Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-02-25

men. Presently she came languidly across
the room to them.
Dear me-" she said, II had no idea
that even your wide circle Of acquaint-
ances, Mr.. Pritchard, included my friend.
Mr.. Tavernake'
The two men rose to their feet. Tayer-
make felt confused and angry It was
as though he had been playing the traitor
in listening, even for moment, to these
stories.
'Mr Pritchard introduced himself 10
me only few minutes ago." he declared
HE brought me in here and have been
listening to a lot of rubbish from him
of which / don't believe a single word"
She flashed a wonderful smile upon
him.
'Mr. Pritchard is so very censorlous"
she murmured. He takes such a very
low view of human nature. After all
though, l suppose we must not blame
him. 1 think that as men and women
we do not exist to him. We are simply
the pegs by means of which he can climb
little higher in the esteem of his en-
ployers."
Pritchard took up his soft hat and
stick.
Mrs. Gardner" he said, IT will con-
fess that 1 have been wasting my time
severe upon me. You may find, and be-
fore long, that I am your best friend
She laughed delightfully."-.
Dear MIR. Pritchard," she exclaimed
''it is a strange thought. that! If only
dared hope that some day 1t might come
truev
More unlikely things. madam, are
happening every hour" the detective re-
marked. 1.-THE world-our little corner OF
it, at any rate-is full of anomalies. There
might even come a time TO any one OF us
three when liberty was more dangerous
than the prison cell itself"
He nodded carelessly to Tavernake, and
with bow to Elizabeth turned and LETT
the room. Elizabeth remained as though
turned to stone, looking after him as no
descended the stairs.
"The man is a fool!" Tavernake cried
roughly.
Elizabeth shook her head and sighed
''He is something far more ineffective
she said. HE is just little too clever.
Elizabeth did not at once reJoin hei
friends. Instead. she sank on 10 the loe
settee close to where she had been stand
ing, and drew Tavernake down TO hel
side. She waved her hand across at inc
others. who were calling for her
'In a moment. dear people," she salq.
Then she leaned back among the cush'
ions and laughed at her companion'
Tell me, Mr.. Tavernake," she asked,
don't you feel that you have stepps9
into sort of modern Arabian Nightsf
"Why?"
"oh, know Mr.. Prltchard's weaness
she continued. "He loves to throw
glamor around everything he says ~
does. Because he honors me by in.e
esting himself In my concerns, ne ~
probably told you all sorts OF wondertu
things about me and my friends. FeN
ingenious Tomaneer, Mr.. PrltchaFd. "
know. Confess, now, didn't he tell ~
some stories about us2"
She might have spared herself
trouble Of beating about the bush. In'''
was no hesitation about Tavernake.
''He said that your friends were efsn
one OF them criminals" Tayernake :.
cIared, "and he admitted that be
working hard at the present momens
discover that you were one. too
She laughed softly but heartily
Il wonder what WAS his object
remarked. 'in taking you into hls
hdence?'
He happened to know" Tavernaks
plained, that / was intimate via
sister. He wanted me TO ask Beatti'e
certain question" -
Elizabeth laughed no more, She lo9'f
steadfastly into his eyes,
"And that question: M
He wanted me 10 ask BsaIrles
she left you and hid herself IN Lonoe
She tried 10 smile. but not very
eessfully.
According to his story" iatet.-. .'.-
continued. you and Beatrice ana
husband were away together sopaeea-
in the country. Something h@He
there, something which resulted =
Of your husband Hze.
came back alone and has NOT peea M
you since Soon afterHard see
came back alone Mr. Gafdnet AH
been seen Or heard Of
fcoNTINuED IoMohhvf2