Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-04-30
ByNATALIE SUMNER LINCOLN
Author of 'The NameIess Man.

double menace to public warfare. Go
with Mitchell"
"You are to come with u.s." said
Mitchell to Mrs. Ward, and without
backward glance the housekeeper fol-
lowed the detective and Hayden from
the house. s,~hdd
For moment after their departure
the silence was absolute; then May
nard, drawing long breath, faced the
chief of the Secret Service.
"The strain is over" he said thank
fully. II really thought I had killed
Won Eltz with an accidental overdose
of hyoscine until you announced, Cor
oner Penfield, that he had died from
hydrocyanic acid; then for the first
| time 1 realized he must have pene-
trated my Disguise attempted to
poison me and inadvertently mixed the
glasses and drank the dose he prepared
for me-"
Marian's low THANK God!" reached
only Mrs. Burnham, and that astute
dame, catching her expression, acted
with promptness.
It's been a horrible six days." she
confessed, with every one suspecting
every one else. Evelyn, If you hurry.
you can catch the society editors at
their office. Tell them to put in the
morning newspapers that Mr.. and Mrs.
| Peter Burnham announce your en-.
gagement to Captain Rene La Mon
tagne and that the marriage will take
place next month"
"Mother!" Evelyn's arms flew about
her and she gave her a most undigni-
fled hug. BLESS you," and La Mon
tagne gratefully kissed her hand; then
the two young lovers hurried from the
room.
Burnham went up to his wife. "Lil.
lian," his voice broke. " haven't de-
served your faith and your splendid
loyalty.
Hush! don't blame yourself too
much, Peter" Mrs. Burnham colored
Doctor Hayden made quite as big
a fool of me-" as the memory of her
interview that morning occurred to
her. Must you go, Doctor Penfield?"
YES" The coroner picked up the
medicine glass containing prussic acid.
with your permission, Maynard, I'll
take this for laboratory examination"
Wait for me downstairs, Penfield,"
called Chief Connor as the others
started for the door. "Mr. Maynard,
you have done fine work; rest assured
no more coded chess problems will go
to or come from Germany. Thanks
and congratulations" and he wrung
his hand, bowed to Marian Van Ness
! and left the room.
| Marian turned to accompany him
when Maynard rose from his chair
and detained her.
| Marian" His always charming
voice took it's most tender tone. All
is not said between you and me. Did
you mean your brief message on the
back Of the chess diagram? 1t went
straight to my heart to have you say:
I need you Do you need me, dear?"
I'll" Marian hesitated and her
color rose II was greatly troubled;
lost my Identification card admitting
me to the state department, and-and
the missing blotter frightened me-"
do not fear" Maynard smiled
brightly down at her averted face.
Doctor Hayden was the thief prob
! ably; Sikh showed me this morning
skeleton keys of every apartment in
the building. However, they were con-
cealed in Palmer's room, which led me
to believe that Palmer was the traitor.
Let us forget it ALL" He caught her
hand in his. Dearest, when l asked
you after your divorce to marry me
"Dan-Dan-" she cried, brokenly-
IT couldn't do it--then-"
"And you never answered my letters
"I didn't dare: was afraid I'd say
too much"
"Say it now" he pleaded and his
whisper, Sweetheart" found its echo
on her lips.
- THE END