The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1916-01-15

day Of thrills. suspense-tragedy. win
you tel me something Of criminals az
you know them? Two tried to study
them just n little and"
There was n smothered exclamation;
II was In another sound that camc
from the stairway. June looked up
Just In time 10 q a portion Of Q
black shirt move from the hall out on
to the porch. Then followed a low.
toned order In Mary's voice-ths
words broken" ana vase drifted In
through the open window. ny a length.
ened shadow and q reflection In the
window pane June saw that the nurse
was standing. hidden. just outside the
sill.
II amused the girl. II reminded her
Of q lioness standing yer cub when
the hunter drew near. But this man
Lamar was 30 mild. go ~prefectiy harm
less-doubtless he was q sleuth Of
great reputation. but under this ROOT
he was merely q courteous man OF the
world. VINO called because he was In.
terested In her.
I'll raise the ante" Lamar broke
In on her musings-thcn caught him
self. Il beg your pardon. Miss Travis.
| have no reason 10 believe that you
are familiar with poker terms. ! meant
that I'd bid one hundred times the
orthodox amoun, OF one cent II you'll
tell me what your thoughts were just
then. Whatever they were. they were
indulgcnt. cynical and amusing; be.
cause your eyes mirrorcd each one Of
those moods
June managed n mock serious shnd
der.
You appall me. Mr.. Lamar" she
answered laughingly, Il was thinking
just then OF the number OF criminals
you must have met"
"All kinds; and many Of each kind"
he started %gravely. And, II you really
don't mind talking OF such things. I'd
like 70 ask you something. Before we
met yesterday In the PARK. Miss Travis,
did you see anything Of q yelled o
an in black"
Outside. on the porch, a chair
scraped along the floor. June heard
the sharp intake of Mary's breath.
Il believe ! did pass such n woman"
she brought out the words slowly. as
II unwilling TO make the statement
positive. Yes, now that | think about
1t. I'm sure ! did"
Lamar leaned forward in his chair
and half-unconsciously pla led u hand
upon her arm.
Think. Miss Travis-think," he
urged.
Down the stairs came the sleek. pat.
ter Of Japanese feet In American shoes.
Lamar turned. impatiently. M Yama
advanced 20 the center OF tho room
balancing a dustpan and brush In one
lean. yellow palm the other extended
with a bit Of charred paper fiuttcring
stifly. from Il.
Pardon. MAY this be honorable
value to Miss june he intoned natiy.
Lamar started, at sight OF the frag.
ded. smiled as best she could and took
the paper from the buffers hand.
Thank you. Yes. You may go
With Lar,ar's eyes upon her II was an
effort 20 say ever that.
As Yama disappeared through the
doorway. Lamar turned upon her
What is that" he said sharply.
This" she inquired family. holding
the paper before her.
Yes. What is it,"
Without waiting for her answer and
before she had a chance 10 regain her
shattered csmposure. he took the
burned document from her hand and
examined II carefully.
Where did you get IT." he asked AZ
length and his tone implied that con.
viction had taken place Of suspicion.
why err why. the yelled woman
In black dropped that note as she hur
ried by me"
Lamar walked up close TO her and
looked steadily into her wavcring eyes
Miss Travis he said ~gravely, ARE
you quite sure of that"
Sure? or course I'm sure'" she was
trying desperately TO laugh.
Would you mind showing me fast
where you saw this woman In black
June laughed easily.
Why. of course. ! won't mind. Mr.
Lamar. You're making this triiling
incident such a frightfully serious af
fair. that II rather amuses me. Dc
detectives beg your pardon-dC
crime specialists always have 10 faster
on such silly things to track their
criminals"
Lamar Ignored the sarcasm.
You will Gomez" he repeated
I'm be ready u go out with you. In
two minutes" she promised. running
lightly up the stairs.
A black figure moved quickly across
the porch and entered at \ small side
door. Lamar darted TO the window toe
late to see more than It's shadow
Upstairs, In tho boudoir. June
dragged O hat from It's box and stood
before the mirror swinging II on her
hand. There was q curious buzzing
sound In her ears and things didn't
look sharp and clear cut 10 her eyes
As she turned 10 leave the room
Mary, breathless and shaking with ter
roF, hurried through tho door and
threw her arms about her.
You shan't go'" she declared pas