The Washington times., 1918-04-17
The Wolves of New York
A STORY OF LOVE AND MYSTERY
MOncrief Empties His Pockets of Gold
TOEscape the Fancied Pursuer and
Returns to- Lillian Empty Handed

That's bad'-Moncrief gave .
long, low whistle-"for the fact II
I'm in the same plight myself. When
] came here the day before yester-
day IL was to ask you IL you
couldn't see your way to see me
with q temporary loan. OF course.
l said nothing about It when l saw
how matters stood with you, and
suggested the scheme which has
just failed instead. II looks like
a tight corner" Tight corners were
chronic with Moncrief. In spite OF
the large sums in which he ocea-
sionAlly dealt he was always short
OF ready money.
Cant you suggest anything
said Lillian, irritably. Something
more reasonable this time. and
with less possibility OF murder
about It. We can't md PietrO TO
do all our dirty work for US. and.
besides, 1 owe nobody such =
grudge as owed him."
You have jswslry," haIardsd
Moncrief. -
Moved by sentinsnt.
"I hate the idea OF pawninE or
selling my Jewelry." returned the
woman with a frown. There's .
lot OF II which has a sentimental
value for me. I've had to do so
before. but / wasn't happy Till I
got It back. Try and think OF
something else. Not blackmail, il
you cSA help it."
How do you lIve:" asked Mon
Grief. He had often wondered how
this woman had managed TO main
tain her position. Certainly 1t was
strange, with her history. that she
should have SO long been recog-
nized in society. Until her separa-
tion with Hooking he went every
where; after that<'she had volun-
tarily retired. Perhaps she had
realized that il was time to do SO
Lillian smiled slightly. a little
sadly. IT have several sources OF
Income" she said, "but no capital.
Frank spent that for me-and there
was a good deal OF IL once 1t was
not often that Lillian referred TO
her past, but Moncrief knew Frank
willouEhby. so there was nothing
to hide. Sometimes my sources OF
income fail me-" she added. and
that's the case at present"
Moncrief was deep in thought
He certainly did not look at his best
that day. The terrors of the night
had left their impression upon his
usually placid face. and though he
had changed his clothes he did not
look as spruce as was his won't.
He had. however. q large white
carnation in his buttonhole which
was evidently meant to atone for
other deficiencies.
aSI0dIfIed BIaekmaII."
II don't now what to suggest.
except getting money out OF thoss
who are able to afford it," he said
at last. Don't call IL blackmail.
We'll" Lillian sighed again. IF
anything OF that sort has to be
done. let's go for those with whom
Pietro has already opened proceed
ings. I know he hoped to get few
Thousand more before leaving for
Italy.
From whom asked the man.
HE never told me exactly what
happened at the various places he
went to. He brought back money
from all except Mr.. Adean."
"To whom did you send him.
There was Senator Epstone and
M-. wilbraham."
"wilbraham-that's the man.
cried Monerief exultingly. ''Of
course / should be able to get any
thing from him. ! know a lot about
him. and you are aware OF the
source OF my information. Lillian
The woman nodded without speak
ing. She did not know that Pietro
had mentioned Moncriefs name to
Spencer Wilbraham.
Looks Like Easy Money.
What a fool was not 10 have
thought OF him." continued Mon
Grief I'll GO and see him. consult
him about my ankle or something
OF the sort. II he paid up $4,000
so readily TO Pietro. he'll pay more
for what can tell him. YesH-hs
rose from his chair-"that's the
next game. I'll go to Spencer Will
braham instead OF Pietro. I'll let
you know the result, Lillian, and
we'll stand in together.
Lillian made no objection. Why
should sher Then. after talking for
a little while longer. Moncrief took
some documents which Lillian
banded over 10 him, and set out to
visit the surgeon.
1t was unfortunate for the fnan-
cial agent that Pietro had not de-
scribed TO Lillian more fully the
manner OF his reception by Viii
braham and the kind OF man with
whom he had been dealing.
MonCrisf set out in bl;Ssful iE-
norance to meet the very man who
was hunting for him.