The Washington times., 1913-09-22

prised at my hatless state
There's a motorcycle Out
there. Telephone the Western people
that a machine belonging to one
of their boys is at the station
handed him bill and dashed away
in pursuit OF Mary without awaiting
his answer.
Halfway across the waiting room
sighted vivid splash of scarlet and
knew that / was still unbeaten. She did
not stop at the ticket windows. but went
steadily ahead toward the doors that
lead TO the train concourse, walking al
a rapid pace.
In for a railroad journey" 1 NUT
tered. Where tor
felt In my pockets again and found,
fortunately, that had some money left.
When she disappeared momentarily
through a doorway l was forced to rur,
again. for did not propose to lose sight
10 gateman as l reached the con-
course. Then. to my dismay, l saw the
gate begin to swing shut.
A shout attracted his attention and he
held 1t open for ME as ] ran.
Ticket he said sharply, as | at
tempted to brush past him.
I've git a book" / answered, as
pushed my way through. Can't wait,
old man"
i heard him growing something about
regulations, but he made no further at
tempt to stop me. The scarlet cloak was
come twenty yards ahead of me, and |
followed, prepared to step behind one of
the iron pillars that upheld the shed
II she should chance TO look behind her.
The train conductor was calling "All
aboard" and she quickened her pace 10
a run. followed her example. A brake
man assisted her up the steps of day
coach and l swung aboard at the same
spot just as the train started.
On the platform i paused cautiously,
for ] did not propose yet to let her
know that ] was following ! could see
her red cloak going down the aisle until
she neared the forward end of the car,
where she took vacant seat and i'm
mediately began staring out of the win
dow. There were not many passengers.
] seated myself near the rear door on
the same side Of the car. In front of
me were two men, and / figured that
II would be easy to conceal myself be-
hind them in case she happened to turn
her head.
Not until I was settled in my seat
did il dawn upon me that / had not the
had not even looked at the signboard
in the station. so ardent had been my
anxiety not TO be left behind.
Presently the conductor entered the
car, and came slowly along the aisle,
taking up some tickets and punching
others. Hers he collected. When he
reached me / proffered him s. bill.
Where tor" he inquired.
Where are You going?" I asked.
He stared at NE for a few seconds
and evidently concluded that l was In
toxicated.
This is a New York express" he said
What's your first stop"
Baltimore"
Take out to Baltimore, for the pres
ent," said.
He subjected me to another scrutiny.
but made change without comment and
handed me conductors receipt. | hud-
died down in my seat, SO that NV ewes
were just on a level with the top Of the
seat ahead. where / could Comforta bly,
watch the scarlet cloak without much
danger of detection.
l attempted TO make logical review
OF the situation, but found the task
quite beyond me. The rapid succession
of events had driven logic out OF my
mind. Only two things seemed fairly
clear to me. The first was that my
lady could not be journeying far in a
day-coach at this hour of the night
garbed only in an elaborate evening
toilet and unaccompanied by any bag
gage whatever.
The second was that she was not.
after all a detective. The mera mat
White House settled that, so far as |
was concerned. Everything ihat mad
happened since the moment We entered
the White House was so utterly at vari-
ance with the theory that she was a
professional sleuth that could no
loEger entertain IL. Yet why had she
undertaken the task set her by the tall
man? And who was he? And who to
consider a far more bewildering prob
lem-was she?
As the train rolled northward, she
razed steadily through the window at
the midnight landscape soon ceased
10 fear the possibility of her discover
ing me; her attitude indicated that she