The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-05-25
By Frederick Ishaln.


The commodore swore softly
but effectively. Clarence and
Dickie murmured something too.
See here" said the commo-
dore, what's the situation? We
never dreamed. of course. that
you would come here. Have you
been talking with Mrs. Dan and
Mrs. Clarence? Dickie's been
conjuring all kinds of awful
things you might have told them,
If they cornered you and you got
that truth-telling stunt going.
Maybe you would have thought
il capital way to turn. the tables
on lis poor chaps?" hi went on
tabbing Bob with a baleful look.
Perhaps you came here on pur-
pose?"
NO" said Bob, 81 couldn't
have done that, of course, owing
to the conditions" And he relat-
ed what had happened to bring
him there.
Lets get down to brass tacks,
said Dickie, and learn IL our
worst apprehensionb are realized.
There's a girl down here | think
a lot of and I'd like to know If,
by any chance, any conversation
you may have had with her turned
on me. allude to Miss Dolly
II really haven't said anything
to Miss Dolly about YOU" said
Bob to Dickie. Your name hasn't
been mentioned between u.s."
But what about u.s." whisper
ed the commodore sibilantly.
Have you talked with Mrs. Clar-
ence or Mrs. Dan to any great ex-
tent?"
Il haven't had hardly a word
with Mrs. Clarence" answered
Bob, whereupon Clarence began
to throw out his chest"
The commodore shifted uneas-
lily. seeming to find difficulty in
continuing the conversation.
Talk much with Mrs. DAM"
he at length asked nervously.
II did have little conversation
with Mrs. Dan," Bob was forced
to reply. Cor, should Say; to be
strictly truthful, rather a long
conversation. You see, l took her
in to dinner"
The commodore showed signs
of weakness. Talk about me ?"
he managed to ejaculate~ ffS
Some. I'm not certainsjust how
much"
"What-what was said?"
II can't remember all. It's very
confused. I've had a lot Of con-
versations, you see, and most of
them awfully unpleasant. /. re-
member, though, that Mrs. Dan
impressed me as very broad
minded lady. Said she had lived
In Paris, and was not a bit jeal-
, GUS"
What" Dan was breathing
hard.
| "Said she always wanted you
to have the best kind Of time
did she say that?" asked the
commodore. And you believed
it? Go on" In a choked voice.
Did you tell her about that cab
aret EVENING""
4 Il believe it was mentioned, in
cidentally."
Say | was there?" put in Clar-
ence, quickly. He was losing that
"chestiness.
Il "I-rather think I did. What
is that?" Bob looked toward the
window. There was a sound below
at the foot of the balcony. Some
one turned out the light and Bob
strobe to the window and looked
out. cts a dog" he said. "He's
snuffling around at the foot"
Hes doing more than snuff
ing" observed the commodore,
apprehensively, as at that MON ent
a bark smote the air.
The dog barked again. There
upon, window opened and they
knew that some one had been
aroused.
Hes looking out. It's the mon
ocle-chap," whispered Bob.
who's he?"
Zone OF Mrs. Ralston's impor-
tations. Belonged to that Anglo
English colony when she had that
little emigration act In dear old
London"
Hang 1t, we've got to get
! iout," whispered the commodore
} nervously.
= Bob rose to the occasion.
II can let you into the hall and
show you downstairs, to that side
door on the other side of the
house"
He opened the door softly and
: led the way. They attained down
a stairs safely, and at last reached
l the side door without causing any
5 disturbance. Bob unfastened the