Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-11-17
THE PAWNS COUNT

chichester was listening intently.
There was a prolonged pause.
"Well?" he asked, at last. ...
She glanced at the little Yale key
which hung from her bracelet
Nothing! ! was just wondering
the night without opening the safe"
But surely your uncle didn't give
you the key!".
She shook her head.
II don't suppose he knows 1 have
such a thing" she replied. HE has
which he uses. This is one the house,
keeper gave me as soon as arrived"
Lutchester looked out into the dark
ness.
house-the next one to this?'
That's the old Hastings house."
she assented. 'They are all family
mansions along here"
1T looks an easy place to burgle,"
he remarked.
She laughed quietly.
.nd s1Gald think .rh !. would s1s ss
quantity Of downstair windows.
We don't have burglaries in WASH
ington; thou u,: not this
A little bevy Of young people had
Lutchester waited until they had
passed out of earshot before he spoke
again.
II have reason to believe" he con-
tinued, that in the course of their
with your uncle a certain autograph
letter, of which we have already
spoken, making. definite proposals to-
America IL she will change her atti-
tude on the neutrality question:
1.-THE writtenl words" Pamela MUIR
INJURED.
Lutchaster's hand suddenly closed
upon her wrist. She was surprised to
find find, his fingers gers; SO cold. yet marvel
you are going to lose that key and
quietly. II am sorry-but you must"
IT am going, to do nothing Of the
sort" Pamela objected. 10
His fingers remained like cold wise
upon her wrist. She made no effort
). Listen" he said, do you believe
that the neutrality-suspicious. party
is going to be the best thing that
could happen for American"
: ~ certainly do not" she admitted.
Then do as I beg. Let. me take
shall have no other responsibility"
it?n :,
answered. y will tell you as much as
! can. I stopped Nikasti sailing for
Japan. but l made mortal enemy
of him at the same time He has
come to Washington to consult with
his ambassador. They are together
tonight. 1t is my mission to con-
II see. . And you think that
these written words-?'
,. "Give the key to me-" he begged,
and ask no questions"
She shook her head.
noct, sno ~ d,. object most strongly to
1t seemed to her that his frame had
become tenser. his tone harder. The
wrist.
a., Even I've. your objections" he said.
biiity Of their advent"
Don't be silly" she answered, land;
above all. don't try to threaten me.
II you want my help
She looked steadfastly across at the
looming outline of the Hastings
II do want, your helm" he assured
her.
letter for?"
"One hour" he replied.
She led him down some steps on to
the smooth lawns which encircled the
house. They passed in and out Of
some gigantic shrubs until at last
they came to paling. She felt along
1t Tor a few yards.
There is a gate there" she told
him. Can you do anything with lit"
It was fastened by an old lock. He
lifted 1t off its hinges and they both
passed through.
Keep behind the shrubs as much
as you cam" she whispered. There is
q way into the house from the veran-
da here.r
They reached at last the shadow of
the building. She paused.
Wait here for me-" she continued.
II would rather enter the house with
out being seen, IL can, but 1t doesn't
really matter. / can make some ex-
cuse for coming back. Don't move
from where you are"
She glided away from him and dis
appeared. chichester waited, stand
ing we'll back in the shadow of the
shrubs. From the embassy came all
the time the sound Of music occa-
sionally even the murmur Of voices;
from the dark house in front Of him.
nothing. Suddenly he heard what
seemed to be the opening Of q win
appeared round the corner Of the
building, a white, spectral figure
against that background Of deep blue
darkness. She came on tiptoe. run
ming down the steps and holding her
skirts with both hands
Not soul has seen me-" she whiB-
pered. Take this quickly"
She thrust an envelope into his
hands and something hard with it.
That's Uncle Theodore's SEAL" she
explained. "He sealed up the envelope