Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1917-06-02

hotel. If Huroki's planning an eva
sion, he evidently means to leave DE
Lima to shift for himself. .
Here are the warrants" Rylcy pur-
sued, delivering the papers, 'and here's
n note that came for YOU just as 7
stopped Mt the house To ask Anne
where to find you. Thought perhaps
I'd better bring ii along"
THANK YOU"
Donald opened the note. Written In
Rodney's unsteady hand, it read as fol
lows:
Dear Don:
I'm frightfuliy sorry I was such an ass.
/ ought to have known better. But I'm
so broken up about Patria and everything I
couldn't see straight. AS soon as I get over
this katzenjammer. I'm going to ask her
20 forgive me. For the present. ! must
ask you not only to overlook my boorish-
ness but to help me out OF a bad scrape
I'm in.
It's a woman. and II isn't my fault. Tn
In wrong-that's all. Only it'll get me in
bad all round IL 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,
Rodney.
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, its urgency
complicated matters a trife.
Summoning the waiter, he settled his
account.
"Please take Miss Claiming back to
ny rooms" he requested Ryley. "Then
20 on to Huroki's. I'll join you there
n the course Of half an hour or so.
Don't do anything pending my ar
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 a
room on the fifth floor. His knock was
answered by a handsome creature Of
some thirty animated years, n woman
whose complete sclf-possession and al
Turing negligee assorted well with the
Implications latent In Rodney's note.
Captain Parrf'
Her tones were as professionally
iulcet as her smile was worldlywise.
Donald bowed coolly.
Il am looking for Mr.. Wrenn."
"He Is expecting you. Won't You
please come in?'
Donald entered. The woman closed
he door and paused ~momentarily with
zach to IL. He swung around sharply,
suspecting that she had turned the key
and withdrawn it-for the first time
s~uspecting that Rodney's note might
have been a forgery.
where is Mr.. Wrenn?" he de
manded.
"He was called away Unexpectedly.
but will he back at any men
Please sit down.
Thank you-no.'
Donald moved quickly to the door.
The woman sought 10 interpose herself
between him and IL. but he was too
quick. A twist Of the handle confirmed
his surmise; he was locked in with this
dangerous animal.
Il good enough he said ~brusquely,
"to open without delay"
But surely YOU can wait"
II have no time TO waste. Do as
/ say
"Am so repulsive. then?"
He shrugged impatiently. "Tm In
no mood for nonsense. Open that
door,
Put listen tn me . :"
She came closer. with a sudden 1.-THE
movement threw herself upon him,
arms clasping his neck.
You're right, IL is a plant. dearie.
Mr.. Wrenn isn't here-won't be. I
sen you that note because I'm mad
about you-wanted to get you here"
"Oh-rotr" Donald calculated in dis
gust; and breaking her hold, threw her
from him. "ITl give you one minute TO
unlock that door,"
For m answer he received a mock
Ing laugh.
do you hcar?" he asked.
She laughed again. Impatiently he
turned from her and looked round the
room for something 10 aid him 10 break
open the door. A stand OF firc-irons
near the chimney-piece offered n sub
stantial brass poker. Selling this. he
made for the door. Behind his back.
the woman seized the telephone and
screamed into the tranSmitter.
Help. Helpl A strange man has
me locked In here!'
BY the time she had said that much.
Donald had wrestcd the instrument
from her.
She relinquished II without much re-
s%istnnce. then darling beyond his reach.
paused and again laughed in his face
while hurriedly d~iSordcring her hair
and attire In such manner as TO indi-
cate n struggle.
This time Donald answered her
laugh with n quiet smile.
Well he said. dropping the poker.
you've got me-Mrs. Maynei'
That was a shot at random. suggest
cd by sndden suspicion; but ii told.
The woman's hands fell limp; she
stared and gasped.
"How did you knowf"