Omaha daily bee., 1911-04-09

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self for nothing, she had engaged herself
TO interest Miss stewart tn thc matter.
Miss Stewart was very-fne looking and
would make a splendid picture. She had
a small one IN her room now. Could tho
agent see it, just for moment The girl
ran and got it, IL would he difficult &c
catch Miss Stewart at home the servant
said because she was out a great deal
She dlned every evening at cafe ON Sec
oud Avenue because she liked the music.
That was ali the clerk could find out
Upon the clerks assurance that he could
recognize her by her picture. Groscup took
him out to the cafe that evening, After he
had hung up his coat the lawyer went
TO the head waiter and handed him a $40
bill. telling him he wished 60 be seated
at the same table with "A certain lady as
soon as she came in. The waiter promised
to reserve a table Tor them. and went to
do so. The two men sat in a little recep-
ton room off the hall, and as soon as
Miss Stewart came up the stairs the clerk
recognized her. She was tall apparently
between % and 80. with a striking face that
had almost too much character in 1t to be
beautiful, and figure which the clerk
said would veN q saint.
As soon as he had pointed her out, the
clerk left the place, and the lawyer IN
dictated to the hesd-wsiter that that was
the lady he meant. The walter smiled. You
are not the first. sir, on that lay, not by
no means" he said. "BuJ ! tell YOU sir
coming close enough to whisper, Its no SO.
sir She's as straight as a string, She
used to come here with a handsome young
fellow. black mustache and Nandyke.
think they are married.
Perhaps they were lovers ventured
the lawyer.
No. sir. We know them. When lovers
have had good dinner together, the man
always slobhcrs over the girl a bit and
pats her as he helps her on with her coat
and all that. sir There was none OF that
about them I Judge they were about five
years married, and we'll suited to each
other. a fine looking couple, sir. But 1
haven't seen him for a couple of weeks
/ think 1 could take you 10 that table
now, sir You see, have been careful to
fill all the others near IT,, so that it Will
look more natural"
Groscup bowed, continental fashion, on
taking his seat. The young woman smiled
in return and seemed not averse to a lit
tie conversation, the opening selection OF
the orchestra furnishing the excuse. Her
accent was decidedly English, and her
voice was particularly sweet and low, She
ate with the fastidious ease Of thoroughly
well bred woman Groscup felt rather
guilty as he became conscious OF the fact
that they were very much observed by the
other diners.
Would she share a bottle Of wine with
him? with pleasure Groscup felt that he
was getting along famously. She was in
no hurry, apparently, and begged him to
smoke
Il used to smoke cigarettes at dinner
when l was in Russia she said, but it
does not seem to be the thing in this coun-
try. We do 1t in England in private houses,
you know"
This seemed to open the way for some
chat about travel and about the people
one meets Groscup managed to mention
Mr., Frank Douglas, who was then abroad
and enjoying himself immensely. lie
watched her closely as he mentioned tho
name, but her face gave no sign. He man
aged to twist the conversation round in
such a manner that he was able to bring
in the names OF every person connected
with the affair which was uppermost in
his thoughts. lie even limited at the story
of the bet at the dinner. lie tried every
artifice known to the expert cross-ex-
aminer, hoping to trap his fair companion
into remark, look, a recognition, a
est.
1t was useless
He realized that he was talking to a
charming woman, with a wide knowledge
of the world and its affairs, but who knew
how to keep her own counsel. She did not
offer to give him her name, although he
mentioned his own several times. When
he finally assisted her TO put on her wrap,
and handed her into cab after she had
positively declined his offer to see her
home and had skllfully parted all his
hints about meeting her again, he lit an
other cigar, and went back to his table
to think it over.
She was either consumate actor, or else
she had never heard any such names in
her life as Maynard, or Milton Fletcher
, or Maxwell, or James Walton, or George
: Hartley, or Frank Douglas, or DR.. Rame
OF one thing Groscup was quite satisfied
She had not the slightest interest in learn
ing the present whereabouts of Maxwell
The head-waiter stepped up to the table
as the lawyer sat smoking, and made some
. pretense Of arranging glasses. He hoped
the gentleman had enjoyed the evening. IL,
had; very much. Thinking that he might
I have occasion to use the same privneg,
again, he pulled out another bill and slipped
It into the walters hand. The tip seemed
20 inspire its recipient with a desire to Dc
something more for him.
Il saw you were getting along all right
sir" he said "Other gentlemen have trieC
It and had a good time for one evening
sir. OF course, you know, sir we have al
sorts OF queer people come in here. Some
we can size up quick, others is too deeI
for US, sir, She the best locker we've haC
in here this winter. ! thought 1 was OF
one night, sir when the Inspector came II
here IN plain clothes and took a place
where he could size her up He didn't say
anything 20 me about that being what h'
was after; but / could see he was muggini
her all the time he was eating his dinner
l thought perhaps she belonged to som'
gang, smugglers perhaps. They're all good
lockers. Then he went out In the cloal
room, and felt around until ne found
loaded revolver In a heavy winter coat.
saw him take a peep at It and smile L
himself Then he put man TO watch WHIT
handed in the check for that coat, sir. Yes
sir. We have queer people come IN here.
Il suppose IL was her COat"'