Evening star., 1918-10-06

voice at the other end TO which he made
obeisance
ut is Miss Van Teyl who speaks? l
am Mr.. Van Teyrs valet. Mr.. Van Teyi
is here now and wihb glad If you Will
come in"
He replaced the receiver. listened and
waited. In few moments there was
the sound OF light footstep outside.
The door was opened and Pamela enter
ed. She was still wearing the gray
tailor-made costume in which she had
left the steamer.
why. where is Mr.. Van Teyl?" she
asked. looking around the room. II
have been ringing up for the last ten
minutes and couldn't get any answer. l
did not realize that it was the next
suite.''
"NTr. Van Teyl is close at hand.
madam" Nkasti replied. "If you will
kindly be seated, will fetch him."
How long have you been valet here?"
Pamela asked curiously.
"For few hours only, madam" was
the grave reply. ''If you will be so good
as to wait"
He bowed low and left the room.
Pamela took up ain evening paper and
for few minutes buried herself in it's
contents Then suddenly she held it
away from her and listened. A queer
and unaccountable impulse inspired her
with a certain mistrust. There was no
sound of movement in the adjoining
bedchamber, nor any sign of her broth
er's presence. She opened the door and
peered in. 1t was empty in darkness.
Then, moved by that same unaccount-
listened at the door which led into her
own suite, and which she perceived was
bolted on this side as well as her own.
She listened at first idly, afterward
br eathlessly. In few moments she was
convinced that her senses were not play
H.. Z. f-l ,t,,~-
stealthily about in her room, the key to
which was even at that moment in her
hand. She hastened to the door, to be
confronted by another surprise. The
handle turned, but the door refused to
open. She was locked in.
Pamela was both generous and insist
ent in the matter Of BELLS She found four
and she rang them all together. The con-
sequences were speedy, and in their way
satisfactory. Nikasti himself, a breath
less chambermaid, hurt but dignified
waiter and the floor valet, who had not
together They seemed a little stupeied
at finding Pamela alone and no sign Of
any disturbance.
'Why was l locked in here?" Pamela
demanded indignantly, taking them en-
bloc.
There was a little chorus of non-com-
prehension. Nikast stepped forward.
waved to the others to be silent, and
bowed almost to the ground
at was mistake easily to be under
stood, MADAME he explained. 1.-THE
handle is little Stiff. perhaps, but the
here together i myself barely a yard in
advance. No key, was used-and be-
hold!"
Pamela was disposed to argue, but a
moments reflection induced her to
change her mind. This falsehood Of
CT a 1aa of intpraSfinr n She
waved the hotel servants away.
II am sorry to have troubled you,"
she said. II will remember it when
pay my BILL"
ing them out When the last had de-
parted he turned back to the center
table, from the other side of which
Pamela was watching him curiously. :,
~ cannot imagine she remarked,
chow I could have made such mistake
three times and it certainly seemed to
me to be locked
Nikasti moved a step nearer toward
her Something Of the servility of his
manner had gone. For the first time
she looked at him closely. appreciated
the tense imtnobility Of his features. the
still penetrating light Of his cold eyes.
A queer premOnition OF trouble Tor
moment unsteadied her.
There was no mistake" he said
softly. 1.-THE door was locked.
Even then she did not fully under
stand the position. She leaned little
toward him.
"It was locked?" she repeated.
II locked It," he told her. at is lock-
ed now, securely. l have been searching
in your room for something which did
not find. l think that you had better
give it to me. 1t will save trouble"
Are you made she demanded
breathlessly.
"Do 1 seem so?" he replied. There is
no person more sane than |. / require
from you the formula of the new explo-
sive which you stole in Henrys restau-
rant eleven days ago"
The sense of mystery passed. 1t was
simply trouble of the ordinary sort from
an unexpected source.
Dear me-" she murmured. EVERY
one seems interested in my little adven-
ture. How did you hear about IT."
II destroyed the cable telling me Of all
that happened only few minutes ago"
lie explained. "It was tie foolish talk
OF the young inventor which gave his
secret to the world to scramble for"
ut was very clever Of your inform
ant" she remarked, "to suggest that 1
was the fortunate thief. Why not Oscar
Fischer? 1t was his plot, not mine."
ed suddenly to narrow He realized
quite we'll that she was talking simply
to gain time.
MADAM" he insisted, 1.-The formula.
1t is for my country. and for my
country l would risk much"
II do not doubt it," she replied; "but
If hold 1t, hold it, for my country.
too, and there is nothing you would
risk for Japan from which l should