two minutes, then made
ready to descend As he turned away his glance fell
upon St Geoffrys waistcoat It was folded over the