The Elk Mountain pilot., 1918-06-27
SECOND EPISODE
The Suspect.


'sWhat's your hurry, my pretty onef
said Sphinx Kelly as the astonished
Pat stopped in her wild rush from the
Cafe Chat Noir.
For an instant Pats faculties were
stunned BY surprise. But her brain
worked quickly and her hand almost
a. quick. She dealt Sphinx resound-
ing slap in the face, and lodging
around him, picked mp her skirts and
ran madly down the narrow street.
Kelly was too surprised to move.
His eyes followed the retreating girl.
and then turning to enter the cafe. he
glanced down At his feet to make sure
OF his step. There was q CLINT Of re-
Aseted light and, STOPPING down. Kelly
picked up the Van Nuys necklace
whsrs Pat had dropped 1t during her
sudden sut, .r,- c :.
The Sphinx poeketed the Jewels and
entered tho cafe. In q moment he re-
appeared, and walked leisurely along
the street In the direction Pat had
taken In her flight. 2.-. 4
Just ahead he saw Q woman's form
dart Into the doorway Of dilapidated
house. Kelly hastened along. and be-
gan an Investigation. It was, indeed,
Pat, whom he had noticed. but his
search Of every house in that section
Of the street failed to reveal the OBJ
5ect Of his quest.
Pat was covered BY the bedding In
q poor family's dinsy rooms when
Kelly entered. To his questions the
old hAg who lived In the hovel made
unintelliSible answers. When Kelly
tEisd 10 search the hlthy quarters the
old woman arose In rebellion and drove
him from the house.
Throwing the covers from the dfthy
bed, Pat emerged, when Kelly had
been driven sway, and exprsssed her
thanks to the old hag for sheltering
her In the emergency. Pat slipped
few pieces Of oliver into the old wom-
ans hand. -'r' 's'N N'ir1
Pat had made good her escape from
the Sphinx. That knowledge pleased
the old woman, and the money
brought relief to her misery. And Pat,
safely Il home, gained great satisfae-
ton In moving she could be Of service
In rswarding TIE Kindness shown to
whsa kerry returned to his apart
meots Ut 'Dte Ambassadeur1 early in
the morning his two assistants were
waiting for him.
TWfsh I had followed the butler
from the estdens myself. instead Of
loatng sgnt of him to report" said
eoe Of Kelly's men.
"Yes, It Is q shame-we had them
caught right In the Van Nuys'
grounds."
Kelly stood for . moment. contemplate
ing hisscompanions in this disappoint-
ment Then he drew the Jewels from
his pocket and said:
"We will 90 to Mrs. Van Nuys in the
morning and give her what she sent
~ after" Kelly's men were far more
excited than was their chief. in the
knowledge that the Sphinx had once
xsore txiumphed.
Pat had said nothing to her aunt
about her adventure at the Cafe Chat
Noir. and the girl was quite AZ much
surprised as was Mrs. Van Nuys when
Kelly. and his two assistants, called
the next forenoon to return the jewels.
'Nr. Kelly has lived up to his repu-
tation, Pat" said Mrs. Van Nuys, ra-
diently happy In her good fortune.
The Sphinx was modestly silent His
cold gaze swept Pats beautiful face
and marvellous form without any sign
Of the admiration the girl was 20 &C
eustomed to creating.
It was Kelly's disinterestedness that
piQued the beautiful girl.
Kelly had surprise in store for Pat
Whsa they were left alone for q mo-
ment while Mrs. Van Nuys went to her
boudoir to draw q check with which to
Pay the Sphinx his promised reward.
Last night, at the Cafe Chat Noir.
I saw . girl who closely resembled
you. Mis- Aontez-but, Of course. II
couldn't BE- you" The remark startled
Pat, fos she believed that shs had e.
capped detection when Kelly had -
suddenly confronted her.
'-Oh, that's one Of my weaknesses"
Pat managed to stammer In reply. TIN
% ordinary that people are always tell
ing me how much remind them OF
other girls"
There was tnunt Of d nance in her
tuna she gave the dctcr'ye . search
lng iopk from her big iar. eyes. and