The Washington times., 1916-11-11

aged to thwart him. When he wanted
England ! refused. Then he quarreled
a good deal more. and-and, to make
long story short, we separated.
After that 1 spent all my time In try
,ns 20 articles I tSs T Daily 0n Recorder
(Which I'd begun to take In. for Lon
don newO about the mystery OF the
motor car. Mr.. Race. that Hansard
car was my husbands car. I'm sure:
again. I'm afraid-oh, horribly afraid
something dreadful has happened to
him. He'd just bought red Hansard
car. exactly answering the description
Of the SSs n, one you found IN 10 sne 3. s
wife again. He came In 1t to see me
and wanted me to 20 out with him, as
he was very keen on motoring. Irleno
had sold the car to him-a man l met
didn't like the creature. IL think he
rather admired me and would have been
glad to flirt. although my husband had
told him our story. l believe mat my
husband may have-as he threatened 10
do-lost all interest In life and com.
mitted suicide. Or else some other awful
thing has happened. / can't help feeling
as II, in either case. l may be TO blame.
so had TO come. couldn't rest. Oh, III
only he could be found. how i wonld
hoped you might have solved the mys,
terry by this time, or N not, that
could help you. So now you UNDERSTAND
why I'm here. and why. In way,I have
q, right to beg that you'll tell me every, ny,
know. Do you believe my husband has
killed himself. or been murdered?"
Christopher hesitated. He did believe
that the man had been murdered; but
how could he strike this lovely, impul-
al uatna N tarr1hle hl0W and tell her
what was In his mind while stu ne
might be mistaken?
She saw his hesitation and guessed It's
meaning, however. With n cry she COW
cred her face with her hands and burst
much!" she sobbed. "low can 1 bear
this-how can bear IT,"
Don't, beg OF you. lie may be
safe; he Christopher had begun to
stammer. when there came an impera-
tive knock at the door.
Mrs. Fostercue. trembling. checked her
sobs. ] mustn't be seen like this" she
faltered. who can It be-"
Probably a detective have en-
ployed.' said Christopher.
"oh. then" sha- implored. "let me stop
till he In gone. Let me wait behind that
tall screen In front OF the fireplace"
Without waiting for permission, she
ran across the room and hid herself At
the same moment the knock was repeat
y,
the lady In the room, christopher called.
"Come in"
Again he was surprised. Instead OF
the little French detective. he saw the
man he had pursued to Paris.
r. This man. rather pale but composed.
walked quickly into the room and closed
the door.
81 saw in the Daily Record that you
would be here. so. instead OF waiting for
you to run me down. thought It would
hAttAr RI In, xyassVs AaF,
Christopher Race" said the newcomer.
For an instant Christopher did not
answer. The chauffeur had given his
masters name as. Fortescue. But was
derer OF Fortescue. who had stolen his
Victims identity for some purpose OF his
own? The doubt was gruesome. since
Fortescues wife was in the room. Christ
TOPPER glanced inyoluntarily toward the
screen, and thought that II quiVered.
Well?' he questioned.
This chase has lasted long enough. :"
went on the other. I've been a double
eyed idiot not TO end II in this way long
ago; but / hoped. until today. that !
should be able TO slip out OF the silly
mess without notoriety. Now, rather
than have the French police on my back
I've sought you out. TO be frank with
you. as one gentleman can be frank
with another"
You mean you've come to-er-explsin
the mystery" said Christopher. dip
lomaticaily.
There Is no mystery; there never was
any mystery, except what the Daily Re-
corder made. l was an ass-that's all +"
I'm glad to hear that's ALL" retorted
Christopher.
IT suppose you take me for a murder
er? Certainly I've given you a good deal
OF trouble. though I've made myself
more. 1t was amusing at first; indeed.
I'm not sure II wasn't more amusing
than otherwise till met you face to
face last night. and-er-put myself to
seine inconvenience to get out OF your
way, and prevent the world in general
and one woman In particular from
knowing me as an ass. I'm quite aware