The Washington herald., 1916-07-02

",
In the hall were standing man and woman
che former especially noticeable because of the
costume of East Indian which he wore, and
the tan on his face, suggesting a recent return
from the tropics. His companion quite OBJ
yiousIy a woman Of wealth and refinement. Her
gown bore all the signs of the expensive sim
plicity of fashionable designer. Just now her
face was unnaturally white, and she was staring
at her escort with wide eyes.
The East Indian stepped closer to her, and
passed his hand swiftly before her eyes with the
gesture of q professional conjuror. The woman
stifened, her breast heaying, her hands clenched.
The 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 compan-
ions were gathered about her shoulders. They,
too had witnessed the strange tabeau.
Can you beat it?" gasped Rodney Grant, the
young newspaper reporter, who, in company with
Casper Carson, the millionaire philsnthropist and
social worker, had been calling the girls. "Was
the woman really hypnotized?
Carson frowned, he stepped back into the
lving-room. 81 don't like the looks Of IT," he said
soberly. There something about that little
scene which" He stopped, hesitating for a
word, and Mary, motioning the others back,
stepped softly across the hall until she was just
opposite the door. Kneeling down, she peered
through the key-hol9. She saw the Hindoo mako
more passes in front of the woman, and then,
under the domin nation of his stronger will, the
woman handed him a paper. Then the curious
couple left the apartment. A moment later Mary,
with 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 combination" said Grant.
1T Is q combination, stupid " returned Mary.
And that Is why the Hindoo wanted it. The
poor woman Is evidently completely in his power,
and probably obeyfng orders when she came
here with him tonight"
Carson nodded thoughttully. "T am going to
do some Investigating he decided. First, am
going to see what the jsnitor oAn tell me about
ur curious friend
The janitor was quite ready TO talk when Car
son showed him fre-dollar BIN, but he could
supply little information except the fact that the
occupant Of the apartment Hindoo, who
gave the name Of Hsdj Rulu. and that he had quite
large number OF visitors, most Of whom were
we'll dressed ladies, who came In private auto
mobiles. AS for the rest OF ii, the man kept only
one servant, Q Hindoo like himself paid his rent
promptly, and had little TO say to any one
As It developed, it quite much coin
cidence skill that Mary and Mona ohanced on
the next clue to the case. They were passing
fashionable hsir-dressing establishment q shop
ping tour the next afternoon when Q woman
emerged from the doorway, and crossed the walk
tust ahead Of them It WAS mono other than Mrs.
Wallace.
Mary and Mona watched her step into q
private limousine and drive away.
whatever in the world is tho mstterp' cried
Mona as Mary suddenly seized her arm
81 have thought Of a way to reach the heart
Of my mystery" was tho quick response. 81
going to can on Mrs. Wallace this afternoon, and
see If she doesn't want to hire my professional
services am going 70 be hair-dresser and
msnicuriss," explained Mary, -one Who spe,ializes
in giving home treatments to wealthy clients"
Two hours later, Mary rang the bell at The
Wallace home, and explained the nature of her
errand to Mrs. Wallace, who agreed 10 haye her
begin treatment the next day.
Mary was rising when maid entered and
announced, "Mr. Hadj Rulu." Evidently the maid
unfamiliar with the Hindoo's native prefix.
and II was apparent also that she was in
II not fear of the visitor. At once Mrs, Wal
laces gay manner vanished She fell back IN
her chair, gripping her fingers convulsively, her
face whitening. With effort she reused herself,
and followed the maid, apparently forgetting
Asrys presence entirely The girl glided behind
chair until Mrs. Wallace had reached the stairs,
and then followed
Mrs. Wallace entered the library where the
man was awaiting her. Mary hesitaeed, and then
observing that was in the lower hall, fol-
lowed bodily after her until she reached a point
outside the library door, where she could observe
what transpired IN the room beyond The Hndoo
had risen from his chair, and was bowing over
Mrs. Wallace's hand. He Strengthened gracefully,
and fixed his dark eyes In piercing glance
her face. Mary the woman beginning to stiff
fen as she had done the previous night and then
the Hindoo repeated the mysterious passes which
he had made before across her eyes. 1t required
only moment for the efects Of the mesmeric
spell to show. Mrs. Wsllaces stiffness increased
and her ewes dilated.
The Hindoo stepped back and from his pocket
produced the curious slip of paper which the
He read aloud the combination II contained, and
pointed to the farther end Of the room, where
Mary could see small private safe.
You will open that" he commanded in a low,
penetrating tone.
Unhesitatingly Mrs. Wallace obeyed, crossing
the room like person in trance, and twirling
the knob at the Hindoo's suggestion. When the
door swung open, the Hindoo peered her
shoulder.
You will bring what you see before
you" he directed. Again Mrs, Wallace followed
his orders without hesitation and handed him
package of bills.
Ten thousand dollars" said the Hindoo. you
have done well, my high priestess"
Msry's eyes widened. This was too easyi
She would have fingered at her post but she
dared not risk discovery. With final glance at
the two figures In the library, she made her way
to the front door, and TO tho street. The situs-
tion progressing With a vengeanoeI With q
smile Of elstion at the thought Of the startling
story she would have for Carson and Grant that
night she hurried back to the Royalson, where
Mona was eagerly swaising her return,
NA&S<y1Nn nTT7TT1Tvx.T'Ts