The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1912-04-05
CHAPTER XxVII.-(continued.)

certainly not At first 1t struck me
as altogether wrong, but the more
think of 1t the stronger it appeals to
me- 1t 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
DO 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, 1t could not be long
before she would, and he lit cigar,
sitting down in a corner partially
concealed by the clerks desk to walt
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 hurredly from the street ana
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 1t would
be necessary for them to hurry to the
theater. Whatever the nature OF the
revelation it 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 immedl-
ately, conclusively proving that MISS
Maclaire, fully dressed for the street.
had been awaiting the arrival OF her
gallant with some Impotence. Hawley
was husily explaining his delay as
they came down the stairs and PAID
little attention to the seemingly de-
serted office. Indeed, Miss Christie
mouopolized 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
cane covering the shoulders-surely
Ct 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-
vation he followed, noting with In
creased pleasure the rapidly with
which they covered the required dis
lance Clearly Miss Christie was al
ready nervous lest she have not sur
ficient time remaining in which 10
nronerly dress for her act, and there
would he no exchange of condolences
on the outward journey. Hawley LETT
her. as Keith anticipated. at the stage
entrance. the lady Fastening within
Her escort strolled leisurely back 70
the front of the house. anu nnaliy
purchasing a ticket, entered. the per
formance already having begun.
Keith knew perfectly the arrange
mont of the theater-the seats II
front; tables all through the center
a gallery filed with benches; NOISY
orchestra beneath the stage; a crowd
ad audience of men, with only here
and there scattered representative
of the gentlef sex; busy walters doug
ing in and out among the tables an'
down the aisles. filing orders 10
uouids from the nearby saloon. INT
air would be pungent with the odo
of drink. thick with the fumes oil 70
bacco, and noisy with voices. excep
as some special favorite on the stag
won temporary attention. The Troca
dero possessed but one reoeemlnl
feature-no doorway connected stas
and auditorium. and the managemen
brooked no interference with ~
artists. It had required some ner'