The state herald., 1912-02-09
CHAPTER xXvlI.-(contlnued.)

Certainly not At first II struck me
as altogether wrong, but the more |
think OF It the stronger Il appeals to
me. II may reveal to us the whole
conspiracy. and | cannot believe Haw.
ley would venture upon any gross
familiarity likely to cost him the good
opinion OF his ally. There is too much
at stake Wait here. Hope. and will
be back the very moment learn all
that is necessary"
A glance at the office clock con.
vinced Keith that, In all probability.
Miss Maclaire had not. as yet. de.
parted for tie scene Of her evening
triumph, Sun, II could not be long
before she would. and he III a cigar.
sitting down In corner partially
concealed by the clerks desk to wait
her appearar ce, This required longer
than anticipated. and fearing lest he
might have missed the departure en-.
urely, he was about to question the
busy Thomas. when he beheld Hawley
enter hurrledly from the street and
run up the stairs. lie. then. had been
the inEgard Al the better, as he
would now have no opportunity TO un.
fold bis tale 10 tho lady. as II would
be necessary for them TO hurry TO the
theatcr Whatever the nnturo Of the
revelation II would have to wait until
the walk home The excitement OF
the adventure was already creeping
into kel'h's blood, his pllse quicken.
ing
The tive returned almost immcdi.
atoly. cunClusiyely proving that Miss
Maolairc, lully dressed for the street.
had been awaiting the arrival OF her
gallant with some lmpatieneo Ilawiey
was busily explaining his delay as
they came down tho stairs. and paid
little attention to the seemingly de
serted oflce. Indeed. Miss Christie
monopollycd an his thoughts. win
quick scrutiny the watcher noted the
more conspicuous articles af npunrai
constituting her eostumo-the whit.
munulln thrown over h.F head. tho
neatly ntiiug blue dress. the light
cape covering the Hhuuldara-surely
" would NOT be- difficult 10 dupllcate
these. No na 10 paHs muster under tho
dim llEhi Of the streets Far enough
Iu their rear 10 feel safe from obscr.
walton De followed noting with IN.
creased pleasure the mpldify with
which hry covered tho required dis.
tanco Cl~zrly Miss Christie Wns nj.
ready nervous l"at she have not suf.
hcicni time remaining 10 which 10
properly dress Tor her act. ana there
would be- no exchange Of condolences
on the outward journey ilnwioy l.f,
h"r, hn Keith anticipated. ~ the staso
entrance, the lady Fastening within
Tier escort strallcd ieisutoiY back to
the front Of the house. aud nBnity
purchasing ticket, entered. tho Der,
iormancs already having begun
Keith knew perfectly the arrange.
mcnt Of the thchtef-tha seats IN
front. tables oil through the center,
"a gallery nllcd with benches. a NOISY
orchestra beneath the stage. a crowd.
rd audience NJ men. with only nero
ana there a scattered Representative
81 the Eentlsf bst; busy walters dodp
ING In and out among tho tables, ana
down the aislrs. nliing orders tor
liquids from the nrafhy saloon. Tho
Air would bo nunHsnt with tho odor
ui drink, thick with the fumes OF TO.
hAceo, and noisy with yaio6H, afrspt
90 some special fayorits an the stage
won temporary attention The Troca
dero POSSESSED but one fadeoming
ioatufe=uo doorway connected stage
and auditorium. and the management
hfooked no Interference with mis-
artists q had required some nerve