The Spectator., 1915-01-01
CHAPTER xlll-Continued.


 took 1t and read the postmark and the signature. It was Hills and came from Jersey City! At last the scent was getting warm. What good for tune! But he must not seem too anxious, or she might grow reticent Diplomacy, diplomacy!
 You are treated better than I am!" he complained whimsically. q haven't even had card. But then, you are . lady, which makes all the difference An! woman, lovely woman! How you fascinate and abuse us!"
 She giggled self-consciously.
 "So this is the latest news of Hill" said Pedro. T suppose you write to each other frequently?"
 Well mol" said she. You see, I'm engaged. I told MT. Sam it was use less, but he's so persistent"
 She giggled again.
 Poor Sam!" said Pedro. You are very cruel!"
 Do you happen to know his Jersey address?" she asked, thereby giving Pedro the information he wanted, to wit: that she was unaware of Hills present whereabouts.
 "Oh! he was only there for day!" said Pedro. putting the coin which she indicated out of his handful, upon the counter. He might drop in here any time. If he does, tell him Pedro was asking for him, will you? And now good-by; must be off"
 As Pedro Joined his waiting com panion outside he was met with a string of reproaches.
 Never before have seen you tarry so long with a woman, oh waster of precious moments!" said Beau-Jean. How shall 1t benefit thee?"
 Tt has already done sol" declared Pedro. Come. hasten with me. We are going to Jersey City. shall ex- plain on the way"
 So off they went to the ferry. Mir. Jones, the inadvertent detective, shuf- fling after.
 To discover where the picture post card had been purchased would have been almost impossible; but to locate the district in which 1t had been mailed was easy enough. and that, combined with the hour which had been stamped upon it, was sufficient ,, evidence to show that Sam had been near the waterfront at some time be- tween eight and ten o'clock on the evening of the previous Monday. Con- sequently. the next problem that con fronted them was what Hill had done after dropping this exquisite chromo into district "X" pillarbox? Pedro at once tried to picture his own prob able actions were he to find himself in such district at such an hour. with, presumably, no company but MT Jones! An! of course! the cabarets the saloons of the dance! That seemed the obvious answer. but he consulted with Beau-Jean, to be cer- tain. Yes, Beau-Jean would make straight for the cafes. and Hill had probably done the same.
 Thus 1t came about that the shades of evening found them lettering from one low-browed ramshackle dive to another. ever inquiring for Hill. of whom they found no further sign. Finally, when nine o'clock had come. and still nothing had been discovered, Beau-Jean suggested that they post pone their effort until the following day, and rest their weary brains and bodies for while. But Pedro would haya mona of fbaca cnCpactinpc
 But I am hungry!" protested the giant. Here 1t is, of an hour, and we have eaten nothing since noon. More over, the bear Is famished. Presently he will begin to growl."
 Well" admitted Pedro reluctantly, T am hungry myself. Let us go and eat and smoke. Afterward, we shall feel more inclined to search. Where shall we go?"
 T think there is lunch-wagon down by the dock" said Beau.Jean, ''let us make an examination"
 "All right" Pedro assented, and they set off at brisk pace, in the direction of the lights.
 Sure enough. there was lunch wagon backed up against the ferry. house, and as they approached. it took on an increasingly familiar air. Pe- dro's interest was now quickened by more than the thought of food. Where had he seen that gaudy decoration be- fore? Holy saints! it was his own! At the same instant Beau-Jean recognized the movable hostelry of MT. Isaac Lovejoy. with whoop of glee. and they Quickened their pace to run. The worthy proprietor was occu- pied in serving a pair of customers car conductors. or forrymen. they ap- peared to be-but when he caught sight of Pedro he dropped the slice of puw pkin pie that he was in the act of transferring from platter to plate. and. entirely disregarding this small mishap. he stretched out both hands Co the boy. broad smile of welcome