The Washington herald., 1915-08-29

! that OF covering their identity and at the
same Time Casting suspicion in 4 quar-
Ter where 1t will be most likely to lead
quite away from themselves. That nos
sibly, is the case in the present instance
And to return to my first question. Uh,
did have the entree TO Miss vultee's
house yesterday"
Il for one"'
And I for another" supplemented
Mr.. Collingwood
Exactly. But it will be sheer insan
lty TO suggest that you, captain. would
De likely to take any steps toward de-
pleting the exchequer Of the lady you are
to marry. even if your affections were
not concerned in the task Of shielding
her In every way. II would be no less
insane to suppose that Mr.. Collinzwood
mere would dream for a moment of driv-
ing to insanity. the lady whose popular
ity Is fast making his fortune. and it
would be maddest of all to infer that her
brother would set about blowing him
self up with a bomb. would it not?
Whom then does that leave outside of
Miss Vultee herself and Mile. Marco
line here? And are We to suppose that
Miss Nultee would try to filch herself
Of her own money? And are we to credit
for moment that Marceline would try
to destroy young Alexis with a bomb
when she knew that he was not in the
house and would not be that night at
all? The mere suggestion is absurdity.''
Then in the name Of reason, who did
put the bomb there"
"Ah. that's where I'm going to sur
prise you-or at least. my boy Dollops
is: for I've put the young besgar on the
job, and he's not only found a clue to
the individual in question. but he has
promised that he will have the rascal
walk into the prettiest little trap in the
world at a quarter to ten o'clock to
night, If Miss Vultee will assist us in
spreading the snare"
Il. monsieur? Dear heaven. what can
do?'
Merely remain passive until, say. a
quarter to 9 o'clock. That. believe. will
be something like half an hour before
you are to do your famous dance, will it
not?'
Yes. monsieur-exactiy a quarter past
is the time for that
Just SO. And You will of course be
all dressed and ready. Very well then.
at a quarter to 9 come to the little door
occupying at the matinee. You will find
US there again and awaiting you. Mr.
Collingwood will have the thousano
pounds advanced yesterday with him
You will knock at that door and he Will
open it and pass the money out to you
You will keep il on your person there
after and at exactly 10 oclock-mind. not
second earlier or We shall not be on
nd yn nf
proceedings-at exactly 10 o'clock you will
go out by the stage door into the dark
passage behind the theater holding that
money in your hand and before you have
taken ten steps the man We are after
viii be there and We three will be on
him like a shot and all your troubles
will be over for good and all. You will
do that. will you not?"
Monsieur, yes-I promise you that |
will
Thanks very much. That's all for the
present. Gentlemen. my best respects. /
will meet you all in the box at half-past
S. Until then, good afternoon,
And here, spectacular as usual at such
times as these, he swept them a theatri,
cal bow and-left them.
At half past eight he had said he
would meet them in the prescenium
box-and at half past eight he was
tions of those who were there await
ing him. he did not come in alone: for
after him walked two detectives
brave in evening clothes-.and after
any cat and unobtrusive as shadow;
Little door open. Mr.. Collingwood:
Thanks very much. Nip in with you.
Dollops; and get out of sight until is
door on the right after yoU
pass that big bunch-light up there
Look sharp Cut along
1t had no more than reached the
point of the quarter hour
when. there came a gentle tapping
sound on the\ stage side of the little
waiting for the coming of that signal
saw a startling thing happen. For
Cleek was up and at that door with
one of his quick. soundless cat leaps;
there in the light beyond stood. the
figure of the Russian dancer-bare.
armed. auburn-tressed, thing of
fre spangles. with one shaking hand
for the promised thousand
pounds.
looked at that figure and at that hand
in utter silence: then of a sudden:
Come. come, but there's DEVILS
design of an arm to expect a man to
raped out. but was suffered to say no
more: for just there and then the fg-
ure before him wheeled about and
came Cameo the o VOICE % Of % poiiops pses sereamins e h
down from the back Of the stage.
,Yus. guvnor-my Lud.. yuss! They
done it! She's here-and SOS the 9TH
s5 r. one S,ia,,sr And nov nov ere e comes; too
heavens sake, cawn't manage the
pair of 'em in a bally little pill box
like this. Nip in. Yard-nip in-do yer
hear"
The Yard did and it answered the
for all that were within earshot OF
the cry few in the direction Of il like
SO many boiling hares. And when.
an instant later. all these came pound
there in a huddled heap on the floor
1rugsed into unconsciousness. poor
La Sylphines self and
hard by was Dollops, with one hand
gripping the collar Of screaming.
" woman and the other trying to retain
its clutch on a shape that wore the
and the wig of the nymph of
vesuvius. yet screamed and fought
and howled with the voice and hands
Look to her first. captain-to her
cried out Cleek. waving his hand toward
the huddled figure on the floor. as Ken
nedy and Collingwood came pounding In
At his heels. Look to her. and, leave
the bloodless little
brute that preyed upon his own sister
and sold her for the sake Of the flesh
pots and the smiles Of a wretched little
,ocotte with the sign Of Montmarte as
thick as paint upon her. / rather thought
pounds and the chance to make a safe
getaway: for they could see how the
clews were beginning to point. and that
sooner or later they'd be landed high
and dry. And all the while that poor
creature there loving and trusting the
.,,1 A.- 80 la. A@xH ~