The Washington times., 1916-01-21
CONTINUED from Yesterday,


~ searchers. She jumped up anx-
iously Mrs. Travis was standing
at one of the entrance arches, taking
epiritedlv to a pleasan looking man OF
middle age. The old nurse approached
her with some hesitation. In spitc of
her long years Of service in the family
and her close relationship with June.
Mary had always felt slightly in awe
of Mrs. Travis
She disliked to interrupt the converse
tion. but her anxiety ovcrcame her tim
idity. She touched her mistress lightly
on the arm.
IT beg your pardon. Mrs. Travis" she
said. quietly. but could you tell me
where Miss June is?'
Miss June? Why. don't know, Mary.
But she's well taken care OF. wherever
she is. l think she's with Mr. Lamar.
So don't worry about her."
Mary wandered about looking into
room after room, with no result. She
decided that Lamar. and June were
walking in the grounds. 1t would be
impossible for an old woman with fail
ing sight to ind them out there in the
pale MOONLIGHT. ---
Discouraged and tired out with worry
and the unaccustomed glare and noise.
Mary entered one of the little rooms off
the main corridor. She sank into
some soft. velvety. material. and put her
Her imagination tortured her. The
very thing that sho had feared had
happened. She had come to the ball
for the express purpose Of Watching
over her little girl, She had relaxed
her vigilance for a moment and June
had disappeared-in company with
Lamar. With grin, horrcr Mary cen.
jured up all the terrible things thst
might happen.
Not twenty feet from the room IN
which fatigue had overtaken Mary
was the oriental smoking roont OF the
Hotel 81 rfton. II had been decorated
and furnished by an artist who Snew
over in one cGrner. directly in front
Of a pair OF rortiCrcs woven from raw
Japanese sllk. was n long tenkweod
scat. June and Lamar had been l.
times talking; animatedly. sometimes
"It worries me more than anything
I've had to solve iu years Lamar
was saying. 80 We had the woman in
my very fingers several times ard FL
ways she's succeeded in giving me the
slip! l wish ,hat---''
Just then man in eveiing clothes
appeared III the DOORWAY. Catching
sight of Lamar he l'cckored TO him.
eagerly. With g. murmuTed apology TO
June, the crime specialist got M and
went ever 20 him.
What can 40 Tor you, Sir nc
II am, George, Rsdner. the maneSeT
. of this hotel. Mr.. Lamar! The man
Apoke hurriedlv. rs II distressed. "Sev.
"ral guests have lost articles Of teWelry
is at work among them. Can't YOU do
something about IT, Mr.. Lamar? l hate
to trouble vou but"
"Oh. that's all riSht-that's all r!ght,'
Lamar muttercd indistnctly. HAS
anyone who reported a loss to YOU said
anything about a Red Circle. Mr.. Rad
ENo. don't think so. Nobody has
@ee slightest clue. It's the clevereSt sort
Sf theft I've ever known. There's a
master crook operating here, I'm GER
usee what can do. Mr. Radner
SAst go out and minEle with the guests
as though nothing had occurred VIII
you? I'll be out in a minute"
Lamar came back to the bench and
sat down. his hands clenched tightly
his lower jaw protrudinG in an ugly.
dTaperies behind him moved Slightly as
n in obedience to a gentle breeze. June
put her hand over his. soothinGlv.
''You are terribly worried over this
mystery" she said softly. Let me
help you solve II, won't you? who
knows but that ! may develop into q
regular detec-er-crime specialist"
ANNOYED and worried as he was, La,
mar threw back his head and laughed
II don't see why you're laughing,
nouted June. pretending to he rnightilN
offended. "You imply that I'm an I'm
conseuuential featherbrain. OF course
couldn't hope TO be a second MAJ
lamar gripped her hand. He. had
stopped laughing. His face was set anC
All right. MISS Travis" he sal
EraVely. "I'li appoint you my frst as
sistant on this case. Perhaps you cal
help me-" -.
'I'n do my best" she promised.
Lamar looked his appreciation. HI
admiration of her was growing D
leaps and bounds. 1t was hard 10 kee
from saying things that crowded to hi
lips. He took out his watch and locke
at the dial full half minute before n
really saw the hands 1t was twelve
twenty. People would soon begin leaN
ing. II he hoped TO set single trac
of the Red Circle crook II was time |
be moving. He turned TO June,
viii you let me come to see you tc
morrow morning to tell you few NOR
details OF this case?' he inquired eager
~. I'm so anxious 10 have you know
They say womans intuition "a