The Arvada enterprise., 1917-09-13


Here are the warrants" Ryley pur-
sued, delivering the papers, land here's
q note that came for you just as l
stopped at the house to ask Anne
where to find you. Thought perhaps
I'd better bring 1t along"
'Thank you"
With word Of apology to Patria.
Donald opened the note. Written In
Rodney's unsteady hand, 1t read Is fol-
lows:
Dear Don:
I'm frightfully sorry was such an ass.
ought to have known better. But I'm
20 broken up about Patria and everything I
couldn't see straight. AZ soon ~ get over
this katxenjammer. I'm going to ask her
to forgive me- For the present. must
ness but to help me out Of bad scrape
I'm In.
It's q woman. and It isn't my fault I'm
In wrong-that's all. Only It'll get mo In
bad all round II anything gets Into the
papers. Please don't say anything to
anybody-just come secretly to this i'd
dress A. soon ~ you can.
Respectfully yours.
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 triae.
SummonIng the waiter, he settled his
account.
"Please take Miss Charming back to
my rooms" he requested Ryley. '.Then
go ON to Huroki's. I'll Join you there
in the course Of half an hour or SO.
Don't do anything pending my ar
rival.
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 handsome creature Of
some thirty animated years, a woman
whose complete self-possession and al
Turing negligee assorted well with the
implications latent in Rodney's note.
captain Parr7"
Her tones were as professionally
dulcet as her smile was worldlywise.
Donald bowed coolly.
II am looking for Mr.. Wrenn."
HE is expecting you. Won't you
please come in7'
Donald entered. The woman closed
the door and paused momentarily with
back to it. He swung around sharply,
suspecting that she had turned the key
and withdrawn it-for the first time
suspecting that Rodney's note might
have been forgery.
"Where IL Mr.. WrennT he de-
manded.
HE was called away Unexpectedly,
but will be back at any moment.
Please sit down."
''Thank you-no."
Donald moved quickly to the door.
The woman sought to interpose herself
between him and 1t, but he was too
quick. A twist of the handle confirmed
his surmise he was locked In with this
dangerous animal.
"Ise good enough" he said brusquely.
ito open without delay"
"But surely you can walt"
II have no time to waste. Do ~
I say!"
"Am I 80 repulsive, thenf"
He shrugged impatiently. "rm in
no mood for nonsense. Open that
door!"
But listen to me :"
She came closer. with sudden 1.-THE
movement threw herself upon him,
arms clasping his neck.
you're right. 1t IL q plant, dearie.
Mr.. Wrenn isn't here-won't be.
sent you that note because I'm mad
about you-wanted to get you here
"Oh-rot!" Donald calculated In dis
gust and breaking her hold, threw her
from him. "Tll give you one minute to
unlock that door!"
For an answer he received q mock.
Ing laugh.
do you hearf" he asked.
She laughed again. Impatiently he
turned from her and looked round the
room for something to aid him to break
open the door. A stand Of hre-irona
near the chimney.piece offered Q sub.
stantial brass poker. Seixing 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
ma 1ockaA In haya IN
By the time abe had said that much,
Donald had wrested the instrument
from her.
She relinquished It without much ~
sistancs. then darling beyond his reach,
paused and again laughed In his face
while hurricdly disordering her hair
and attire 10 such manner a. to indi.
cate struggle.
This time Donald answered hss
laugh with quiet smile.
"Well," he said. dropping the poker
you've got me-Nrs. Magnet"
That was . shot at random. suggest.
ed by sudden suspicion; but It told
The woman's hands fell limp; che
| sa~