The Washington herald., 1916-05-21

inSoence-and he was man who could be graf
mgy insulting without so much as raising his
voice. The other two flushed Wentworth darted
a glance at Durkin. 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 as yOu have don" and not regret it You may
think you are on top just now, but before we are
dome"
Yes, before done with you, you will
be your knees whining for mercy - inter-
jected Durkin
The voices of the pair were raised to a point
that was far from discreet. 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 motioned silently for
Mary to join her. The other just in time to
hear Maxwell's door close with angry bang.
and to Wentworth and Durkin shake their
fists in silent rage at its panels Then they strode
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.
They came from Roland Maxwelrs rooms.
They must have gone in just after left. 1
She broke off softly
How would you like to do bit of amateur
detective work, dear?"
Mary laughed 'You mean to follow them?
Have you any idea that there is anything afoot
in which we might be interested?"
You never can tell" the enig1natic re-
joinder. I'll wait here for you. If you hurry
you can catch the next elevator down"
Mary flung a saucy kiss her shoulder
as 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, it is proba BILE that
Mary's departure would not have been either
assured or SO prompt.
As the elevator reached the lobby, Mary
stepped out quickly, and darted a swift glance
about the sumptuously furnished hostelry. It was
one of the largest and most Pretentious hotels
in the city, and located sufficiently the
heart of the shopping and theatrical district to
attract always large and substantial transient
trade. An hour earlier the lobby would have been
filled with the last of the luncheon guests, but
Just now it fairly clear and the girl had
an unobstructed view on either side of her. For
a moment she thought she had lost the two men,
of whom she in search, and then she gave
little exclamation of relief They were mounting
the wide sweep of stairs 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 them take
their places at one of the row of desks, and draw
a hotel letter-head out of the rack.
Mary sauntered into the room, and dropped
into chair at the ad joining desk, likewise draw
ing paper and pen to her, and assuming to be
deeply absorbed in the composition of a note, in
reality straining her desperately in the hope
of overhearing some fragment of the dialogue of
the two men that would serve her clue to
their purpose and errand. For several moments
her efforts useless, and she drawing a
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 We'll
either clean up this-or do timeI"
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