The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1917-08-20
SsThe Allison Pearls"
BY Edward H. Hurlbut
Copyright, Paget Newspaper Service.

Jullet gown and cap and DOd1ce
and a domino. There was nothing
else in the suit case. She stared
for a moment. The young man
turned paler than the habitual sal
low of his face.
Where are those pearlsY" she
asked. She was subtlely suggestive
in her words and bearing of a hiss
ing snake, ready to strike. But all
the pallid young man could say
was, muttered with tiresome repe-
tition:
my God-my GodI After all
our chances! They're gonel"
YES" she said. They're evil
IDENTIFY gone. And you stole them.
You are double crossing us. I've
a notion to slit your windpipe for
you before you leave this room!"
She examined the lock.
Forced" she said to herself. 81
guess maybe the kid is In the clear
at that. He looks it. Sit down."
she said peremptorily.
There came a rap at the door.
The woman stiffened. Then her
hand slipped down to a concealed
pocket in her skirt and she drew
forth a small but businesslike au-
tomato. The pallid youth had
quickly slipped from his pocket a
derringer. One, having read the
vague rumors of a band of "high
class Eastern crooks out in San
Francisco to make a cleanup at
the Allison ball, might suspect
that these two were in some fash
ion connected with such rumors.
AS. indeed, they were.
The woman stepped to the door,
as the rappings came again. She
opened 1t with her left hand. Her
right hand was by her side, the
ugly little revolver held without a
tremor. For all his quaking the lad
was not without quickness, for he
swung his chair around SO that the
revolver, held in his right hand,
was under his left elbow, but COW
ering the door. She glanced at
him, saw that he was ready, and
then, as the rapping came a third
time, she suddenly swung the door
wide open.
Then she laughed and so did the
pallid youth, a trifle nervously. A
little girl stood without.
"My mamma wants to know II
she can borrow your carpet sweep
err" lisped the little girl.
The woman leaned swiftly down
and kissed her.
BLESS your little heart, dearie, "
she laughed, 1--WE haven't a carpet
sweeper to our Names"
ooh, thank you," said the little
miss, and turned and walked pre-
cisely back to a half opened door
some distance down the corridor
You think it's a cinch the dicks
have the string?" asked Diokie.
What IL 1t now? That thine
box of yours is the best thing you
have, because your nerve Is nil
What is It now?"
Because, If 1t was the dicks
that had taken that string of pearls
from the grip" replied the pallid
youth, wisely, they would have
pinched me the minute I called
for it. That's why"
She sprang to her feet Fright.
You are right" she cried eagerly.
Some Of those bellhops or bag
gage room birds dug into that
grip! You're right, Dickie! Even
If It was dicks following you,
maybe they were simply looking
over all the transients and will
drop US. Dickie." she sat down
beside him. "Dickie, it's up to
you. You think that girl Is really
COPIED on your"
Sure" said Dickie, indiffer-
emily.
You think she suspects any
thing?"
Mike; not; nothing"
VERY we'll, then, Dickie boy,
you'll have to find out II those
pearls have been secretly returned
but don't think So Well send
this grip back to the hotel by mes
senger, but minus the regalia
which you can take out to the
beach and bury"
IL was about the same time OF
the evening that Masters climbed
into bed in a room in a downtown
bachelor hotel. Before doing so he
tied a bandage around his jaws
Beside the bed was a drop push
button, which he pressed. Fine
situation for Mr.. Sterrett Masters
to be in" he grumbled again.
playing sick in a hotel within
five minutes walk of Constance
and every paper in town and every
detective scouting around to try
and locate me-"
A rap came. Masters huddled
under the covers. Come in" he
called out weakly. A bellboy en-
tered.
Eyes, sir, Mr.. Flanders, what
can | do for your"
Grab salad, consomme, porter
house, potatoes gratin quart Bud
and" he stopped suddenly. He
was supposed to be a sick man, &C.
cupying the apartment of a friend,
a regular guest Of the hotel. ooh,
cut that order out" he said
peevishly, I'm ordering what I'd
like to eaat, but OF course II don't
go. Bring me some milk toast and
pot of tea"
The boy withdrew and Masters
threw off the covers and the band
age.
Another knock came and he hur-
roedly put on his bandage and