Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-04-26

without troubling TO verify them, FeiEed
| tickets and change and turned squarely
| TO her.
Now that's settled" he inquired ami
ably, what next?"
The better to cover her lack Of ready
answer, she made believe to consult the
mellow orb of the four-faced clock that
rises above tho bureau OF information.
THE Owl train leaves when7" she
asked with finely speculative air.
"one o'clock"
Then we've got over an hour and a
half TO wait!"
How about a bite of support The
station restaurant Is just down stairs
THANK you," she agreed with severe
little nod.
Lugging his bag he led the way with
the air of one receiving rather than con-
ferring n favor.
"curious how things fall out" he OBJ
served oheerfully, isn't lt?''
Yes"
"I mean your popping up like this just
when l was thinking of you Coincl-
dence, you know"
"Coincidences," Sally informed him
consciously, ARE caviar only to book
critics. There's nothing more common
In real life"
He suffered this instruction with a mild
ly anguished smile.
That's true. presume, II one knows
anything about real life. don't go In
for realistic novels, you see, 80 can't
say. But you're right one way: It isn't
anything extraordinary, come to con-
slider IL, that you and I, both headed for
Boston, should run into each other here.
BY the way he added with casual
air, speaking of condolences, It sort of
triple plated this one to have your friend
from central office hanging round so
handy, didn't it7 If he's In sight, why
not be a sport and tip me OFF,"
81 don't see the necessity" Sally re-
turned, biting her lip, yet"
Not from your point of view, perhaps
from mine, yes. Forewarned Is fortu-
nate you know"
II dare say"
you won't put me wiser"
Certainly not"
"Well, of course, one can guess why"
Can one?'
why, forgive me for calling your
bluff, It wouldn't be safe. would It? or
course, I'm sure-enough bad man-and
all that. But you must be q bird OF my
feather, or you wouldn't flock together
30 unceremoniously."
Sally opened her eyes wide and adopted
n wondering drawl known to have been
of great service to Miss Lucy Spode.
"Why, whatever do you mean?"
"Good!' Blue Serge applauded. Now
l know where I stand. That baby stare
Is the high sign of our fraternity-of
blackbirds. Only the guilty ever succeed
in looking as transparently innocent. Too
bad you didn't think of that in time"
"I don't follow you," she said truth
fully, beginning to feel that she wasn't
figuring to great advantage in this pas
sage of repartee.
II mean, your Give-away Is calculated
to cramp your style; now you can't very
we'll cramp mine, threatening to squeal."
"Oh. can't I?'
mo. know you won't go through
with It; not that is. unless you're will
ing to face Sing Sing yourself. For
that matter, don't see how you're going
to make Boston at all tonight, after that
break, unless you go on your own. I
don't believe I'm scared enough to stand
for being shaken down for your trans
portation."
He was gaining the whip hand much
too easily. She averted her face to mask
growing trepidation and muttered
sullenly, What makes you think I'm
afraid
"Oh, comet" he chuckled. 'I know
you hadn't any lawful business in that
house, don't II"
How do you know IT."
Because If you had I would now be
going peacefully with the kind policeman
instead of being a willing victim of a
very pleasant form of blackmail."
CONTINUED TOMORROW