The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-07-30

a moment they stood. dumb with
III iamAzement staring after the curtajned motor.
{ from the recesses OF which the curious appeal
81 hnd emanated. Then simultaneously they wh'red'
u md faced each other, asking mHtc3y The same
NJ question.
"You heard it. too7 A woman's voice! Are we
4 Awake. or dreaminE2"
In answer Mary Burnett caught her com
panion's arm, and hurried her towards tall
& serious faced young unu.
q .Mr Carson she cried, You just in
& e1rne! Where /. yoar car. = woman i in trouble
3 n that taxi"
sAI Casper Carson, the young millionaire social
yorker and reformer, was man accustomed t.
think and act quickly. without another word, he
Eprang across the Salk md threw open the door
Of dark blue uItto-date touring car As Mary
and Mona jumped into the machine, he threw
In tie clutch For blocks they chased the taxi
until it mysteroosly and TO the disgust Of the
trio disc ppeared down a side street.
II took down the license number anyway"
said Mary
Later The girls saw the same taxf-cab stand
ING in front Of Madame Sutro'= beauty parlurs
and while they watched It, Daniel satern the
political boss If the upper Tenderioin came out.
Then the girls remembered that Carson had
openly charged that these beauty parors, under
political protection, often used for gambling
dens' and other purposes. The girls informed Car
son of their discovery In the discussion that fol
81 have an idea-which will get us not only
94he information If the tax-cab and IT'S ocea-
pants, but which ought to give you just the evi-
dence you want about Madame autro ana ala-
bern !" She then unfolded the plan. what do
Il goa Think of tt?" she asked.
49, Carson and Mary agreed and appointment
was made for him 10 meet Mona the next evening
u 1T the Metropolitan Cafe~-an establishment fire.
zuuented by actresses, chorus girls and men about
- Mary was 70 remain in the background for
che present but there every indication that
when she was needed in the little drama of
Mona's planning her role would be no small one.
There was "a definite reason behind the dinner
appointment of Mona and Carson. The Metro
poIitan Cafe of the establishments most
patroni1ed rs Slatern, and whore his appearance
.was the signal for every unoccuped waiter in
as.e house to quicken into activity. Carson led
4 tse way through the glarnRly lighted doorway,
4 With a mental register OF protest at the char
<cte: Of his surroundings, but Mona concealed
i Fer feelings cleverly, and none of the diners
would have suspected from her attitude Of
affected enjoyment that she was counting the
rnoynents before their task would be done, and
lhey woul. be free to depart. The two found a
s~ole In as retired position possible, and
froys which both could cou1fn@nd a view OF the
deer. siatern had not vet appeared, and Mona
was beginning TO worry for fear that he might
sary Ms routine of habit This occasion when
u tbe political ooss saunterrd in, escurtiug very
blonde, oyerly-dressed young woman, who showed
Hbsious pride in her conquest
Elntern and his companion ushered to q
table In a prominent position, and Mona and Car
son delayed their menu that they could retain
tarir chairs without aronsing suspicion. II was
sccyving glance M the young millionaire the
b Political boss whispered to his companion, and
also directed her attention to the other table.
Mona and Carson, however. continued their meal
o. though unconscious Of the scrutiny. When
N Elatern and his companion finally left the cafe,
Y Mona and Carson inst behind them
The two couples reached the walk al almost
Il The same moment, As the door closed. Mona broke
A away from Carson's arm, and raised her voice
\ Angrily.
II am done with YOU FOR good :"
Carson took step toward her, and tried to
regain hold OF her arm But she shook him on.
"You tiQht-wad. disgusting tight
q wad." She that her voice had reached the
81 ears Of Slatern. and that the other looking
Y over his shoulder curimslv. Il don't want any
I .nnore of your promises! am through-from this
M6aoment,'
With head high, and eyes flashing she
CROSSED 10 an empty faNj-cah. and jumped in,
s having Carson staring after her, Satern nudged
lid companion with chncklc, and then, each-
II ma down quickly, picked up Il small lace hand
abErchief from the walk, which Mona had dropped
z&4Fom her bag. Nit. the handkerchief
a Ausiness card. OH fh~ beck Of which was a hastily
n <eribbled line Of writing Satern held it 10 the
HaNlTht and read 1T is imperative tor me 10 have
Nour report OF Sutro's place at once. Please rush
SMABT On the reverse side Of the card the en-
ENxaved name, Casper Carson" Siaterus eyes
%Kieaped with sudden satisfaction. He thought he
N Had made a discovery.
sssxss Late the next afternoon Mona emerged from
NTH 4axi-cab before Madame Sutros establishment,
q sascendcd the steps, and was ushered by ths
E4S1iseried eciored attendant at the door into
n hanGsomoly appointed waitng-room. In mo-
aKGnent or t~o Madame Sutro appeared.
SMN "Aon wish me?'
BIZ Mona nodded. Il wish TO you very much
51nriSnteIy
Madame sutro raised her eyebrows. Il am
S6ery busy
n fancy that my errand IS wen worth your
IIEDe and attention. ioiued Mona codIy. How
~3er---' She started 70 walk indifYerently toward
~ door, but the other caught her arm.
~Step this way, please she conceded grudg
1iy. Mona followed her contuctress through the
ftieres. and down narrow corridor giving into
6ngies of thinly -partf Toned booths in which she
nght glimpse Of women customers in various
- OF "beautifyinR." Al the end Of the cor
6S, the Madame opened door and conducted
visitor into a small room, which evidently
@ed the purpose ~ private Office
%SS@And now what is II p" she demanded
NY name is Jenkns-May Jenkins" began
-, boldly. For several months have been ia
1npoy OF Casper Carson. DO you know him? ?"
1srhaps, was the enigmatic response. AND