River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1912-01-11
CHAPTER xxvIl.-(continued.)

Certainly not. At first it struck me
as altogether wrong. but the more |
think of it the stronger it appeals to
me. 1t may reveal to us the whole
conspiracy, and / cannot believe Haw-
ley would venture upon any gross
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-
WINGED Keith that. in all probability,
Miss Maclaire had not, as yet, de-
parted for the scene of her evening
triumph. Still, it could not be long
before she would, and he lit cigar,
sitting down in a corner partially
concealed by the clerks desk to wait
her appearance. This required longer
than anticipated, and fearing lest he
might have missed the departure en-
tirely, he was about to question the
busy Thomas, when he beheld Hawley
enter hurriedly from the street and
run up the stairs. He. then, had been
the laggard. All the better, as he
would now have no opportunity to I'M
fold his tale to the lady, as it would
be necessary for them to hurry to the
theater. Whatever the nature of the
revelation 1t would have to wait until
the walk home. The excitement of
the adventure was already creeping
into Keith's blood, his pulse quicken
ing.
The two returned almost immedi-
ately. conclusively proving that Miss
Maclaire. fully dressed for the street.
had been awaiting the arrival of her
gallant with some impatience. Hawley
was busily explaining his delay as
they came down the stairs, and paid
little attention to the seemingly de-
serted office. Indeed, Miss Christie
monopolized all his thoughts. With
quick scrutiny the watcher noted the
more conspicuous articles of apparel
constituting her costume-the white
mantilla thrown over her head, the
neatly fitting blue dress, the light
cape covering the shoulders-surely
it would not be difficult to duplicate
these, so as to pass muster under the
dim light of the streets. Far enough
an their rear to feel safe from obser-
vatioA he followed. noting with in
creased pleasure the rapidity with
which they covered the required dis
sance. Clearly Miss Christie was al
ready nervous lest she have not suf-
ficient time remaining in which to
properly dress for her act, and there
would be no exchange of condolences
on the outward journey. Hawley left
her. as Keith anticipated, at the stage
entrance, the lady Fastening within.
Her escort strolled leisurely back to
the front of the house, and finally.
purchasing ticket. entered, the per-
Torrance already having begun.
Keith knew perfectly the arrange
ment of the theater-the seats in
front; tables all through the center:
a gallery filed with benches; a noisy
orchestra beneath the stage; crowd
ed audience of men, with only here
and there a scattered representative
of the gentler sex; busy walters dodg-
ing in and out among the tables. and
down the aisles. filling orders tor
liquids from the nearby saloon. The
air would be pungent with the odor
of drink. thick with the fumes of to-
bacco. and noisy with voices. except
as some special favorite on the stage
won temporary attention. The Troca
dero possessed but one redeeming
feature-no doorway connected stage
and auditorium. and the management
/ brooked no interference with his
h artists, 1t had required some nerve
to originally enforce this rule. togeth-
er with a smart fight or two. but at
this period it was acknowledged and
respected. No sooner had Hawley
vanished than Keith found occasion
TO enter into casual conversation with
the door-keeper, asking a number OF
questions. and leaving impressed
upon the mind of that astute individ-
uv.l the idea that he was dealing with
a gent enamored of one of the
stage beauties. A coin slipped quietly
into the mans hand served to deepen
this impression. and unlocked discreet
lips otherwise sworn to secrecy. Out
of much general information a little
Of real value was thus extracted