The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1919-06-03

from the instant he entered them.
There Was something uncanny in the
feeling that possessed him. Such es-
pionage as this signified something
deep and imperative in the presence
not only Of O'Dowd but the jack-in-
the-box gardener a few minutes ear
lier.
His mind was still full of the lovely
stranger about whom O'Dowd had so
manifestly lied over the telephone.
II must ask you to apologize to the
young lady on whom I blundered
few moments ago, Mr.. O'Dowd. She
must have been startled. Pray con-
vey to her my solicitude and ex-
cuseS."
"Consider it done, my dear sir" said
the Irishman. "Our most charming
and seductive guest" he went on.
"Bedad, Of the two Of you, I'll stake
me head sou we're startled the most
Coming suddenly upon such rare love-
un.ss Is almost equivalent to being
struck by a bolt Of lightning. Moro
than one painter Of portraits has said
that she Is the most beautiful woman
In the world. Nayhap you have heard
Of her. She is Miss Cameron Of New
Orleans, a friend Of Mrs. Van Dyke.
We have quite an enchanting house
party, Mr.. Barnes, II you consider no
more than the feminine side Of It.
By ~ way, have you heard when the
coroner Is to hold his inquestsT'
Nothing d 1nite. He may wait q
week." said Barnes.
II suppose you'll stick around until
It's over" ventured 0'Dowd. Barnes
thought he detected slight harshness
In his voice.
II have quite made up my mind to
stay until the mystery Is entirely
cleared up,," he said. 'The case Is SO
interesting that don't want to miss .
shred Of It"
II don't blame ye," said O'Dowd
heartily. I'D like nothing better me-
self than to mix up In it. The next
time you plan to pay us . visit, tele-
phone In advance. i may be able to
persuade my host that you're de.
cent, law-abiding, educated gentleman,
and he'll consent to receive you at
Green Fancy. Good day to ye." and
he shook hands with the departing
tfespasser.
"Takin' a walk?" was the landlords
greeting as Barnes mounted the tavern
steps at dusk.
"Going over the grounds Of last
nights affair."" responded Barnes.
pausing
As he entered the door he was
acutely aware of an intense stare lev
eled at him from behind by the land
lord Of Hart's Tavern. Half way up
the stairway he stopped short and
with difficulty repressed the exclama-
tion that rose to his lips.
He had recalled q significant Incl
dent Of the night before. Almost i'm
mediately after the departure Of Room
and Paul from the Tavern Putnam
Jones had made his way to the tele-
phone behind the desk and had called
a number in a loud, brisk voice. but
the subsequent conversation was car
ried on In subdued tones, attended by
haste. and occasional furtive glances
In the direction Of the taproom.
Upon reaching his room Barnes per-
mitted the suppressed emotion to
escape his lips in the shape Of soft
whistle, which If it could have been
translated Into words would have said /:
by Cad, why haven't I thought Of 1t
before? He sent out the warning that
Room and Paul were on the way! And
I'd like to bet my last dollar. that
someone at Green Fancy had the other
end Of the wire."
Mr.. Rushcroft was giving Hamlet's
address to the players, In the tap
room when Barnes came downstairs
at nine o'clock.
A small, dark man who sat alone at
a table In the corner caught Barnes
eye and smiled almost mournfully..
;Heswas undoubtedly q stranger; his
action was meant to convey to Barnes
he;iinformation that be too was from
q distant ma sophisticated community
and that a bond OF sympathy existed
between them. asz,ei.strs- s4Al.
Putnam Jones spoke suddenly ct
Barnes shoulder. He started fhvol-
unfairly. The ms1 was beginning to
get on his neryes. He seemed to be
dogging his footsteps with eeaseless
persistency.
"That feller over there in the cor
ner," said Jones softly, "is. q book
agent from your town. he sold me
set of Dickens when he was here last
time, about six weeks ago. A years
subscription to two magazines throwed
in. By gosh, these book agents are