The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1917-08-15

with change OF bearing as he ad-
dressed Masters. I'VE won't need
any of you longer just now. You
may return to the floor. You are
living here, are you not, Miss AL
lison?"
Il am" she replied.
please do not leave the hotel,
then" replied the Chief. Il may
want you at any time"
81 wish also that you would
please remain here until | can To-
cate my father. He Is somewhere
about" she said, as she took
Masters arm and the quartet left
the room to run fairly into the
arms of an eager gathering of
newspaper reporters outside. But
to Winkeppners credit, he said
nothing of the scene within; of
the quarrel or the finding of the
pearl on Masters.
1t was nearing 1 o'clock. Doug
las had left the room. Leslie
stared at flanagan, indolently
blowing smoke rings toward the
ceiling.
"Well?" asked Leslie.
well, what?"
What do you make Of them?"
What? These moke-ring s ?
Perfect, aren't they?" flanagan
laughed lazily. oh, they're only
evidences of a misspent youth.
But actually, Chief, think your
losing your grip"
flanagan arose, still in that in
dolent manner, and laughed again
slowly and easily.
"All right, Mr.. flanagan" said
Leslie, testify, arising in turn.
But how do you account for the
pair of pearls?"
81 haven't the faintest inten-
ton of accounting for them just
now-at least not to you," re-
piled flanagan. when | do &C
count it will be to the Enquirer.
I must get busy. Chief. Many
thanks for permitting me to re-
main while your third degree was
in operation. II l hear Of any,
thing | think you should know
I will be pleased to get in touch
with you"
flanagan idled into the corridor
and. in a moment was lost to view
in the human maelstrom.
He made his way to the tele-
phone booths and again had Samp.
son on the wire. Send someone
down to watch Leslie for develop.
ments and take charge of the
story" he said. I'm off on 9
bunch of my own"
His mind relieved OF immediate
concern for his paper, flanagan
took the elevator and in few
moments was at the Allison apart.
ments. 1t was Miss Allison's maid
who opened the door.
81 would like to speak with
Miss Allison" said flanagan.
''She is not in"
I'm sorry; 1t is very import.
ant"
us there anything can do?
am also sorry" She had just a lii
of a French accent and more than
CLEAN of French roguery in her
eyes.
Possibly you can tell me; when
will she come from the ball?
have tried to locate her there"
Who can say? The beautiful
mistress! With so many admirers!
Isn't it the splendid dancer"
you have been down." Lana
gan's tone was chumminess itself.
"Oh, yes, for time. And your
II was not dancing. / am a news.
paper man."
"Oh! A journalist? / see! And
what is 1t you want with Miss Con.
stance? No deeficulty?"
why should you think that?'
asked flanagan.
"oh," she replied, Struggling
her shoulders. at is the only
time you journalists ever come =
making trouble"
81 am writing an article about
Miss Allison's necklace. Maybe
you can describe 1t? How many
pears? One hundred and ten
counted tonight! Such splendid
beautiful ones!"
rs each one fastened separated,
to the gold string?"
''0h, assuredly. I tried them
Each one is separator"
You knew it was stolen-di,
your"
stolen! Stolen! stolen!" He