The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1917-08-13

but flanagan had eyes for but the
one couple.
who are you? And may ask
you not to speak so loudly?" Miss
Allison's manner was imperative.
Il am Mr.. flanagan, OF the En-
quirer," replied flanagan.
Miss Allison turned quickly to
him. "Oh. please, Mr.. flanagan, do
not make a terrible item of thisl
1t is bad enough without the pub
licity."
Il am afraid that cannot be
helped" replied flanagan, serious
ly. with the police activity in
all parts of the hotel now, 1t is
safe to say that every paper in
San Francisco knows your neck
lace has disappeared. Newspapers
are very frequently powerful
agencies in thefts of this sort. The
world at large will be on the look
out for the pearls"
Possibly you are right" she
said, with candid decision. eve
discovered my loss just after we
left the refreshment pavilion"
flanagan questioned her at
length, but one eye was always
on the trumpeters and the other
on the couple just retiring from
the floor, the lancers ended. The
couple walked near the settee
where the three were sitting and
sat down.
The silver trumpets were eleva-
ted and Lanagan's glance darted
to the quiet couple seated near;
the fanfare pealed, thrice repeat
ed, and every dancer arose and
every mask was lifted and raised
on high in salute and one thou
sand faces turned to the dais
where the King and Queen of the
Mardi Gras bowed in gracious
acknowledgment to the tribute of
the jewellers. Lanagan's eyes.
sparkling with his concentration,
dimmed in doubt and disappoint-
ment as Louis XIV and Musette
turned, noticing Miss Allison and
Masters, and walked over, I'M
masked, to her.
Louis the Fourteenth was Ray
mond Winkeppener, society beau,
and the charming Musette who
chung to his arm was Miss Ysobel
Cadogan, to whom he had of late
been so very devoted that there
were rumors of an engagement.
"Your necklace - the pearl
ii 81 nvhA xnnrdQ
were .gasped by Miss Cadogan.
"ImpossibIel In all this crowd?
It must be mislaid!" Winkeppner
her startled condol-
ence by this fervent observation.
Miss Allison, the narrative pieced
out by the eager Masters, was be-
ginning to recite the details when
Douglas reappeared.
"Please come to my office" he
said.
Let us go! Do let us go, Con-
stance!" Miss Cadogan was Of the
gushing, assertive type. Douglas
made no objection and all four
hurried to his office. flanagan
was not included in the invita-
ton, but he trailed along, never
Lheless. In Douglas office Night
Captain of Detectives Royan sat
ponderously and with him was
keen-eyed gray-bearded man, with
IN air of assurance and authority. |
"Chief of Police Leslie" said
Douglas. briefly, by way of intro
iuction. Leslie, most brilliant
chief of his time, trusted himself
above any of his men and took the
field in person at any hour Of the
day or night when mysteries OF
were presented. He
began speaking without waiting
Tor further formalities.
did any one iostle you, Miss
he asked, Gin a par
ticularly noticeable manner"
She started and glanced frank
Iy at winkeppner. Why" she
began. Winkeppner stepped for
ward.
4 can perhaps answer that
question better, SIR" he said, will
ingly. at just comes back to me
now, as it evidently has to Miss
Allison, that as she was leaving
the refreshment pavilion my boot
buckle caught in her gown and we
were some seconds getting 1t un-
You remember that now.
do you not Sterrett? You were
with her.
Eyes, I recalled Il, but I did
not think If was worth mention
ing" answered Masters. at could
have had no bearing"
Winkeppner's eyes darkened.
'It could have had no bearing!"
he repeated in sudden anger. "Of
course 1t could have had no bear
ing! What do you mean to in
He had taken a quick
step forward. Neither Leslie nor
flanagan made a motion. Skilled
detectives both, they began each
,ase with a suspicion against all
persons connected with the parties
N a crime. In police investigations
things of importance may be-
learned from such outbursts as
his. Miss Allison stepped between
the men. Masters in turn had
wheeled around in anger. Miss
Cadogan held Winkeppner's arm.
Gentlemen Gentlemen" cried
Miss Allison. "Shame on you!"
But Winkeppner's eyes were
you had better insinu-
lte against yourself before you in
sinuate against me-you fortune
lunter!"
Miss Allison's eyes now flashed |
in turn. Masters was popularity