The Washington herald., 1916-09-24
CHPATER w.
The Mysterious Disappearance.

TwD AROLD STANLEY, two
days later, was about to
leave his Office for the after
A noon, when Florence Mont
roses card was brought to
him.
The girl came in, bringing with her
an elusive atmosphere OF youth and
IoveIiness that seemed to nluntne the
dingy little workaday ONCE.
I've been shopping" she told
Stanley as he hurried forward to well
come her. And I've stopped IN, for
a second, on my way uptown to see
II there is any clue yet to the ex-
plosion at the Lent house or 10 poor
old Mr.. Lent's death. It's all taken
such a strange hold on me! I can't
wait for tomorrow's paper TO read
about it Is there anything newT'
No, he returned. Worse fuckf In
these Crimson Stain cases there's
never anything new, so far as we in
vestgators are concerned. The Grim
son Stain supplies US with something
new all the time, in the shape Of
fresh outrages. But we are too stu
PA4 W pOSO VI I'll SuoSA lnC4I
He spoke bitterly; with a sense Of
almost hopeless defeat. And the girl
was reused to quick sympathy at his
chagTin.
You're doing splendidly," she said.
No one could do more. The whole
state Is talking about the Examin-
er's wonderful crusade against the
Crimson Stain. read your editorial
this morning, too-the editorial fay
ing Parrish for not doing more. 1t
was perfectly fine, Harold. I'm sure
It will spur him to"
ITO hating the Examiner, finished
Stanley. That's about all the good
it will do, I'm afraid. The police
department in general, is doing the
very best it can; and doing a lot bet
ter than the police departments Of
most other cities could: but this man,
Parrish, who has international fame
az a detective, and to whom the city
is paying big money to clear up the
Crimson Stain Mystery-he seems to
be doing nothing And was glad Of
a chance to say so in print"
Il wish I could do something TO
help" she sighed. "A woman Is so
helpless"
"A woman" he contradicted, 'Is
about the most helpful parsonage in
all the universe. And there is some
thing you can do"
What? Tell me-"
You remember every detail Of the
Crimson Stain mans face, you say
the man who hypnotized you. And
you saw another member of the gang,
too. don't mean the chauffeur who
came to you with that forged note
from me: the one whose body was
found after the explosion. I mean
the man who was waiting at the Lent
house for you-the man who tried
TO bind your hands. You must surely
remember his face, too?
Indeed, I do" she said with a
reminiscent shudder. I'D know him
again anywhere"
Then whenever you are out Of
doors keep a lookout for the Grim
'cn Stain man and for that lieuten-
ant Of his. Search the faces in every
-rowd. If you happen to see either
= them, call the nearest policeman
md give him into custody. If there
t. no policeman in sight, follow them
a. a distance to whatever house they
"nter. And then telephone me, at
ICE. You are the only living soul,
outside the gang itself, who can rec
oTnize two OF that gangs members.
~ don't say you're helpless You
2-Sy prove to be the most valuable
I'D we have. Will you remember"
"yes!" she cried eagerly. "Oh, yesi
couldn't II be wonderful II I could
;l.,d one Of them for you! I'm going
-: be on the lookout every minute.
promise"
Harold StanIey's private office had
two door+one leading into the city
0oom Of the Examiner. the other
Into a short corridor that ended at