The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-11-20

the foot of the area steps, and presently |
the bottle man came up, minus his bag /
What fools trick is this7'' she said |
in low voice. DO you think am going |
10 have my house surrounded by police |
and raided for worthless scamp Ike
you. tell you I won't have II. l have
just come from Harrington street, ana
Ccxon told me you were out.
The bottle man threw OF his nat ana
wig. and laughed coolly
my dear Francesca" he said, don't
make a fuss. There is only one dunder-
headed idiot OF a detectiva loafng about
outside. and he had no idea who / was
"But he will hayo If you stay here
long, the woman retorted. Bottle men
don't. as a rule, pay visits to private
houses
''I'll be on soon," he answered, calmly.
I've been out all day trying TO raise
some money. They've stopped the ac-
count at the bank in Usber's name, and
I don't possess the price OF drink. Have
you got any money. 'Cesca, old girig
The woman laughed shortly. You are
certainly a cool customer" she cried
You don't write TO me for two years,
and you go OFF with your friend. stephen
Usher; then, wien you find yourself
tricks, you come to me for help
He looked at her with lazy amusement
In his eyes. And you'll help me, won't
you? l know I'm bad egg, but we al
ways agreed TO be pals and help each
other when we were IN fix, didn't WeF'
Considering you were the only one in
Axes / have not had much fun out of
Il" the woman answered. dryly Il have
kept 90 my profession. and worked pretty
hard, and not a soul guesses that l even
know you by name When you sent me
that wire this morning l took the pre-
caution OF going in my stage masculine
attire I'm case was recognized. and a
nice little adventure 1 had. too
''What do you mean?' he said. sharply.
II was followed by Sir Douglas Nal
laby from Harrington street. and he in
sisted upon coming in and asking ques-
tons about you-which I answered"
knights face grew black with sudden
hate. THAT chap ccnfound him." he
muttered. 80 he Is trying to find me,
Is he? What did you tell hlm?"
'Oh. I didn't give you away" she an
swered. He was most keen on finding
out II you had a past and / said you
had-most men had. Why. what's the
matterY' she cried. as he sprang to his
feet and uttered sharp exclamation.
THAT man is my bitterest enemy" he
said. quickly. He hates me as bitterly as
I do him He Is having me Swallowed all
over the place. and he is trying to drive
me into a corner. II We meet face to
face one of US shall so under"
She looked at him curiously. II don't
know what game you have been playing,
nor why they call you Usher: I hope.
though. that you've not been going too
far she went on. II don't know your
business, and you don't tell me, but II
you have been playing any hanky-panky
tricks with another mans name, you
deserve all you get. and that's downright
TRUTH
knight paced the -four with restless
steps. Since he had taken on Stephen
Usher's name he had planned big things,
and none OF them had come of He had
failed In the object OF his visit 10 Luck
House, and had been obliged 20 run
away instead Of finding the treasure Of
which the miniature that Craven had
| stolen had Informed him. Then. lastly.
he had fallen in love with the girl he
! had used as a tool in his schemes. and
! now he was facing disaster.
he turned 10 Francesca and said quick
/ ~. II can't tell you anything now
might see you again; I might not. But
! do thank you for having tried to help
me. You have always been a good sort
and"
That's all right" Nine Valco said
abruptly. Don't make a fool OF your
/ self. for goodness sake ] know I'm
selfish. but l don't want to be mixed up
in a scandal. You know how particular
/ one has 10 be nowadays. and police
court affair would not help me much"
| He smiled grimly. Il should have
/ thought that IL would be a good profess
| sional advertisement; but, never fear.
won't bother you again. ] thought you
/ might be useful. I see now you are the
/ reverse" Then, without another glance
| at her, ne put on the wig and hat of the
/ bottle man. and left the house
Nine. Valco gazed after him thought
| fully. What made him suddenly afraid
10 stay here any longer?" she murmured.
1.-THE moment said Sir Douglas Nal
! laby had been asking ne questions. he
was anxious 10 be off-and yet he is not
/ a coward %
/ The next moment she had uttered an
| exclamation. Il know What a fool I
was! Now I see why he was so suddenly
eager. The game he has played is a
deeper one than I expect, and consider
1t my duty 10 look into 1t a bit more
| carefully" Then she sat down and took
up the card Sir Douglas had given to
her Luck House. Barton Telford, Corn
wall" she murmured. It's as well 10
keep that address in mind"
To BE CONTINUED TOMORROW.
! fCopytight lap by ina North Anaa5.sy gasana,v 4