Gilpin observer., 1917-10-11

AND DE L1maV
"At last accounts, still abed in his
hotel. II Huroki's planning an eva
sion, he evidently means to leave De
Lima to shift for himself. I.
Here are the warrants" Ryley pur-
sued, delivering the papers, "and here's
a note that came for you just as
stopped at the house to ask Anne
where to find you. Thought perhaps
I'd better bring 1t along"
'Thank you."
With word of apology to Patria,
Donald opened the note. Written in
Rodney's unsteady hand, it read as fol-
lows:
Dear Don:
I'm frightfully sorry was such an ass.
ought to have known better. But I'm
SO broken up about Patria and everything
couldn't see straight. AS soon as get over
this katzenjammer, I'm going to ask her
to forgive me. For the present. I must
ask you not only to overlook my boorish-
ness but to help me out Of a bad scrape
I'm in.
It's woman, and 1t isn't my fault I'm
in wrong-thats all. Only it'll get me in
bad all round If anything gets into the
papers. Please don't say anything to
anybody-just come secretly to this ad-
dress as soon as you can.
Respectfully yours,
The address was written below the
signature: "Hotel Baltimore. Ask for
me by my name."
Thoughtfully, Donald refolded and
pocketed the note. He was fond of
Rodney, and could not refuse the boys
request. At the same time, it's urgency
complicated matters a trifie.
Summoning the waiter, he settled his
account.
"Please take Miss Charming back to
my rooms," he requested Ryley. "Then
go on to Huroki's. I'll join you there
in the course Of half an hour or so.
Don't do anything pending my ar
rival.
The Baltimore was well-known to
Donald by unsavory repute.
A sardonic clerk delivered Captain
Parr to the guidance of a cynic bell
boy, who left him at the door of
room on the fifth floor. His knock was
answered by handsome creature Of
some thirty animated years, a woman
whose complete self-possession and al
Turing negligee assorted well with the
implications latent in Rodney's note.
"Captain Parr?"
Her tones were as professionally
dulcet as her smile was worldlywise.
Donald bowed coolly.
II am looking for Mr.. Wrenn."
HE is expecting you. Won't you
please come in?"
Donald entered. The woman closed
the door and paused momentarily with
back to it. He swung around sharply,
suspecting that she had turned the key
and withdrawn it-for the first time
suspecting that Rodney's note might
have been forgery.
"Where is Mr.. Wrenn?" he de-
manded.
"He was called away unexpectedly,
but will be back at any moment.
Please sit down."
'Thank yOu-no."
Donald moved quickly to the door.
The woman sought to interpose herself
between him and it, but he was too
quick. A twist Of the handle confirmed
dangerous animal.
"Be good enough" he said brusquely,
"to open without delay"
But surely you can wait"
Il have no time to waste. Do as
I sayw
cam so repulsive, then?"
He shrugged impatiently. "Tm in
door,"
"But listen to me
She came closer, with sudden 1.-the
movement threw herself upon him,
arms clasping his neck.
you're right, it is plant, dearie.
Mr.. Wrenn isn't here-won't be.
sent you that note because I'm mad
about you-wanted to get you here"
"Oh-rotw Donald calculated in dis
gust; and breaking her hold, threw her
from him. "I'll give you one minute to
unlock that doorl"
For an answer he received q mock.
ing laugh.
do you hear?" he asked.
She laughed again. Impatiently he
turned from her and looked round the
room for something to aid him to break
open the door. A stand Of fire-irons
near the chimney-piece. offered a SUBJ
stantial brass poker. Selling this, he
made for the door. Behind his back,
the woman seized the telephone and
screamed into the transmitter.
"Help! Help! A strange man has
me locked in herel'
BY the time she had said that much,
Donald had wrested the instrument
from her.
She rellnquished it without much re-
sistance, then darting beyond his reach,
paused and again laughed. in his face
while hurriedly dlsordering her hair
and attire in such manner as to indi-
cate a struggle.