Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-08-15
tho woman handed her q card from her
delicate gold mesh bag. 1t read simply;
NINE. LARENz
PARIS

while the woman repeated what she had
already told Aunt Josephine.
You have them here, them" queried
Elaine, interested.
Yes. 1 have some very exclusive
models which am showing at my suite
in the st. Germain."
"oh. how lovelyl' exclaimed Elaine.
i must see them"
They talked few minutes while I
waited patiently for Elaine to start the
game again. That game. however. was
destined never TO be finished. More
welghty matters were under discussion.
wondered what they were talking
about and. suppressing a yawn, 1 walked
toward them. AS approached heard
scattered remarks about styles and dress
fabrics.
Elaine had completely forgotten tennis
and me. She took a couple Of steps
away from the court with the woman
as 1 came up.
Aren't you going to play?" l asked.
Il know you'll excuse me. Walter. :"
smiled Elaine. My frocks are SO fright
fully out of date. And here's D. chance
to get new ones, very reasonably too"
They walked off, and could not help
scowling at the visitor. On toward the
house Elaine and Madame Larenz pro-
ceeded, and around 1t to the front porch,
where Aunt Josephine was standing.
Just think. Auntie," cried Elaine, real
Paris gowns down here without the
trouble Of going to the city-and cheaply,
too"
Aunt Josephine was only mildly inter
ested, but that did not seem to worry
Madame Larenz.
II shall be glad to see you at 8, Miss
Dodge" she said, as she got into her car
again and drove off.
BY that time 1 had caught up with
Elaine again. Just one game" l urged.
please excuse me--this time, Walter
she pleaded. laughing. You don't know
how sadly I'm in need of new frocks"
II was no use of further urging her,
Tennis was out of her mind for good that
day. Accordingly mounted to my room
and there quickly donned my riding
clothes.
When I came down / found Aunt Jo-
sephine still on the veranda. In addi-
ton to my horse, which had telephoned
for. Elaine's little runabout had been
driven to the door. While was talking
to Aunt Josephine, Elaine came down.
stairs and walked over to the car.
May I go with your pleaded.
''No, Walter" she replied, laughing
merrily. You can't go. I want to try
them on"
Properly squelched, 1 retreated. Elaine
drove away. and moment later ]
mounted and cantered off leisurely.
Near Del Mars bungalow might have
been seen again the mysterious natural
| list, walking along the road with a but
terfly net in his hand. and what ap-
peared to be a leather specimen case
perhaps six inches long, under his other
arm.
AS Madame Larenz whizzed past In hei
car he looked up keenly. in spite OF his
seeming near-sightedness and huge
smoked glasses. He watched her closely
noting the number OF the car, then turned
and followed it.
Madame Larenz drew up, a second time
before Del Mars. As she got out and
entered. the naturalist. having quickened
his pace. came up and watched her &C
in. Then, after taking in the situation
for a moment, he made his way around
the side of the bungalow.
us Mr.. Del Mar at homer inquired
Madame Larenz. as the valet ushered hel
into the library.
mo. ms'am," he returned. 'Mr. De
Mar is out. But he left word that IL YOU
came before he came back you were e
leave word"
The woman sat down at the desk and
wrote hastily. When she had finished
/ the abort h. "a -
1t up.
Tell Mr.. Del Mar I've left a note here
on his desk" she said 70 the valet.
A moment later she left the library
followed by the valet, who accompanied
her to her car and assisted her IN
The hotel" she directed to her driver
as he started off. while the valet re
turned to the bungalow.
/ Outside the naturalist had com,
through the shrubbery and had beer
looking in at the library window, watch
ing every move of Madame I<arenz as sh,
wrote. AS she went out he paused jus
a second to look about. Then he drew I
long knife from his pocket, forced tn,
window catch and quickly climbed int
the room.
| ~ tue ucSh ne went ana lur-
riedly ran over the papers on It. Their,
was the note. He picked it up ana reaa
II eagerly.
my apartment-st. Germans D. m
Larenz."
For moment he seemed to conside
what 70 do. Then he replaced the note
Suddenly he heard the sound Of foot
steps. 1t was the valet returning
Quickly the naturalist ran 70 the window
and jumped out.
A moment later the valet entered IN,
library again. That's strange" he ex
claimed, under his breath. Il don't recall
opening that window over there today. ,
He looked puzzled. But as no one wal
about he went over and shut It.
Some distance down the road the nat
uIalist quietly emerged in safety from
the bushes. With scarcely a moment'l
hesitation. his mind thoroughly made NJ
10 his course. ne hurried along the road
Meanwhile, at the ST. German. Msdams