The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1914-04-26

between fresh outbursts of crying. Il
was af-f-fraid p-p-poor Mr.. Captain
would be killed. We were h-h-having
t-t-tea here, and he w-w-went to his
room, and | heard an awful noise on
the stairs-and | rushed out-and there
was Mr.. Vanderdecken-and really
had to scream"
The gentleman isn't Mr.. Vanderdeck-
en-, madam replied the detective,
though that MAJ for the moment be
one of his many aliases. At present
he and the lady called Mrs. Wander
decken are wanted in connection with
the Montgomery pearl robbery
Good Lord! cried Mr.. Captain.
But Mrs. Vanderdecken engaged mo
as her companion" cried Anna, ex-
tremely lovely. flushed and fearful, and
only c-c-came this morning, and Mr..
Captain, who was to be her sec-sec-sec-
rotary. only came this morning. too
and Mrs. Vanderdecken hasn't returned
the written testimonials gave her. and
what shall do without my tes-tes-tes-
timOnials-"
Anna here sank into two very large
down cushions, to sob behind her hand
kerchief.
The detective turned TO Charles. who
had gathered in the details OF Annals
fragmentary talk and taken his cue
and asked:
Now. sir, you had better explain to
me-tor your sake and the young lady's
your exact position in this house"
Really said Mr.. Captain ingenu-
ously. 81 don't know it ! was engaged
by the lady calling herself Mrs VAN
derdecken as secretary, and asked to
arrive this morning"
Finally, Anna said that nothing would
keep her in that disreputable house any
longer, and she didn't care for all the
policemen and detectives in the world,
and If they wanted to ask any more
questions they could come and ask them
at her little fat
At the end OF these things, she de-
clared that some one must see her home
MIR. Captain, or the detective, or a
policeman. she didn't care who. She
certainly should not go home alone.
The lot fell, naturally. on Captain,
who was only too willing, he said. to
do anything in his power to help Miss
Stuart.
After giving the detective their ad-
dresses in case Of need, they departed
with the luggage in a taxicab. leaving
the man from Scotland Yard interview
ing the duped servants. and two police
men still mounting guard over Mr.. Ros-
rown in the dining-room.
Anna sat back in her corner in silence
and looked an extremely scornful young
woman: one might indeed have said that
she was sulking.
Mindful OF the shortness of their drive.
Charles attempted without loss of time
to possess himself of Miss Stuart's hand.
but was repulsed.
Anna the young man entreated
Il want the eggs. replied Anna, turn
ing practical eye upon him coldly.
Mr.. Captain thought hard until they
arrived at EmperOr's Gate. when he re-
Piled:
Yes"
He helped her to alight and kept the
May | come up?
No. replied Anna, Il am tired
IF ! brought you the eggs within
fortnight, said the young man, would
there be any reward
Il cannot think what you mean" 70
piled Anna. instantly placing herself
morally in the ice region.
The young man went red to his fair
hair. and becoming a little hoarse with
Don't be angry. but-you know I love
you
That never makes a woman angry
Anna murmured.
Taking heart. he continued:
Il know perfectly we'll you don't wish
You are absolutely right in your sur
mise. Anna answered,
But won't you Concede something?
Can 1T ! bring you the-the eggs. can
Anna looked at him pcnsiveIy. and
nodded. Her devils crept up. one into
each brown eye: and danced wIckedy
before Charles; The young man. flushed.
and already dreaming Of victory. made
a forward movement at which she at
once FASTENED to the lift. Charles re-
turned to his taNicab. ordered the driver
for home. and drove away. He took out
the two code letters in his possession and
studied them carefully. The eggs" he
said to himself. have. OF course gone
cInged.
The cab drew up. He left it. to send
Cablegram which he wrote with the two
code letters in his left hand.
He returned to his rooms. modest apart
ments over PicCadilly flower shop.
joyed his dinner, and dreamed Of Anna
For a fortnight Miss Stuart then saw
nothing of her fellOw-cOnspiratOr and
slave. But on the morning of the fiF-
beautiful enough for any woman of fash
ion, having breakfast, she was called to
ntr telephone. and ChaTleS voice asked:
May l come round at once
certainly YOU may" cried Anna who
knew that after kicking a man a woman
should always accord a little extra
warmth. III you are quick. you may
join me at breakfast. Shall | order any
thing special for you while you are
coming?"
Il don't think" came his reply. that
you need order anything. l am bringing
eggs myself"
Anna ran to the glass over the mantel-
piece. and thought: Shall l do my hair?
No. Or put on a frock? No. Shall I
receive him just so? Yes"
For she knew-none better-the appeal
that the intimacy of the wrapper and
the undressed hair would make to this
poor young man
So she received Charles just So He
came in. arrOgantly. with a parcel in
his hand.
You cannot, of course" said Anna.
when she had given Charles-putting the
barrier of the table between them-the
tips OF her fingers mean that you have
the Montmorency pearls"
DO | mott" said Mr. Captain and
commenced TO unite the string.
He coiled rows upon rows of pearls
like Milky Way upon the table, and
looked across them at Anna.
'Oh, but il was quite a simple thing
he explained Il merely sent a very foxy
cable in the secret code of the Pins and
Needles and signed 'Vanderdecken' to
the FitzhaIl avenue address where I
guessed the pearls had gone. And 1
sharp, as the New York police had been
communicated with-to V, care Of gen.
eral postoffice. London Then called
for them"