The Washington times., 1918-07-06
PM one=(Continuedl

afforded a certain sense of protee-
tpion for she, solitary woman felt
anything but at her ease in this
strange world into which she had
plunged. She glanced at her watch
as she passed the naked gas jets
outside some cheap store, and saw
that It was nearly o'clock. Then,
as she walked. she furtively re-
moved all her jewelry and thrust
10 away into the pocket of her dress.
Luckily, owing to the snow she
was wearing a black macintosh,
which effectively concealed cloth
ing that might be otherwise have
attracted attention Her umbrella,
She had a lively recollection of her
experiences in other slums.
Seek to 1IIslead Her.
So he had led her past the &C
tusl scene of the murder! He had
paused at that particular corner,
rubbing his hands together and
nuttering to himself It was for
that reason that she lad drawn
back into the doorway. He was
walking faster now. and the two
Americans were close behind him
They were still talking of the muir
der.
Il didn't never believe" said the
one who had been addressed as
Ben, that poor Conway Franks
was killed by that pal of his that
the police professed to be huntin'.
heard say. and ] believe it's
true, that they found their man.
and he was able to prove a--what
eye call TIA complete alibL
He'd been with Conway earlier in
the evenin' sellin' things, but he
was back in South street and COM
Portable boozed when the murder
'appened After that he was afraid
20 come forward"
who do you think did II, Chen?"
asked his friend.
why, one OF these foreigners,
Il course" answered Ben. It's
come natural for them to stab a
man in the back. An you may bet
that's the track the police are fol-
lowin' for they amt throwing up
the sponge yet. Look at that chap
on ahead" he said, pointing a
sturdy finger at Won Geldenstein.
The very back of him suggests
yilIsiny. He's just the type for
you.
A Complete MetanorphoHIS.
Thus had the change worked
upon Won Geldenstein, millionaire.
lie VINO had left his office but an
hour or so before. respected and
respectable, now suggested moth
ing TO the mind OF the working
man but a type OF low craft and
viIIainy. And this was due solely
to a Transformation in gait and
mien: probably a return to natural
traits ordinarily avoided by sheer
force OF will. Which was the true
Won Geldenstein?
Little dreaming how near they
had been to the truth, Ben and his
companion caught up and passed
the man. glancing back, as they
did so, with eyes of disapproval
at the cunning. INSCRIPTIONS face.
Then they FASTENED their foot
step, and disappeared into the
nurk Of the dreary night.
Lillian was getting tired. Sup
posing that her quarry should
wander aimlessly thus for hours.
Miss Rachel. too, at home would be
concerned for the simultaneous
disappearance Of her brother and
lIer friend. Yet 81 was impossible
10 send a telegram; she could not
abandon her quest even for a few
mi1utes.
But it seemed now as If Won
C'eIdenstein were walking with
rome purpose. He had quickened
his pace. and stopped less oftener
20 Inutter TO himself or to gaze
into the windows of mean shops.
lie turned off at last from a popu-
lous street into a narrow, dismal
lane. lane OF low houses. Lillian
followed timorously. keeping well
% the middle OF the roadway. He
EIOuche9 along in the shadow OF
the houses.
Toward the end Of the lane there
was another busy thoroughfare;
this was evident from the light
and from the sound OF traffic.
Near the point Of juncture Lillian
noticed a house somewhat taller
than It's neighbors: a gas jet burn
ing. in 4 curtainless window be-
tcEened it a shop. From end to
end Of the alley no other house
vas illuminated. The man passed
into this streak OF light, and the
next moment he had vanished.
Lillian GUickened her pace and
approached the house. The door
stood open and the sound of voices
came from a room behind the Ehop.
Evidently &: was there that Won
Celdenstein had passed. What
was she TO Go next?
Puzzled As To Next MOOve.
The window was flled with a
mass OF heterogeneous objects sug-
gsstive OF a low-clsss pawnShop.
A notice IN iIl-shaped handwriting
informed the world that I'VE pur-
chase articles Of all descriptions,
waTdrobes. musical instruments.
euriOsities. &c"
To such a shop might the sailor
20. anxious TO convert into ready
money cheap brio -a-brac picked up
on his travels: here. too. the police
might suspect the receiver OF
stolen gOods-Lilian noticed-and
noticed with a shudder-that but
tons seemed to constitute a staple
article OF trade. There were but
tons OF all kinds in the window,
from the most pretentious TO the
most humble; from official looking
gold to the pearlies dear TO the
costermonger. Another notice,
higher up in the window, next at
tracted her attention. II read.
Room to Let" Herein she found
sudden inspiration: It provided her
with an excuGe Tor entering the
shop.
within there was little room to
turn. for the small space was
packed with goods OF all sorts. a
Tausty smell offended the nostrils,
and the air was close in spite OF
the coldness OF the night. Lillian
felt oppressed by a sense Of nau-
sea, but she advanced to the count
- ,nd rannad unon 10 With her