The Washington herald., 1916-09-24

Il can't go up there with you,"
said Harold. I've some work down.
town that have to attend to be-
fore 1 go home. But IL you insist on
such a foolish thing, I'll meet you
at her apartment in about half an
hour, though don't like the idea
or doing 1t. It's useless. And she
will hate me for warning you against
her. Good-by, old chap"
In an incredibly short time after
ward, Pierre La Rue was calling up
Nanya's apartment and issuing curt
directions.
I've sent word to Tanner" he said,
Ito let Florence Montrose get a
glimpse Of him, on her way uptown,
and to let her keep him in sight till
he goes into your apartment-house
See that the hallboy is out on some
errand for you. I'll be there within
ten minutes too, as we planned. So.
phone Lambert to come, on any pre-
text you like. He's ripe, and this is our
time. Tell him you're in financial
trouble and ask him to bring along
all the money-in cash, not check
he can lay his hands on at such short
notice. And the necklace he promised
you. Be sure to get him. I'll leave
the details OF the trap to you"
Youre-you're surely not going to
to do IT here? Not here at my
apartment" faltered Vanya Think
of the danger, and"
THE danger will be nothing at ALL"
interrupted La Rue. I'm not going
to use the finger necklace. He is go
ing to be killed by some one else
some other way"
Florence Montrose drove slowly
uptown in her little roadster. From
side to side, in such moments as she
did not need all her attention for the
guiding of her car, her dark eyes
roved, searching the faces of pedes-
trians and other car occupants. The
thought that she alone could be Of
service to the man she cared for in
this campaign he was so fierCely wag-
ing reJoiced her. And she resolved to
spend hours every day in the search.
Far uptown, where street and side
walk traffic had begun to grow much
thinner, her gaze fell upon a man
who was strolling toward her on the
left side of the street.
At once, Florence recognized the
man who had confronted her in the
Lent house. She stared more closely
at him. There could be no mistake.
Apparently he did not see her, for
he walked straight on, with no eff
fort at concealment Florence let
him walk past her. Then she turned
the roadster and slowly followed him.
Then Tanner turned in at a side
street and stopped in front of an
apartment house. He looked furtfvely
to left and right, as though fearful
he might be seen entering; then.
cautiously, he slipped into the build
ing.
Florence left her car at the curb. a
half-block below, and went on to the
apartment house on foot. She glanced
into the front hall. It seemed de-
serted. Thinking she might learn
from the hallboy into which apart
ment the man had gone, she stepped
into the ill-lighted hall.
instantly, a coat was thrown over
her head from behind, binding her
and mufling her cries. Her arms
were swathed and helpless in the gar
ment's heavy folds. She felt herself
picked up and carried rapidly for
ward.
Into Vanya Rosca's apartment ran
Tanner, with his struggling burden.
"There!" he painted, breathless with
exerticn, That's done"
rs She? Did you? questioned
Vanya
NO" said Tanner. She's alive. I'm
leaving her there till Pierre comes.
He told me to-
He'll be here any minute. "Vanya
replied, nervously, And so will Trux
ton Lambert. Better get ont of the
way wish to heaven I could! This
pretty fiat Of mine will be a sham
bles," she added, with an uncontrol
liable shudder.
Lambert? You mean the Diamond
King chap that La Rue has been
having you dazzle SOS we could get
him where we want him? He's going
TO finish him here? If a mans found
in your fiat with the finger-neckIace
marks on his throat"
He won't be. The blame will be
shifted. I don't know just now. It's
all horrible. And Harold Stanley's
coming here, too"
''H'm!" commented Tanner. Even
as sharp a guy as Pierre win have his
hands full with an afternoons pro-
gram like that. But think of the
cleverness of him, Lambert, Stanley,
Florence Montrose-aH three in one
smash. And without the finger neck
lace! Well, let Pierre play a lone
hand on it. It's too big job for me
to butt in on without orders. I'm
glad to be out of it,"
She led the way down the fats long
hall toward the kitchen. Robert
Clayton at the same moment arrived
at the apartments front door. Vanya