Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-08-15

the note and hurried over to the st. Ger
main.
He crossed the lobby. back to the Of
flee. AS he did so the naturalist rad
his face hidden deeply in the open news
paper. But no sooner had Del Mar passed
than the newspaper fell unappreciated.
and he gazed after him. as he left the
lobby by the back way.
1t was only q few minutes after she
had completed arranging her small stock
so that 1t looked quite impressive, that
Madame Larenz heard knock at the
door and recognized Del Mars secret
CODE She opened the door and he
strobe in.
IT got your note" he said, briefly, COM
ing directly to business and telling her
Just what he wanted done. Let me see,"
he concluded. glancing at his watch 1T
is after now. She ought to be here any
minute"
Outside, Elaine drove up to the rather
garish entrance OF the st. German, and
one of the boys in uniform ran forward
to open the door and take charge OF the
car. She, too. crossed the lobby without
seeing the old naturalist, though nothing
escaped him.
As she passed he started to rise and
cross toward her, then appeared to change
his mind.
Elaine went on out through the back OF
the lobby, directed by a boy, and
mounted a flight OF stairs in preference
to taking the lift to the second, or sort
| of mezzanine floor. Down along the
corridor she went. hunting for number
twenty-five. At last she found 1t at the
end and knocked.
! Del Mar and Madame Larenz were
still talking in low tones when they heard
a light tap on the door.
There she is now" whispered Larenz.
IAN right; let her in" answered Del
Mar. leaping quietly to a closet. TN
hide here until I get the signal. Do just
as told you"
Outside, at the same time. according
to his carefully concocted plans. Del
Mars car had driven up and stopped
close to the side OF the hotel. which was
on a slight hill that brought the street
level here not far below the second-story
windows. Three OF his most trusted men
were In the car.
Madame Larenz opened the door. "oh,
I'm so glad you came" she ratified on Ia
Elaine. you see, I've got to get started
Not a customer yet. But II youT only
take a few gowns other people will come
to me. "I'll let you have them cheaply
too. Just look at this one"
She held up one filmy, creamy creation
that looked like a delicate flower.
I'D like to try It on" cried Elaine, fin
gering II rapturously.
by all meansl" agreed Madame I'VE
are alone. Do So"
With deft fingers, Larenz helped her
take off her own very pretty dress. AS
Elaine slipped the soft gown over her
head, with her head and arms engaged
In its multitudinous folds, Madame La
renz, powerful woman. seized her.
Elaine was effectually gagged and bound
in the gown itself
Instantly Del Mar flung himself from
the closet. disguising his voice Together
they wrapped the dress about Elaine even
more tightly TO prevent her screaming.
Madame Larenz seized a blanket and
threw that over Elaine's head also. while
Del Mar ran 70 the window. There were
his men in the car. waiting below.
Are you readyT" he called softly 70
them.
They looked about carefully. There wa
no one on that side Of the hota Just at
the moment.
Ready" responded one. "Quickl"
Together Del Mar and Madame Larenz
passed Elaine. Intellectually struggling,
Que Of the window. The men seized her
and placed her In the bottom OF the car,
whach was covered. Then they shot
away. taking a back road up the hill.
Hurriediy the naturalist went through
the lobby I'm the direction Elaine had
gone. and moment later reached the
corridor above.
Down II, he could hear some one com
ing out OF room p. He slid into an angle
and hid.
Il was Del Mar and the woman he had