The Washington times., 1916-01-20
CONTINUED from Yesterday

THE Travis car turned into the
drive leading to the hotel. June
squeezed Mrs. Travis hand un-
der the robes.
Just look at the crowd she ex-
claimed with delight. This is going
10 be the best dance OF the season. I
see Nell Ferguson. Don't you see her
standing next to that second pillar
talking to Warren Pearson, mother?
She's got on that embroidered thing
her uncle brought her from Japan.
must dance with Warren-he's a
dream"
June"
I meant dream of a dancer moth
err I'm not a bit interested in Warrie
PEARSON II that's what you mean.
An attendant in livery helped them
from the car. June took hold of Mary's
hand and helped her UP the steps.
Just don't you let me catch you
flrting-that's ALL" she whispered
wickedly in the old woman's ear; and
Mrs. Travis wondered what Mary's
sudden indignant exclamation was
about
Every ones going inside. dear" the
nurse said. as they reached the top
or the steps. Let me take your
Things to the coat room or you'll be
late for the first dance"
On, l don't care about the first
dance. I haven't promised it to any
one I'm going to see who's here first.
stay out here with me just a minute"
She walked to one of the long French
windows and looked inside The scene
loh IN
"ws Yet over in one corner, leaning
against pillar. his arms folded, his
chln held closely In one hand, was La
mar. In brown study
Are You coming, June?" Mrs Travis
called. little impatiently
meet YOU inside"
Mary crept up beside her and looked
Lamar: and she started so violently
that June put out an arm to steady her.
There's nothing to be frightened
about" she said, soothingly. Nothing
Only WHAT" asked Mary. auaver-
inglv.
Only I'm going to put on my
gloves"
A minute later she entered the ball
room with her mother. Presently she
was surrounded by men imploring her
10 allow them to autograph her dance
card. Lamar glanced up. saw her. and
ton.
AS he emerged from his secluded cor
ner Drew and the count, who had been
looking for him. seized his arm and
pulled him back against the wall.
What have you found out?" asked
Drew. hoarsely.
Lamar shrugged his shoulders. The
gesture was significant.
Nothing he answered simply.
But you've got to- insisted young
Drew. You don't seem to realize what's
involved"
"Oh. / realize It all right" answered
Lamar coldly. but YOU don't seem to
realize that you are dealing with the
most daring. the most ingenious and
most fiendishlY lucky crook that the po-
lice department has run against. These
things don't solve themselves. my boy.
and other people cant solve them
quickly. BY the way. YOU stopped me
when was on my way to perform a
very important errand"
Yes? What? A clue" Drews face
was eagerly alive now.
No" drawled Lamar, mot tina
l was about to greet Miss Travis
and ask her to give me a dance"
Drew grunted in disgust. The count
opened his mouth to protest. But La
mar waved them both aside and hurried
OF.
Mary. sitting on a little settee against
the wall of the ball room saw him take
June's hand and bend over it. She half
rose from the seat. then remembered
Where she was and sat down again:
gripping the arm of the chair and
watching every move of the little group
Suddenly woman appeared at one OF
the ptllars-a woman who attracted at
tention by her daring attire. She wore
gown whose foundation was OF flesh
color chiffon. The oVerdress was SIM
ply a network of Jet. The costume was
daringly deCollete. and was held in place
over the shoulders by delicate chair
of Jet beads. Among the pretty. girlish
dance fToCks 1t looked bizarre-all but
indecent.
Just for a moment she leaned agalns;
the pillar. waving a huge, black ostrich
ian to and fro. over the soft tips OF
the graceful feathers her eyes met those
of Venturesome younE man Sh,
siGnaled. He obeyed. May watched
until the two We're lost in the maze OF
cancers, Then her eyes wandered bach
10 June, who was still deeply ensrosseo
in what Lamar was sayin%.
Mary wished that some Cf the mer
would come up and CLAIM June for q
canoe. Anything to be ii Of Lamar
The worried old woman searched the
crowd in the hope of finding ,Warrer
Pearson. If she succeeded In locatinG
what June had said about wanting tc
dance with him, earlier in the evening
But Warren was nowhere to be seen
lnstead the slender women in :hC
startling costume kept dancing into
MarN's line of vision. Sh" was lean
Ing tack AGAINST her partners arm
looking into his yes. taunting sm'lr
on her thin vivid lips.
White Mary was deciding that thi!
was quite the most disgu7ting type 0l
Baapan khe had ever seen, the strange