Rocky Ford enterprise., 1916-06-23

m,steriousu gone. he waited for
time at, the house. Rosalie made no
sign. Presently, Miss Harding and
Miss Jones came home to dinner. ane
afterward Professor Noll. McGee de-
tanned them all. Seven O'Clock passed;
and the other three boarders failed.
like the landlady. to appear. They
were Mr.. North, Mrs. Hanska, and
Miss Lane-all involved in the Hanska
case. When he noted this suspicious
circumstance. he removed Miss BE-
trilla to a private room in the crimi.
nal ward at Bellevue. Booked as Mar
garet Perez. she attracted no great at.
tention from the reporters; especially
since a surgeon. instructed in advance.
gave out hint that she was merely
witness In a counterfeiting case.
Then began an all-night search-for
Estrilla first, for Rosalie next, and.
last Of all for North and the two
women.
Late that night, Inspector McGee,
clutching at every possibility, visited
Lawrence Wade in his cell at the
Tombs and questioned him. The an
nouncement that Mrs. Hanska had dis
appeared seemed to disturb him more
than any device for breaking silence
that the police had ever used; but
still he maintained his attitude of do
hant and somewhat insolent calm. Un-
shaken. he stood all the questioning;
and MCGEE. aware now Of his limo
cence, had not the heart to crowd him
to the wall.
So the night had worn away; and 80
the morning. And Rosalie LIE Grange
made no sign. How long-how longf
He turned to ring for = detective.
The doorman entered.
Mrs. Le Grange to ssa you." hs
said.
For the first time in his life Of brute
force, Martin MCGEE folt his phys
icaj powers crumblins and waning
within him. He sat down at biz desk.
Rosalie Le Grange had coma That
meant present success and ultimate
triumph; for Rosalie Le Grange had
never failed hin yet. Doubtless she
had achieved another Of her miracles
possibly Juan Perez alias Estrilla
was Just behind her.
don't disturb me for anything-until !
tell you"
He started as she stood for . mo-
ment facing him. Dead of eye. dead
of expression. dead of tint-she looked
again all her age. She moved toward
him at a pace which showed effort
with every step.
WELL" he cried. well! We've had
a chase for you. Gee! I couldn't think
what had happened" His professional
concerns rushed into his mind with
the departure Of his greater anxiety.
Where is hef Did you get him7" he
asked.
She ignored the chair which he
pushed toward her. And she simply
shook her head.
What! That comes of letting you
try to get him alone. What a damn
fool-did he get away from your"
Rosalie. still looking into his eyes,
shook her head again.
The change in Inspector McGee's
face expressed his emotion as clearly
as though he had spoken in volumes
His skin flushed; his eyes grew hard;
his Jaw snapped.
you didn't?"
Again Rosalie shook her head.
What do you mean-what do yos
mean?"
Il let him go-I helped him ge4
away" said Rosalie Le Grange.
well. by G-i" cried Inspector
McGee-"by God, we'll get him and
you. Fool me. will you-and trusted
you! If you think you can beat a gen.
eral alarm-where's that doorman"-
with another thought, his hand went
toward the battery of electric bells
which could summon armed men al
from the ground. But Rosalie caught |
his wrist.
"Wait!" she said. "if you ring that |
bell, you shut me up for good. Do
you think any little police Third De |
gree can git anythin' out of me that |
l don't want to tell? Your one chance
to get the truth is to hear 1t now. The |
minute anybody else comes into thai |
door-I close my face. Take youI
hand away from there Bit DOWN."
cro BE coNTINUED)