The Ordway new era., 1917-10-19

| Gue sway Sf10 - p - '- 4
sAnd d Limaf
~At last accounts. .still absd IN be
hotel. II Huroki's planning an sva-
sion. he evidently means to leave D
Lima to shift for himself. .
Here are the warrants" Ryiey pur-
sued. delivering the papers, "and heres
a note that came for you Just 10 !
stoppcd at the house to ask Anne
where to nnd you. Thought perhaps
I'd better bring It along"
'aThank you"
with a word Of apology to Patria.
Donald opened the note. Written in
Rodney's unsteady hand. 1t read a. foi-
lows:
Dear Don:
Tm frightf,,lly sorry was such an ass
I ought to have known better. But I'm
10 broken up about Patria and everything
couldn't see straight. AZ soon as get over
this katxenjammer, I'm going to ask her
TO forgive me. For the present. I must
ask you not only to overlook my boorish-
ness but to help me out OF o1o se'"p0
I'm in.
It's a woman. and It isn't my fault I'm
in wrong-that's all. Only it'll get me In
bad all round II anything gets Into the
Please cont say AHytHiHB ~
anybody-just como secretly to this ad-
dress as soon as you can.
Respectfully yours.
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 trihe.
Summoning the waiter. he settled bis
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
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
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
latent in Rodney's note.
captain Parr?"
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 in?"
Donald entered. The woman closed
the door and paused momentarily with
back to 1t. 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and withdrawn it-for the first time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 a forgery.
"Where Is Mr.. Wrenn7" 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 it, but he was too
quick. A twist Of the handle confirmed
his surmise; he was locked in with this
dangerous animal.
abe good enough" he said brusQuely,
"to open without delay"
"But surely you can wait"
II have no time to waste. Do al
I say!"
"Am so repulsive, them"
He shrugged impatiently. "Tm 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, it Is 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-rotw Donald calculated in dis
gust and breaking her hold, threw hei
from him. "I'll give you one minute t.
unlock that doorl'
For an answer he received a mock
ing laugh.
'Do you heart" he asked.
She laughed again. Impatiently b.
turned from her and looked round tn,
room for something to aid him to breal
open the door. A stand Of fire-ironl
near the chimney-piece offered a sub
stantial brass poker. Seizing this, h,
made for the door. Behind his back
the woman seized the telephone ant
screamed into the transmitter.
"Helpl Helpi A strange man hal
me locked in hereI"
| By the time she had said that much
Donald had wrested the instrumen
from her. II.
Sho ralinn,,is sh al ~ xuJtho,,< ynY,ch y.a