Evening journal., 1916-02-12
Pictures by
E%& &NlYNxMA

caught shale's wrist in viseliks
grip.
"You know the window" he snapped.
Don't make monkey OF yourself and
get in any other. And remember this
III send you up, by heaven, II you
interfere-unlcss you're needed. You
watch for that sneak Langdon-thats
your job. Do you get me?-
i got you the first time" answered
Shale coolly, though his mouth was
ugly. Since when do you have to put
me wise twice?"
Pollock moved uneasily and drew one
hand across his forehead. I'm not
taking any chances" he muttered,
and lighting a cigar settled back in
the corner Of the luxurious motor.
Neither Of them spoke or moved till
the car drew up in front Of the big
hotel.
The moment It stopped Shale slipped
out and hurried down the street, but
Pollock pushing his way through the
gaily clad throng that filed the lobby
at this after-theatre hour went direct
TO the elevator. his fingers closed
tightly around that key in his pocket.
once in the suite engaged for him by
Shale he threw off his coat and hat.
and ordering a whiskey-and soda,
drank it almost at a draught. Then
he began a restless pacing up and
down the floor. trying TO estimate Just
how long it would be before the ban
quet party would reach the private
| dining room.
At last after what seemed 70 him
hours Of waiting he saw group Of the
! players arrive and a few moments
later the other members Of the supper
party passed his door, There remained
only Mary and Daniels still to come.
Trembling with excitement. he poured
himself another drink Of whiskey, gava
swift glance out Of the window to
where Shale hovered on the fire.
escape, then took up his post close
to the door. Almost Immediately he
heard the hum Of the elevator and
then Mary's voice.
"Oh, come on, Phil" she was saying,
II shant stay very long, anyway"
by all means come along" echoed
Daniels with assumed cordiality.
You'll be a welcome guest"
Pollock could see them now. Tor they
had passed his hiding place, and he
gave sigh Of relief as Langdon said:
NO. thanks-I won't come in. It's
supper for you, Mary. and for your
company-and I feel a little out OF
place. Don't get too tired. though
and I'll call up Tomorrow"
And Langdon came slowly down the
corridor which echoed now TO the
sound Of the tumultuous welcome to
Mary-"The New Start" He made his
way down 10 the lobby and settled
himself In a chair from whore he could
look up at the door OF the banquet
room.
Walters were hurrying in and out,
and Langdon could catch gimpses Of
the gay table with Mary, flushed and
excited, at one end. and could hear the
laughter and the little bursts OF ap-
plause? once when a hurrying waiter
left the door wide he saw Mary on her
feet protesting against the urgent
hands that were thrusting a glass OF
champagne upon her.
With an exclamation OF anger Lang
don leaped to his feet, then sank back
again. He couldn't interference now,
at any rate. He could. however guess
that they we're urging her to drink a
toast to the play, and he hoped that
that meant that Mary was soon to
leave. While he was impatiently
hoping that this was true, a bell boy,
WIN a NlVlntnL OF lMO UElOIe ndu gone
into the banquet room, came out fol-
lowed by Mary herself.
With a throb Of glad relief Langdon
jumped up and hurried up the shallow
stairs to the corridor TO meet him, but
to his surprise she was not in sight,
- and only the bellboy was coming
. lelsurely along the hall It seemed
curious that Mary could disappear so
| suddenly
Where did the young lady go?" he
y demanded harshly. and at the tone the
$ startled boy cringed as il expecting a
: blow.
"Wots that 20 you?" he retorted i'm
v pertinently. "She's gone where she was
2 expected, that's where she's gone"
well, wherever it is take me there
quick" snapped Langdon. IF you
: want authority for 1t go downstairs
: : and tell Barney that Mr.. Philip Lang
don wants you to take him there"
At the name the boy gave a quick.
choked cry. and with muffled Il
: thought it wasn't any funny joke" led
y the way rapidly back down the COR
Il ridor.
o Almost simultaneously the door OF
the banquet room opened and Daniels
n face. strained and uneasy. peered into
(, the hall. Seeing Langdon. he hurried
e towards him and was but a few feet
IT away when the boy paused abruptly
{. and pointed to the door of Pollock's
Y suite.
d shes in there" he muttered. and
scuttled off. But not far, for even as
d Langdons hand was on the knob. there
n came q woman's scream and the loud
report OF a revolver echoing high above
% the clamorous gaiety OF voices and or
. chestra. There was an instants terri
~ fed silence, and then the waves OF hu-
a manity came surging down the corri-
= dor, headed by the hotel authorities
= But Langdon and Daniels were already
=. across the threshold of the room where
= lay the dead body OF David Pollock ana
!, beside it the unconscious form of Mary
= Page with a revolver lying not FIVE
'e inches from her limp hngertips.
A thin dribble Of blood was running
e. across the carpet towards her and
a Langdon snatched her up out OF a.
k way with a sudden horror. and bis
y, great fear found voice in a desperat.
Z cry:
;; Mary Mary, did you do this?"
Z lt was not Mary who answered hut
the hotel detective who said sternI,.
m "Not did she do this. but WHY ala
* she do this. Mr.. Langdon." he corrected
le (ro be continued)