Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1916-11-24

spoke huTriedly. as II distressed.
Several guests have lost articles OF
tewelry tonight. | am afraid a pro-
fessional thief is at work among them.
Can't you do something about it. Mr..
Lamar? hate to trouble you. but"
oh, that's all right-that's all
right" Lamar muttered in~distinctly.
Has anyone who reported a loss to
you said anything about a Red Circle,
Mr.. Radner?"
NO. don't think so. Nobody has
the slightest clue. It's the cleverest
sort of theft I've ever known. There's
a master crook operating here, I'm
certain"
III see what l can do. Mr.. Radner.
Just 90 out and mingle with the guests
as though nothing had occurred. will
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,
determined way. The Japanese silk
draperies behind him moved slightly
as II in obedience to q gentle breeze.
June put her hand over his, sooth-
ingly.
you are terribly worried over this
mystery" she said softly. Let me
help you solve 1t. won't you? Who
knows but that ! may develop into a
regular detec-er-crime specialist"
Annoyed and worried as he was,
Lamar threw back his head and
laughed heartily.
"All right. Miss Travis" he said
gravely. I'll appoint you my first as
sistant on this case. Perhaps you can
help me-"
June turned toward him, her face
alight.
I'll do my best" she promised.
"Wlll you let me come to see you
tomorrow morning to tell you q few
more details Of this case!" he inquired
eagerly.
I'D be delighted to have you come"
June replied heartily. I'm rather OK.
cited about the idea Of joining forces
with you and--oh!"
She broke on suddenly and put her
hand to her throat. 1t was bare. Her
pearl pendant was gone! She twisted
around with lightning rapidity, drag
ging Lamar around with her. The
portieres Of Japanese silk were parted
slightly. Protruding from the opening
was a white hand with slender, taper
ing fingers. Hanging from the over
manicured flngertips was a pendant Of
pearls. Emblazoned on tho back OF
the hand was an irregular circle OF
brilliant scarlet!
Lamar and June sat as II p~aralyzed.
until q scraping sound shattered the
spell.
Lamar sprang' to his feet, jumped
over the bench and tore tho portieres
from the heavy brass poles that sup.
ported them. He found himself in q
little oblong recess, Directly in front
OF him was a long window opening
presumably On the porch.
With a muttered imprecation he
threw himself at the closed window,
expecting It to give, The force of his
onslaught shattered several OF the
small panes, but his progress was
blocked by a wicker porch settee that
had evidently been placed there for
that very purpose.
Unable to check his speed he tum-
bled %headlong over this settee and
landed bruised against the outer rail
Of the porch. The frail settee had
cracked under his weight and the thud
of his falling body sounded unnatural
ly loud on the still air.
1t was this sudden Earring that
awakened Mary from her nap in tho
deep chair. With the dull gaze, or
a person just reused from sleep,
the old oma rubbed her eyes
and looked about. In the same room,
but In a far distant corner, she heard
the soft rustic Of q woman's skirt.
Then the clink Of glass against metal.
She twisted quietly in the chair UNI
til she was c%rouching on her knees
on the seat Of 1t, facing the back.
Cautiously she raised her body until
her eyes were just above the edge.
What she saw made her forget her
OWL predicament.
Over In a half-lit corner was a large
square pedestal holding a bronze stat
uette. Standing so that It's shadow half
concealed her, was the daring Woman
In Black. her right hand lifted so that
the feeble light from the hanging lamp
fell athwart It's back. On It blazed q
Red Circle!
Mary lodged down behind the chair
top as the wonan slowly turned her
head After . few seconds the sound
Of liquid dripping into a glass made
her anxious to look again.
The oma was holding o small
sponge IN her left hand. She squeezed
It dry into q glass half full of water.
Smiling whimsicially to herself, she
rubbed the back OF her right hand
with the dampened sponge. The Red
Circle disappeared.
Breathless with excitement, Mary
strained her eyes to catch every move.
She saw the woman take up the glass,
- H Il