The Dermott news., 1916-06-29

feSSlOnal thief IS at work among them. | Can't you do something about it, MT. Lamar? I hate to trouble you, but"
 "Oh, that's all right-thats all right. Lamar muttered indistinctly. Has anyone who reported a loss to you said anything about a Red Circle, MT. Radner2"
 No. don't think so. Nobody has the slightest clue It's the cleyerest sort of theft I've ever known. There's a master crook operating here, I'm certain"
 'Ill see what can do. Mir Radner Just go out and mingle with the guests as though nothing had occurred. will you@ I'll be out ill a minute"
 Lamar cane back to the bench and sat down. his hands cleHched tightly, his lower jaw protruding in an ugly, determined way The Japanese silk draperies behind him moved slightly as if in obedience to a gentle breeze. June put her hand over his. sooth- ingIy
 You are terribly worried over this mystery" she said softly Let me help you solve it. won't you2 Who knows but that I may develop into a regular aetec -er=crimo specialist
 Annoyed and worried as he was. Lamar threw back his head and laughed heartily
 All right Miss Travis" he said grayely HI appoint you my first as sistant on this ease Perhaps you can help me"
 June turned toward him, her face alteht
 "Iu do my best" she promised.
 "Wiu you let mo come to see you tomorrow morning to tell you d few more details Of this case2's he inquired eagerly
 I'd be delighted to have you come June replied heartily. I'm rather eH. cited about the idea of joining forces With yea ana-oh."
 She broke of suddenly and put her hand to her throat It was bare. Her pearl pendgat was coue' She twisted around with lightning raPidty. drag sing Lamar around with hcr. The portfcrcs of Japanese silk were parted slightly. rrotraaag from the epening was a white hand with slender. taper ing fingers Hanging from the over maaieured GHEeraHs was pendant Of pearls Emaiazonod on the back Of the hand was an irregular circle of brilliant scarlet
 Lamar and June sat as f paralyzed unt1 scraEug sound shattered the spell
 Lamar spraue 10 his feet. jumped over the bench and tore the portieres from the heavy brass poles that sup ported fhcm He found himself in a i IhtGe ot.oug recess Directly in front of him was faug wndow opening presumably en the porch
 With a mutterod Imprecation he threw himself at the closed window l expecting | to Eive The force of his l onslaught shattered several of the i small paDes but his progress was l blocked by a wicker porch settee that ! had evidently been placed there for that very purpose
 Unable 10 check his speed he tum- ] bled headlong over this settee and ! landed bruised against the outer rail of the porch The frai scttee had l cracked under his weight and the thud l of his falling body sounded unnatural 1 ly loud on the still air
 It was this sudden jarring that awakened Mary from her nap in the i deep chair. With the dull gaze or a person just reused from sleep. the cid woman rubbed her eyes and looked about In the same room, but in far distant corner. she heard the soft rustic of womans skirt. Then the cliuk of glass against metal.
 She twisted quietly in the chair un- 1T she was Crouching on her knees on the seat Of it facing the back. Cautiously she raised her body until 1 her eyes were just above the edge. What she saw made her forget her own predlcament
 Over in a haltlit corner was large square pedestal holding a bronze stat uotte. Standing SO that it's shadow half concealed her, was the daring Woman in Black, her right hand lifted so tha: the feeble light from the hanging lamp fell athwart it's back. On 1t blazed a Red Circle
 Mary lodged down behind the chair top as tho woman slowly turned her 1 head After a few seconds the sound of liquid dripping into a glass made her anxious to look again.
 The woman was holding a small sponge in her left hand She squeezed ] f. dry into a glass half full of water Smlng whimsieially to herself. she rubbed the back of her right hand with the dampeued sponge. The Red . Circle disappeared.
 Breathless with excitement, Mary strained her eyes to catch every move She saw the woman take up the glass deliberately spill the liquid on the floor. and gather a brush, tiny box of water color paints and the sponge | fyCry, vaIartal n1yriDo ho tyla q