Charlevoix county herald., 1916-10-12

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cause that is the only way you can
help me. And | need help so, dear"
And in less than a minute she had
gone, her face wreathed in smiles,
waving a gay good-by with the gloves
she WAS drawing on.
At the foot Of the stairs Lamar was
waiting for her His manner was now
a trife Overcourteous.
Upstairs at the window OF the girl'x
sitting room, Mary stood behind the
draperies, motionless, and watchH
them go.
God, he suspects her! There is
danger for my little girl. God, tell me
what to do! God-hear me in my
trouble-tell me what to dol"
From far down the street the echo
of June's merry laugh came back to
her as she prayed in agony
You will remember precisely where
she passed you?" Lamar was saying,
suavely you see, ordinarily, 1t is
enough to remember just about where
a thing happened. But when you're
where"
IF you become any more profession
al and technical | shall get so mixed
up | won't remember anything" June
warned him, jokingly. I'm all shiv-
cry, right now! I'm thinking it great
fun to be sleuth."
"Really?" observed Lamar cycling
her keenly. 81 trust you will continue
to find it great fun Miss Travis"
'Here!" cried June mock-dramatical,
ly, right, on this spot is where |
should say passed the yelled woman in
black-that is. where she passed me,
| mean"
She was pointing a tragic forefinger
a small spot in the tagging. Then
suddenly startled cry burst from her
and she raised her arm limply-and
pointed.
Turning the detective saw woman
in black-a long coat hid her figure,
thick veil shrouded her features. She
stood motionless on the walk, in front
of a huge tree.
lncredulous, Max looked from the
sabledraped figure to the halffaint-
ing girl beside him-then back again.
The woman hadn't moved. She seemed
unconscious of their presence.
rs that the one?" he mutterf
hoarsely. as that the woman who
passed your"
Stunned by the horror of it all, June
nodded her head. Immediately Lamar
left her side and started to stroll aim
lessly toward the woman in black
The sound of his steps on the pave
ment reused the yelled woman from
her lethargy. She turned her head
with quick, startled movement and
walked rapidly away.
Lamar quickened his pace. June,
fearful of what she had done, started
after him. Suddenly the woman I'm
black, cut across lawn, breaking
into a run.
June saw the crime specialist clench
his fist fercely. His quarry had given
him the slip The girl found a wonder
full exhilaration in the fact.
AS she watched him his chin sud
denly shot forward-his eyes strained
from their sockets, and a smile, cruel
yet suave, dawned around his mouth.
At the rear of the house stood a gar
age. Across it's freshly painted, light
gray door sprawled a blotch OF inky
black, plastered there by the wind.
The breeze died. The black patch
fluttered and fell, hanging in limp
folds. With three bounds Lamar had
reached the garage door and was pull
ing at the soft cloth. He strained at
the door, thinking II would give under
the pressure. But It was locked.
When Lamar turned to June great
beads of sweat stood on his forehead,
and rolled from his temples. -
AT last" he said exultantly, II
have the yelled woman this time, and
perhaps-the mystery OF the Red
Circle!"
June stared at the edge of the black
cloak that he gripped so tightly She
recognized 1t. II washer own!
Inside the garage, fiat against the
door imprisoned by the cloak edge
she could not tear free) the woman in
black pushed the veil back from her
gray-white face and prayed:
God keep my lamb from harm!"
lend OF THIRD INSTALLMENT)