Omaha daily bee., 1916-07-16

sound OF voices, raised in argument. in
the entrance hall OF the fashionable
apartment building. where Mary and
her chum, Mona Hartley, had taken
small suite.
Mary opened the door softly, and
-peered out. In the hall were stand
ing a man and wonan--the former
especially noticeable because of the
costume OF an East Indian which he
wore. and the tan on his face, suggest
ing a recent return from the tropics.
His companion was quite obviously a
woman of wealth and refinement. Her
gown bore all the signs OF the cxpen-
sive simplicity Of fashionable de-
signer. just now her face was un-
naturally white, and she was staring
At her escort with wide eyes.
The East Indian stepped closer to
her, and passed his hand swiftly be-
lore her eyes with the gesture of a
professional conjuror. The woman
stiffened, her breast heaving, her
hands clenchcd. The man peered
closer into her face, shrugged, and,
stopping, inserted key in the door
OF the opposite apartment, motioned
for her to enter 1t was not until the
couple had disappeared that Mary
turned, and then she saw that her
companions were gathered about her
shoulders. They, too, had witnessed
the strange tableau.
Can you beat it?" gasped Rodney
Grant, the young newspaper reporter
who, in company with Casper Carson,
the millionaire philanthropist and So
cisl worker, had been calling on the
girls. Was the woman really hyp-
iiotized?"
Carson frowncd, as he stepped back
into the living room. don't like the
looks Of it," he said soberIy, There
was something about that little scene
which" He stopped, hesitating for
. word, and Mary, motioning the 9TH
ers back, stepped softly across the
hall until she was just opposite the
door. Kneeling down. she peered
through the keyholc. She saw the
Hindoo make more passes in front
Of the woman, and then, under the
domination of his stronger will, the
woman handed him a paper. Then
the curious couple left the apart
T11ent. A moment later Mary, with a
skeleton key, entered the room and
seized the paper, which proved to be
safe. combination. She copied the
figures and returned TO her room.
Looks like 4 combination" said
Grant.
ut is combination, stupidT re-
turned Mary. "And that is why the
Hindoo wanted it. The poor woman
is evidently completely In his power,
and was probably obeying orders
when she came here with him to-
night"
Carson nodded thoughtfully. II am
going to do some investigating" he
decided. First, am going to see
what the janitor can tell me about
our curious friend"
) The janitor was quite ready to talk
when Carson showed him SIS bill,
but he could supply little information
except the fact that the occupant of
the apartment was Hindoo, who
gave the name of Hadj Rulu, and that
he had quite large number OF visit
ors, most Of whom were well dressed
women, who came in private auto
mobiles As for the rest Of i, the
man kept only one servant, Hindoo
like himself, paid his rent promptly,
snd had little to say to anyone.
AZ 1t developed, 1t was quite %
much coincidence as skill that Mary
and Mona CHANGED on the next clue to
the case. They were passing . fash
ionable hair-dressing establishment on
shopping tour the next afternoon
when a woman emerged from the
doorway, and crossed the walk Just
ahead OF them 1t was none other
than Mrs. Wallace.
Mary and Mona watched her step
into 4 private limousine and drive
away.
sNhateyer in the world is the mat
terri cried Mona as Mary suddenly
seized her arm.
II have thought OF way to reach
the heart Of my mystery was the
Quick response. IL am going to call
on Mrs. Wallace this afternoon, and
see Il she doesn't want TO hire my
profe ssional servicesl / am going to
Sc 4 hair dresser and manicurist," ex-
planned Mary, zone who specializes
n giving home treatments to wealthy
citizens"
Two hours later Mary rang the bell
ii the Wallace home. and explained
the nature OF her errand to Mrs. Wal
lace, who agreed to have her begin
treatment the next day.
Mary was rising when maid en-
tered, and announced, "Mr. Hadj Ru-