The Washington herald., 1916-04-09

meeting with Mary-previously arranged
for cnd held at nearby roadhouse
Everything looks fine, my DEAR" said Mona.
But you've got to hnd real burglar for me
some one who can crack q safe I can't do that
and it's the safe that contains what we're
after Do you think you can2"
II can try" said Mary. "I know some
awfully disreputable people, you know
well, it's vital to my plan to have depend
able safe cracker. I'll leave that to you. AS
usual, the really hard work is for you to do
Mary did as she had told Mona, know a lot
of more or less shady people. And the night
of her talk with Mona she went to a place she
had not visited for long time place that had
threatened, once, to entrap her, and drag her
down. II was luxurious resort of those who
smoke opium-a place where the drug is
rounded with all the giamor and false romance
that constitutes its chief appeal to many who
are forming its acquaintance for the first time.
This place wcs not in Chinatown, but IN the
heart of one of the best districts of the city
IT house luxuriously appointed and fur
nished. There was a great room where, II they
SO desired, the patrons might take their ease on
soft eouches. II they preferred however, small
rooms We're at their disposal, where they might
have privacy. Many customers came TO this resort
because they knc they need be seen by none of
their fellow smokers.
There ha been time when Mary had nearly
fallen victim TO the smoking habit. But she
had Taken o.: the Geadly spell of the drug, and
she hesitate even with fixed purpose in her
mind, to renew her acql -intance with It, 1t had
to md man { the sort she needed. Here
would be no common criminals, but only the very
pick and choice of the profession.
The proprietor & this resort China
man, whose eyes CLEANED coyetously at the sight
of Mary.
'You alice same come back one time, two
timer" he said, glostingiy. he faneied that she,
who had once escaped, was now about to fall
back into his clutches once more And he knew
that those who returned did not escape a second
time! -
"Yes-snd I want Ching to cook for me-"
she said. She affected great lassitude Ching
came, and welcomed her. He began to roll a
pill" for her.
Listen, Ching" said Mary. You want
money!
Yes" said Ching who, save for an inability
to get his tongue around an R, spoke almost per-
feet English.
Then do something for me, and you shall
have it-s5O. See? Here It is. / want to know
II there Is a man here who knows how TO blow
safes"
Ching thought a moment "Stapngs" he said.
He did a job in 'Flisco-now he is hiding here.
Come. show him TO you"
He guided her to of the little private
rooms. And there she found stallngs, a young,
keen faced man He had been smoking. but
Mary saw at once that he was an old timer
that the drug had no perceptible effect upon him.
Want company she said. I'D like to
smoke my pipe here with you"
Welcome he said.
He wasn't at all the sort one would expect
TO be a craftsman. He was rather attractive
young man, and only his eyes betrayed him. He
looked like any young fellow, with plenty of
money! successful young business man, per
haps. Mary studied him, and decided on bold
play. 'I know sill about you" she said. You're
safe blower"
"A pinch?' he said, not very curiously
Nothing like that" she told him. at just
happens that need some in your line as
badly as I'll ever need anything"
Tell meP' he said, interested.
why not?" said Mary. I'm pretty des-
peratep
And she recounted, with changes to fit her
appearance, the story Clyde had told of the
in the hotel and the letters Reynolds
held She told her story well, and she could see
the appeal was striking home to Stslngs
The hound !" he said "Ssy-rm no saint.
you know, but he-well, he's past all limits Sure