Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-02-25
A TALE OF LOVE, MYSTERY AND INTRIGUE

impertinent question" his neighbor re-
marked.
II suppose you can ask it," Tavernake
rejoined. "I am not obliged to answer
am I?''
The man smiled.
Come" he said that's honest, at any
rate. Are you in hurry for few
mnutes?"
II am in no particular hurry" Taver-
make answered. What do you want?'
"a few nights ago." the stranger con-
tinued, lowering his voice little. II met
you with young lady whose appearance.
] for some reason which we needn't go into.
! interested me. Tonight l happened to
overhear you inquiring, only few
minutes ago, for the sister of the same
| young lady"
What you heard doesn't concern me
in the least" Tavernake retorted. II
should say that you had no business to
| listen"
His companion smiled,
WELL" he declared, II have always
heard a good deal about British frank
ness, and it seems to me that I'm getting
! some. Anyway I'll tell you where l come
in. L am interested in Mrs, Wenham
Gardner. l am interested, also, in her
sister, whom l think you know-Miss
Beatrice Franklin, not Miss Tavernake!"
Tavernake made no immediate reply
The man was an American, without a
doubt. Perhaps he knew something Of
Beatrice. Perhaps this was one of the
friends of that former life concerning
which she had told him nothing.
You are not, by any chance, propos-
Ing" Tavernake said at last, ito discuss
either OF these ladies with me? l do not
know you or what your business may be.
In any case, l am going now"
The other laid his hand on Tayernake'S
shoulder.
You'll be soaked to the skin" he pro-
tested IT want you to come into the
smoking-room here with me for a few
minutes. We will have a drink together
and a little conversation, If you don't
mind"
But I do minu," Tavernake declared
IT don't know who you are and don't
want 10 know you, and | am not going to
talk about Mrs. Gardner. or any other
lady OF my acquaintance, with strangers
Goodnight"
zone moment, please Mr., Tavernake."
Tavernake hesitated. There was some
thing curiously compelling In the others
smooth. distinct voice "Td like you TO
take this card" he said II told you my
name before 1 expect you've forgotten 1t
-Pritehard-sam PTitchard. Ever heard
of me before?"
'Never!"
mot TO have heard of me In the United
States" the other continued, with a grim
smile. would be a tribute to your re-
spectibility Most of the crooks who find
their way over here know of Sam
Pritchard. I am a detective and l come
from New York"
Tavernake turned and looked the man
over, There was something convincing
about his tone and appearance Il did
not occur to him 10 doubt for a moment
word OF this strangers story.
You haven't anything against her
against either OF them7" he asked.
Nothing directly" the detective an
swered. "All the same. you have been
calling upon Mrs Wenham Gardner this
evening. and II you are a friend OF hers
j think that you had better come along
with me and have that talk
Il viii come" Tavernake agreed. hut
I come as a listener Remember that
have nothing to tell you. SO far as you
are concerned, do not know either Of
those ladies.
prlfchard smiled.
''Well" he said. Il guess well let Il
90 at that All The same, Il you don't
MIND. ven talk. Come this way and
ven get 70 the enleking-room through
lhe hotel. It's under cover"
fhsF mace thetf HaY % tie doors 81
the holt| Az soon = thrV had entered. /
lafez1aAe epq4e ag4la.