Omaha daily bee., 1916-06-04

Maxwell surveyed the other silently
IA disconcerting silence, had Max
we'll been a keener, student OF psy-
chology.
What about the ruin that would
result-to innocent investors
What have we 10 do with them!
There is a sucker born every minute,
and / think sometimes the average is
a whole lot higher. If We didn't do
the trimming, someone else would.
And have an idea that we can do
the job just little bit better than
anyone else just nowl Come, what
do you sayf"
Maxwell paced back and forth
across the floor, affecting 10 consider.
Isn't it fact, Wentworth, that
you and Durkin have been caught
short on munitions, and that you
would stand TO profit more than any
one else by the plan you suggest"
Wentworth laughed in an effort to
cover the confusion, which the others
direct question had caused.
What of it2 OF course, ! have
been eaughIi So have others! We
can't all be as lucky as you we're"
What do you think ! am-as big
scoundrel as you two| returned
4 Maxwell with deliberate insolence-
and he was a man who could be graf
ingly insulting without SO much as
raising his voice The other two
1 flushed Wentworth darted a glance
at Durkin, and strobe to the door,
followed by his companion
You will be sorry for this, Max
we'll" and his face was now a dull
purple. No man can insult me as
you have done and not regret i'll 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 mercyP interjected Durkin,
The voices OF the pair were raised
to a point that was far from dis
Greet a short distance along the
corridor, a door opened cautiously,
and round its edge peercd the won
dering face Of a girl, who drew back
cautiously IL was Mona, and as she
held her breath, she motioncd silently
for Mary 10 JOIN her. The other was
Just in time 10 hear Maxwells door
close with an angry bang, and to see
Wentworth ard Durkin shake their
fists in silent rage at its panels
Then they strobe toward 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 retreaBng figures
Then Mona turned swiftly TO her
companion.
They came from Roland Max
; wells rooms. They must have gone
in just after we left ! wonder-l
wonder"
She broke off softly.
How would you like to do a Bill
OF amateur detective work, dearY
Mary laughed you mean 10 fol.
low them1 Have you any idea thai
} there is anything afoot in which W,
! might be interested"
"You never can tell was the eng
matte rejoinder "I'll wait here FOL
you. II you hurry you can catclf~ths
next elevator DOWN.
Mary flung saucy kiss over hel
shoulder as she darted down the hall
, Had either of the two girls-the self
! styled Social Pirates'--a vision O
the strange events, to which theii
sudden decision was to lead them, i
,, is probable that Mary's departure
would not have been either so as
. sured or so prompt.
As the elevator reached the lobb,
Mary stepped out quickly and darte,
swift glance about the SUMPTION
J hostelry. II was one Of the larges
: and most pretentious hotels in tn
city and was located sufficiently nea
the heart of the shopping and theatri
: cal district TO attract always larg
and substantial transient trade. Al
hour earlier the lobby would hav
] been filled with the last OF the lunch
: con guests, but just now il was fairl
, clear, and the girl had an unobstruct
I ed view on either side of her Fo
a moment she thought she had los
the two men, OF whom she was j
Il search. and then she gave little eS
! clamation OF relief They wer
mounting the wide sweep OF stairs o
A the further side OF the lobby, ev
4 IDENTIFY bound for the writing rooms
! She strolled carelcssly after thel
. and followed up the stairs. hardly
: dozen feet behind them, aud in ampl
x time 20 see them take their place
\ al one Of the row Of desks and dra'
n hotel letter head out OF the racl
e Mary sauntered into the room an
Is dropped into a chair al the adjoiuin
4 Z NnaE bI4ts4fals ftraeHtfty paDNr ANIL "a
Go her and assuming 20 be deeply al
n sotbcd in ihc composition at a not
e IA reality sttaining her ears despei
Is ately M the hope 81 overheatin
s some fragment 81 the dialogue Of ii
"a two men that would serve her as
70 clue "a their purpose and eFfand III
n several moments her Efforts wei
5 useless and She was drawing a dee
* breath NJ disappointment when @
taller 0i tht iMn worthless AZ The nf'
(" desk earclgssly rdHed hls Kulgc II
re tones died down again almost lmm
l6 dAteN hul thr listening Nirl ha
ic been rewarded With lht startling sei
~ tsnee Wen either clean np on th
/ da umf
MANS lAer Hushei and the het
~ sl0sel over hr naya tn hide hes =
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