Charlevoix county herald., 1916-10-27


OF this hotel, Mr.. Lamar" The man
spoke hurriedly. as II distressed.
Several guests have lost articles OF
Jewelry tonight. I am afraid a pro-
fessional thief Is at work among them.
Can't you do something about 1t, Mr..
Lamar? / hate to trouble you, but"
"Oh. that's all right-that's all
Has anyone who reported a loss to
you said anything about a Red Circle.
Mr.. Radner?"
mo. l don't think 80. Nobody has
the slightest clue It's the cleverest
sort of theft I've ever known. There's
master crook operating here. I'm
certain"
III see what I can do, Mr.. Radner.
Just go 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 prctruding in an ugly
determined way. The Japanese silk
draperies behind him moved slightly
as II in obedience to a 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 q
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.
"Will you let me come to see you
tomorrow morning to tell you few
more details of this case?' he inquired
eagerly.
I'D be delighted to have you come"
June replied heartily. I'm rather ex.
cited about the idea of joining forces
with you and-oh!"
She broke OF suddenly and put her
hand to her throat II 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 fingertips was pendant of
pearls. Emblazoned on the back of
the hand was an irregular circle of
brilliant scarlet!
Lamar and June sat as IL paralyzed.
until a scraping sound shattered the
spell.
Lamar sprang to his feet, jumped
over the bench and tore the portieres
from the heavy brass poles that sup
ported them. He found himself in a
little oblong recess. Directly in front
Of him was long window opening
presumably on the porch.
With a muttered imprecation he
threw himself at the closed window,
expecting II to give. The force of his
onslaught shattered several of the
small pancs, but his progress was
blocked by 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.
II was this sudden Earring that
awakened Mary from her nap in the
deep chair. With the dull gaze, or
person Just reused from sleep,
the old woman rubbed her eyes
and looked about. In the same room,
but In far distant corner, she heard
the soft rustic Of woman's skirt.
Then the clink Of glass against metal.
She twisted quietly in the chair un-
til she was crouching 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
own predicament
Over In a half-lit corner was large
square pedestal holding bronze stat
uette. Standing so that its 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 its back. On 1t blazed a
Red Circle!
Mary lodged down behind the chair
top as the woman slowly turned her
head. After few seconds the sound
OF liquid dripping into a glass made
her anxious to look again.
The woman was holding small
sponge in her left hand. She squeezed
II dry into a 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.
Sho saw the woman take up the glass,
deliberately spill the liquid on the
| floor and gather a brush tiny box of