The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-07-09

insolence and he was man who could he graf
ingty insulting without much raising his
voice. The other two flushed Wentworth darted
glance at Durkn, and STROBE to the door, fol-
lowed by his companion
You will be sorry for this MAXWELL and
his face was dull purple. NO man can insult
me you have done and not regret il You may
think YOU are on top just now, but before we are
done"
YES, before we are done with you, you will
be on your knees whining for mercy!" inter-
iectcd Durl<in.
The voices Of the pair were raj sed to n point
ttat was far from discreet A short distance
along the corridor. a door opened cautiously, and
round its edge peered the wondering face of
girl who drew back cautiously It was Mona and
as she held her breath, she motoned silently for
Mary to join her. The other just In time to
hear Maxwell's door close with angry bang
and to see Wentworth and Durkin shake their
fists in silent rage at its panels. Then they strobe
towards the elevator, giving every appearance of
two men so thoroughly angry that they dared not
trust themselves TO speak
For a moment the two girls stood staring
after the retreating figures Then Mona turned
swiftly to her companion.
"fhey came from Roland Maxwell's rooms
They must have gone in just after we left
She broke of softly
How would You like to do a bit of amateur
detective work, deHr?'
Mary laughed. You mean to follow them?
Have You any idea that there is anything afoot
in which we might be ntercsted?'
you never can tell the enigmatic re-
ioinder. I'm wait here for you. If you hurry
YOU can catch the next elevator down J"
Mary flung saucy kiss her shoulder
she darted down the hall. Had either of the
two girls-the self-styled Social Pirates"~a
vision of the strange events, to which their sud
den decision TO lead Them 1t is probable that
Mary's departure would not have been either so
assured prompt
As the elevator reached the lobby Mary
stepped out quickly and darted swift glance
about the sumptuously furnished hostelry 1t
of the largest and most pretentious hotels
in the city, and was located sufficiently near the
heart Of the shopping and theatrical district 10
attract always a large and substantial transient
trade. An hour earlier the lobby would have been
filed with the last of the luncheon guests, but
just it fairly clear, and the girl had
unobstructed view either side of her, For
moment she thought she had lost the two men,
of whom she was in search and then she gave
little exclamation Of relief. They were mounting
the wide sweep of stairs on the farther side Of
the rooms. She strolled carelessly after them,
and followed up the stairs, hardly dozen feet
behind them, and in ample time To see them take
their places at of the row of desks, and draw
hhtel letter head out of the rack.
Mary sauntered into the ROOM and dropped
into chair at the adjoining desk, likewise draw
ing paper and pen to her. and assuming to be
deeply absorbed in the composition of note, In
reality straning her ears desperately In the hope
Of overhearing some fragment of the dialogue of
the two men that would her as a clue TO
their purpose and errand. For several moments
her efforts were useless, and she drawing
deep breath of disappointment when the taller
Of the two WORTHLESS at the next desk carelessly
raised his voice. His tones died down again al
most Immediately, but the listening girl had been
rewarded with the startling sentence: "Wen
either clean up on this-or do time ~
Mary's face flushed, and she bent closer
her note to hide her excitement. Things were
growing interesting! 1t clear that the two
men were rather laboriously composing a note.
or letter. and that they were having more or Less