The copper era and Morenci leader., 1912-04-26

E h E h A
 opinion of his ally. There is too much
 at stake. Wait here, Hope, and I will
 be back the very moment I learn all
 that is necessary"
 A glance at the office clock con-
 vinced Keith that, in all probability,
 Miss Maclatre 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 a 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 un- 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 lAtO hcllA DlOOQs HIS pulSS QuiShOA- ing.
 The two returned almost immedt- 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 ofice. 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 in their rear to feel safe from obser- vatton he followed, noting with in- creased pleasure the rapidity with which they covered the required dis tance. Clearly Miss Christie was al- ready nervous lest she have not suf- dcfent 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 hastening within. Her escort strolled leisurely back to the front of the house, and finally, formance 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 for 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 artists. It had required some nerve to originally enforce this rule, togeth- CT 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 indivfd- ual the idea that he was dealing with
 &f 0R @I> 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 8 little of real value was thus extracted- Miss Macsare's set began at g: 46 end was over promptly at 1e: 10. 1t re- quired about twenty mfnatss moro ror her to change again into street clothes, and she usually left the thea ter immediately after, which would be s6oat 1o:3 %. Yes, there was a vest&- bxss outside the stage dooF, and ea bad n&shts, tttass waiting for the h. d5es o0ald sH9 la there. But on ssch . night as this they generally hung nrosaAd outside No, there was no waSeAnaA, bet the manager was ire aasatay proving. around. He'd 6e busy, however, It 1s:3e, getting the stage ready for the Flying Her Abundantly satisfied and rs- ytsttng the door-keeper's professional suggestion that he'd better buy . ticket and take . look at the show, Keith slipped away, and hastened back to the hotel. The more he investi- gated the more feaeiblo appeared the girls plan. and he was now fully com mittsd to it,