Charlevoix county herald., 1916-10-12
IcoP1RIGhI. IsIs. 81 ALBERT PArsoN TERhUnIJ


Intel OF door.
1t was the garages little back door,
giving on the alley, behind the
grounds. For one suicidal moment,
she thought this back door was locked.
But it was only stuck from long dis
use. She threw her whole fragile
weight against the dirt-crusted portal.
shower of dust and spiders webs
cascaded down upon her head. But
the door quivered at the impact.
She heard wholesome of them
Lamar's. And again she cast herself
against the door. This time it fiew
wide; with a whining of hinges and
clatter of falling debris; and the rush
of her onset drove her half way across
the alley, outside.
Darling back to close the door be-
hind her, the old woman cast fearful
look up and down the alley. The coast
was clear. Incontinently Mary took to
her heels.
Max Lamar chung doggedly to the
coat corner that protruded from the
garages front door. He heard muf-
fled noises from within. But they were
so faint and the door was so thick,
that he could not classify them. Nor,
indeed had he time to. For, present
ly, June reappeared around the corner
of the big house. With her were hat
less and rather annoyed-lcoking wom-
an in a morning gown and a highly
interested butler.
Madam, | am very sorry to disturb
you like this. But we have chased a
thief into your garage, as Miss Travis
has probably explained TO you. | have
hold Of this corner of the fugitive's
coat, as you see Will you let me
break the lock of your garage door
and get in? OF course, III pay"
IF | may suggest" said the woman
in frigid politeness, lit might be better
to go into the garage by the back door,
before breaking my locks. Had that
occurred to you, Mr.. Detective?"
IF let go of this coat-Miss Ira
Wis, will you hold the coat corner for
me while | go around to investigate?
Please!"
why, yes" quaveringly assented
June, taking hold if the cloth, along
side Lamar's own grip. III do my
best. I'm pretty strong"
AS he disappeared, June pressed her
7 face close against the door
Mary" she whispered eagerly;
and Mary! Mary"
No answer. Then in a moment, the
sound of key in the lock. The door
swung open. The woman Of the house
stood in the garage threshold. June
found herself holding the corner of the
empty coat.
"She-she is gomez" stammered
/ June, her temples pulsing and buzzing
with swift relief.
Yes" snapped the woman, "she
got out of the coat and then out of the
back door. Your detective friend is
exploring the alley for her. I'm going
to watch him pick up clues. 1t is
quite amusing. Almost as amusing as
/ Field day at lunatic asylum
A new terror beset June: the coat
that she still held, was a menace. She
began TO realize this: Lamar would
assuredly seize upon it as clue. From
the makers name, he could in time
trace its ownership to her.
She turned the coat over, exposing
the label With a jerk she tore il
away and thrust 1t into the front of
her dress.
She heard Lamar returning, and
she carelessly dropped the coat across
the sill of the open door.
"Well?" queried June, interestedly,
as Max came in sight around the cor
ner of the garage. What news OF
the Yelled Woman?"
Got clean away" he reported, sulk
lily. mo trace of her"
He caught sight of the coat lying
where June had dropped 1t. His look
of chagrin frightened to one of keen
eagerness He snatched the coat from
the greasy floor and twisted around go
as to bring the inside of the neckband
into view And again his face dark
ened.
Clever woman!' he muttered
Even the tailor's label is gone. Well
there's only one thing left TO do. II
and have Allen send a man around
with 1t to every tailor in the city
One Of them is bound to recognize it
And well catch our woman that way
before another days ended"
They left the grounds and gained
the sidewalk.
IL want to thank you ever so much
Miss Travis" he said, "for being sucl
a brick; ard helping me as you have
today. But for your showing m'
where you had seen the Yelled Won
an, should never have gotten on hel
track. II was splendid of you"
1T wasn't" she ccntradicted, Il wal
glad to be OF any help. When | wal
hanging on to that ridiculous coat
corner, like grim death, l felt quite [
heroine. But"
There's another thing" he said
hesitatingly. "A thing hate like blue
poison to say; but it's got to be said
Will you try to forgive me, In ad
vance?"