The Washington times., 1913-02-22
CHAPTER vIII.-(Continued.)
((n ARDoN me. this is M
W. Whitaker"

A man stood beside the
little table-one whom Whit
aker had indifferently noticed when he
entered as an equally companionless
lovnger at another table.
Though he frowned involuntarily with
annoyance, he couldn't well deny his
identity.
Yes" he said. shortly. looking the
man up and down with captious eye.
Yet II was hard to find much fault
with this invader OF his pre-occupation.
He had the poise and the dress Of q
gentleman-dignity without aggressive
ness, completeness without ostentation.
He had a spare, NOT ungraceful body.
a plain, dark face, humorous mouth,
steady eyes. A man easily forgotten or
overlooked unles he wflled it otherwise.
My name is Ember." he said. quietly.
IF you'll permit me-my card" He Of
with the name of Martin Ember. And
III sit down, because / want to talk to
you for a few minutes"
Accordingly. he sat down. Whitaker
glanced at the card, and questioningly
Il don't know you. but What are
We to talk about, please?'
The man smiled, not unpleasantly.
Mrs. Whitaker he said. Whitaker
started, frowned and jumped at a con-
cluson.
VOC represent Mrs. whitaker"
Mr.. Ember shook his head. I'm no
lawyer, thank heavens, But ! happen
TO know a good deal it would be to
your advantage to know, SO I've taken
this liberty:
Then how-what the deuce
II happened to have a seat near your
box at the theater tonight Mr.. Ember
explained cody. From what I saw
there l inferred that you must be
yourself
'-Afterward I got hold of Max. con-
hrmed my suspicion, and extracted
your address from him. .a-..
II see," said Whitaker slowly-not
comprehending the main issue at all.
But I'm not known here by the name
of Whitaker"
$50 / discovered said Ember with
his quiet. engaging smile. IF ] hadn't
that you sometimes regis
cred as Hugh Morten-as for instanc.
at the Commercial House six years
ago"
.You were there?"
"A considerable time after the event
yes" The man nodded, his eyes glim-
mering.
Whitaker shot a quick glance around
the room, and was relieved to find they
other occupied tables.
VINO the deuce are you?" he de-
manded bluntly.
Il was" said the other slowly, "once
a private detective. Sow-rm a person
Of no particular employment of inde-
pendent means, with a penchant-you'r
at liberty to assume-for poking my
nose into other peoples business"
A word - Iackmaii" - Ieaped into
" hitaker's consciousness and served TO
harden the hostility in his attitude.
Mrs. George Petit once employed me
10 find her sister. Miss Mary Ladislas.
who had run away with chauffeur
AIMED Morten," pursued the man even
~. THAT was about the time-shortly
say two months after the so-called
Just minute said Whitaker sud
denly. BY your leave
Ember bowed gravely. For a thought
onSer Whitakers gaze bored into his
going on behind them. the animus un-
discovered by his speech; then. remem- |
Dering. he looked down at the cable |
message in his hand.
Martin Ember" dt RAM private |
agency, 1885 Broadway. Grace Petit"
Whitaker folded the paper and put It
lway in pocket.
GO on. please" he said quietly.
In those days" Mr.. Ember resumed. |
L did such things indifferently we'll I |
lad little trouble in following the rum
ways from Southampton to Greenport. |
rher they parted. The girl crossed to !
he Connecticut shore, while the man |
vent back to New York with the au- |
Omobile. He turned the machine In at |
he Ladislas garage, by the way. and |
fell into the hands of the |
,olice. He was wanted for theft In a |
ormer position. was arrested. convict |
d and sent to Sing Sing. where he |
presently died. I'm glad to say. ii
hought this information might interest |
'ou.'
Whitaker nodded grimly.
Can I order you something to |
Irinli?"
mo. thank you-and I'm already
moking." Mr.. Ember dropped the |
sh from a cigar. ION the Connecti- |
ut side tbecause It was my business
0 find out things) I discovered that
fiss Ladislas had registered at the |
Commercial House as Mrs. Mortsn.
'hs was there, alone under that mama.