Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-30

Alma HilIman come out of the mani
cure shop. and before any one else
could get in to mopopoliZe the fasci-
mating little manicure ! saw Craig
saunter over and enter.
I was so interested in what he was
doing that for the moment l forgot
about my call and found myself uncon-
scious1y moving over in that direction.
too. AS looked in I saw that he was
seated at the little white table, in much
the same position as MarIowe had been.
deeply in conversation with the girl.
Once she turned to reach something on
a shelf back Of her. Quick as a flash
Kennedy distracted a couple of the
Ale and the other a brush. A moment
later she resumed her work, Kennedy
still talking and joking with hr.
Just then Gavira passed on his way
to his Office in the front of the build
ing, saw me and smiled.
Kennedy cut you out" he laughed
catching a glimpse through the door.
Never mind ] used to think / had
some influence there myself. till the
captain came along. tell you, these
oldsters can give US points"
Yes" l agreed, as long as he had
opened the subject. II fancy the cap
tain likes young people. He seems to
enjoy being with them-Miss Hillman,
for instance"
The Belleelafre il a dangerous place
for wealthy widower," he returned.
Il had some hopes in that direction
myself. but the captain seems to leave
us all at the post
The impression I got of Gavira was
that he enjoyed his freedom too much
ever to fall in love, though an Intimacy
now and then with clever girl like
Alma HiIlman was a welcome diversion.
I'm sorry shall not be able to be
as he paused at his Office door. "I'm
in the medical corps Of the guard, and
l promised to lecture tonight on gun
shot wounds. Some of my material got
smashed UP. I'll try to see you later.
though.
Whatever was the matter. central
seemed unable to get me my number.
Instead. found myself cutting right
into conversation that did not con-
Germ me. l was about to protest when
the words ] heard stopped me In sur
prise. A man and woman We're talk
ing. though I could not recognize the
voices and no names were used.
Then you're going to desert us:'
came back the womans voice, rather
tartly. It's for that girl. Well, you'll
regret it. I'll turn the whole organiza-
ton on you'll wiii--you-you---"T The
voices traifed off.
Kennedy had finished with the mani
cure some time before, and was wait
ing for me impatientiy.
Il haven't been able to get MarloWe,"
! FASTENED, but I've had earfuI" He
had heard, adding also the account OF
my encounter with Gavira
IT'S just as | thought, I'll wager" he
muttered excitediy
We'll. Anything new? I expected to
hear from you, but haven't" doomed
the deep voice of Marlowe, who had just
come in. No clue yet to my crank?"
Without word Kennedy drew Mar
lowe aside into little deserted aIcove
Alone, Craig leaned over toward him
IT'S no crank" he whispered in a low
tone. Marlowe, ! am convinced tina,
there is concerted effort to destroy
your plans for American commerce
building. There isn't the slightest doubt
in my mind that it is more Serious than
YOU thfnk-perhaps powerful group
OF European steamship men opposed to
you. IL Is economic war, You know
they have threatened it at meetings re-
ported In the press all along Well it's
here"
Half doubling. half convinced, Mar
lowe drew back. One after another he
shot<a rapid fire of questions. Who then
was their agent who had fired the shot :?
Who was 1t who had deserted, as i had
heard over the wire? Above all, what
ing?
Late as it was to start out of town,
craig drove across the bridge and OUT
on Long Island. never stopping until we
of which he skirted. at last pausing
before huge barnlike structure Az
the door swung open to his honkine,
horn. the light which streamed forth
sbone on sign above, "Sprague Avia-
ton school Inside I could make out
enough to be sure that 1t was an aero
plane hangar Craig had jumped from
the car and greeted Sprague, and to-
gether the two went into the hangar,
They talked In low tones, but l could
make out Kennedy was hiring an
hydro-aeroplane for tomorrow, with az
much nonchalance as II it had been a,
taxicab.
AS Kennedy and Sprague came to