The Washington herald., 1916-06-04

a afairs where they chanced to meet. In the mean
time, Mary's acquaintanceship with Reginald
Wentworth was fast approaching a degree Of in
timacy. 1t was apparent 20 the girl that the
genuinely attracted to her, and the topic Of
Mrs. Douglas, and the supposed young wife's in
discretions was discussed between them with a
direct candor and speculation. But there
vague, indefnab BILE element of distrust, even vet
in Wentworth's manner, which the girl was al
loss to understand until one evening when the two
motored out to a restaurant on the outskirts Of
the city for a Bohemian dinner.
During the ride Wentworth carelessly toyed
with his wallet, which he had drawn from his
pocket to refer to a memorandum it contained.
Suddenly he looked up at her, and tapping the
wallet significantly, said: DO you know that its
contents almost priceless to myself-and a
certain very worried lady Of society?-
Mary shook her head with a quizzicsl smile
81 dare say that the lady in question would
redeem the half dozen letters in this wallet for a
thousand apiece-and be grateful for the chance"
The subject dropped. and il not until
Wentworth received a sudden telephone call during
the course of the dinner, and excused himself that
the conversation REQUIRED to the girl. There hv
his plate the wallet, where in his haste he
had forgotten it For a moment she hesirated,
and then her hand reached out StPaIthilv 20 an
propriate it The instinct that whispered her
swift warning she could not have explained, but
she drew back hurriedly. leaving the wallet un-
disturbed. Was it not possible that Wentworth
had laid a clever trap to test her? 1t was in
conceiva be that man. accustomed to living bv
his wits. would he careless enough to leave a six
thousand dollar weapon of blackmail conspicu-
Ously on a restaurant table, moment later
Wentworth sauntered back. and his glance told
Mary that her suspicious had been justified
With low laugh he picked up the wallet,
and turning it inside out, flung it back. 1t was
empty!
please accept nv apologies for doubling
you" he said in a low tone. But | couldn't afford
to take a chance-and if we are TO play the game
together, must be absolutely certain that are
going to do il on the square"
Mary paled. How near she had been TO q
hopeless. fatal betrayal!
When she rejoined Mona that night her mind
was definitely made up. She would force the situ-
alton to d climax without further delay. She saw
that every day might hold fresh pitfalls and
new dangers. So they chose that same night for
their little drama.
1t nearly noon when Mary called up
Wentworth al his apartment. and asked hurriedlv
for immediate inter, lew. When he met her an
hour later she impaired to him the intelligence
that Mrs. Douglas and Carlton. after the theater
that night were TO be together in the formers
apart ment at the ROanoake.
And have a plan which I think will give
what we have been scheming for" ended Mary
enthusiastically. For several moments She spoke
swiftly and nervously, and at the end Wentworth
caught her hand enthusiastically.
Splendid" he cried. I'll be ready when YOU
are" The die was cast,
II was Just before eleven o'clock that night
when the telephone in the apartment Of Mary and
Mona announced the arrival of Wentworth in the
lobby. Mary asked him to come up at once She
was alone. Mona had left for a theater with
Carlton shortly after seven o'clock dinner,
leaving Mary to put the finishing touches 10 the
last act they had planned in their little drama.
She received Wentworth al the door. and with a
show Of secrecy conducted him through the living
room into inner bedroom
Wentworth glanced around him curiouslv
and his ives lighted as he noted a camera, and
HaShlight apparatus. already in position and
trained on the living-room.
All that we need now is to wait until she
~ nar7T ok ,.arI,, III
and then light the powder. The camera will do the
rest" chucklcd Mary in apparent gIee.
And We will sell the plate to the highest
bidder" said Wentworth with a grimness which
showed that he al least was in deadly earnest
"HuSh,' cautioned Mary suddenly. catching
his arm as a key turned in the hall lock The
next moment Mona and Carlton entered the
suite. and the latter removed his COnpani0n',
wraps with show Of tenderness. which made
Wentworth smile again in authorization. trrrt-
ing lunch Of cold 'iandS had already been set on
a table. Carlton took the seat. which Mona indi-
Gated. and edged his chair closer TO her as She
inspected the articles Of the menu
Now" whispered Mary.
Wentworth softly struck a match and dropped
It into the powder. as Mary flung aside the heavy
draperies. screening the entrance 10 the IiyinG-
room. The bright flash Of the powder mingled
with cry of fright from Mona-and Wentworth
stepped into the outer room. smiling cynicallv
But his smile was suddenly frozen.
Carlton facing him with a drawn re-
volver
Hands up" snapped the young actor
Wentworth whirled about-to confront a >oc-
ond revolver in the hands of Mary. The girl
laughed at the scOwl of rage on his face
Caught with the goods =" she mocked
you devil" he Growled, a. Mary laughed
That will do" commanded Carlton. The
games up. We've got You fair, and we mean TO
hold you! We know your connection with The
Tattler, and your own Judgment must tell YOU
that we have evidence enough of your blaCkmail-
ing methods to send you to prison for more Years
than you would probably care to reckon -
What do you want?" glowered Wentworth
"First-ThOse letters Of Mrs. Burton's and
next your promise to put The Tattler out of busi-
ness and remove yourself from this ,icinitvI"
Which means, of course, immunity from the
law?" sneered Wentworth
Not quite" 1t Mary who spoke. You
are forgetting the expenses of the caSe-and the
money you have made spend to get YOU where
we wanted you! ] think five thousand would
about cover it. You can give us a check think
we can take it for granted that YOU won't stop
payment
Mona stepped to the telephone and ordered a
taN-cab. The party then went to The TattIrr
Office and recovered the letters and received the