The Springfield herald., 1913-07-18

when she first came into the lobby.
She was talking to her daughter who
was with her. and looked natural and
happy But no sooner had she seen
and read that bulletin, than the blood
shot up into her face and her manner
became furtive and hasty. Almost be-
fore could point her out. she had
seized her daughter by the arm and
hurried her towards the elevator. Her
room Is on the seventh floor. number
712, and her name Is is<Watkins. Mrs.
Horace Watkins of Nashville"
Call the desk. Say that I'm to be
told If Mrs Watkins OF Nashville
rings up during the next ten min
utes. Well give her that long to take
some action"
Sweetwater did As he was bid.
then went back to his place In the
lobby.
But he returned almost instantly.
Mrs. Watkins has just telephoned
down that she is going toto leave.
sir" gIl
ITO leave?"
The old man struggled to his feet.
mo. 712. do you say? Seven stories. %
he sighed. But as he turned with a
hobble, he stopped. There are diff
Equities in the way of this interview"
he remarked. "A blush is not much
to go upon. I'm afraid we shall have
to resort to the shadow business and
that is your work. not mine"
But here the door opened and a
boy brought in line which had been
left at the desk. 1t related to the
very matter then engaging them. and
ran thus:-
I see that Information is desired as
to whether any person was seen to
stoop to the lobby floor last night at
or shortly after the critical moment
of Miss Challoner's fall in the half
story above. can give such infor-
nation. wasin the lobby at the time.
and in the height of the confusion fol-
lowing this alarming incident, I re-
member seeing 9 lady-one OF the
new arrivals (there were several COM
ing in at the time)-stoop quickly
down and pick up something from the
floor. thought nothing Of 1t at the
time. and SO paid little attention to
her appearance. ] can only recall
the suddenness with which she
stopped and the color of the cloak she
wore. 1t was red, and the whole gar
ment was voluminous. II you wish fur
ther particulars-though in truth. l
have no more to give, you can find me
in room 1856
"HENRY A. M'ELROY."
"Humph! This should simplify our
task" was Mr.. Gryce's comment. as
he handed the note over to Sweetwa-
ter. You can easily fnd out II the
lady. now on the point OF departure.
can be Identified with the one de-
scribed by Mr.. McElroy. II she can.
am ready to meet her anywhere"
And SO it happened that Just as Mrs.
Watkins was watching the wheeling
out of her trunks, there appeared in
the doorway before her. an elderly
gentleman, whose expression. always
benevolent, save at moments when
benevolence would be quite out Of
keeping with the situation. had for
some reason, 10 marked an eject up
on her. that she colored under his eye.
and. indeed. showed such embarrass-
ment, that all doubt Of the propriety
Of his intrusion vanished from the old
mans mind. and with the ease OF one
only too well accustomed to such
scenes, he kindly remarked:
Am l speaking to Mrs. Watkins
Of Nashville?"
You are" she faltered. with anoth-
er rapid change of color IL am
just leaving. l hope you will excuse
me. l."
Il wish could" he smiled. hobbling
in and confronting her quietly in her
own room But circumstances make