Omaha daily bee., 1915-06-27

brilliant and picturesque assembage.
OF course, I recognized Elaine in spite
OF her mack, almost Immediately.
Characteristlcally. she was talking to
the one most striking figure on the
floor. a tall man In red--a veritable
Mephistopheles. As the music started.
Elaine and his satanic majesty laugh
ingly fox-trotted off but were not lost
70 me in the throng.
soon fcund myself talking TO a young
lady in a spotted domino. She seemed
20 have a peculiar fascination for me,
yct she did not monopolize all my at
tention. As VIC trotted past the door,
could sec down the hall. Jennings was
still admitting late arrivals. and caught
glimpse OF one costumed as a gray
friar, his cowl over his head and his
eyes masked.
Chatting. we had circled about to the
conservatory. A number OF couples were
there and. through the palms, I saw
Elaine and Mephisto laughingly make
their way
As my spotted domino partner and I
swung around again, I happened TO
catch another glimpse OF the gray friar.
He was not dancing. but walking, or
rather stalking. about the edge OF the
room. gazing about az II searching for
someone.
In tho conservatory. Elaine and Mehisto
had seated themselves in the breeze Of
an open window, somewhat in the
shadow.
"You are Mis- Dodge" he said earn
estly.
you know me9" she laughed. And
your"
handsome face and fascinating eyes OF
Del Mar.
II hope you don't think I'm here in
character" he laughed easily. as she
started a bit.
"I-I-wcll. didn't think 1T was YOU"
sho bluntod out.
"Ah-then there is someone else you
care more to dance WITH"
Mono one-no"
| 81 may hope. II en?"
He lao moved closer and almost
touched her hand The pointed hood OF
the gray frisr in the palms showed that
at last he saw what he sought.
~No--no. Plcase--oxouse me-" she
murmured rising and hurrying back 20
the bali rom.
A subtle smile spread over the gray
friar's masked face.
OF course, had known Elaine Whether
she knew me at once I don't know or
| whether IL was an accident. but she Rp-
preached me az I paused In the dance a
moment with my domino girl.
From the sublime-to the ridiculous. A"
she cried excltedly.
My partner gave her sharp glance.
you will excuse me2' she said. and. as
1 bowed. almost ran off to the con
sorvatory. leaving Elaine to dance off
with me.
Del Mar. quite surprised at the sudden
flight OF Elaine from his side followed
moro slowly through the palms.
As he did so he passed a Mexican at
tired in brilliant native costume. At a
sign from Del Mar no paused and re-
ceived a small package which Del Mar
slipped TO him. then passed on as though
nothing had happened. The keen eyes
OF the gray friar. however. had caught
the little action and he quietly slipped
out after the Mexican bolero
just then the domino girl hurried into
the conservatory. What's donng?" she
asked eagerly.
Keep close TO me-" whispered Del
Mar. as she nodded and they left the CON
servatory not apparently together.
Upstairs. away from the gayety Of the
bali room. the bolero made his way
until he came 70 Elaine's room, dlmly
lighted. With quick glance about. he
entered cautiously. closed the door, and
approached closet which he opened,
There was a safe built into the wall.
As he stopped over. the man unWrap-
ped the package Del Mar had handed him
Z and took out a curious little instrument
inside was a dry battery and a most
| peculiar instrument. something like q
little fiat telephone transmitter. ye,
attached by wires 70 ear pieces thai
, fitted over the head after the manner OF
/ those OF n wireless deteotor
He adjusted the headplece and held
the flat instrument against the safe
! close TO the combination which he begaI
, 90 turn slowly. II was a burglars micro,
r phone. used for picking combination
locks AZ the combination turned.
4 slight sound was made when the prope
!. number came opposite the working point
2 Impereeptitly ordinarily to even the mos
sensitive ear 20 an ear trained It wa
|. comparatively easy 20 recognize the fal
0 OF the tumblers over this microphone.
. As he worked. the door behind hin
opened softly and the gray friar entered
a closing Il and moving noiselessly owe
r back OF the shelter OF a big mahogan,
r highboy. around which he could watch
AZ last the safe was opened. Rapidly
I the man went through its contents
n "confound IT." he muttsred. "she didn'
I put Il here--anyhow."
q The bolsrO started to close the saf
when he heard noise IN the room an
/ looked ouriously back OF him. Del Ma
Il himself. followed by the domino girl. en-
N tered
" I've opened a." whispered the emit
" sary stepping out OF the closet and meei
" Ing them. but I can't find the"
Il Hands up-an Of YOU"
L They turned In time 10 see the sra
friars sun yawning az them. Mo-
u politely h lined them up. suil holdir