Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-04-19
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a tagne's surprise changed to indig
(, nation. And does he dare to go tc
such lengths in his hatred as to accuse
me, cadet Of a noble house. of g
crime so base?" With a violent ef
fort La Montague controlled his tenn
per. Upon what grounds does he
make such a charger" he inquired
more calmly.
"That he had an appointment to
meet you Monday night in his house
and that he sent you his latchkey TO
get in with, so that you would not
have to wait outside the house for
him." explained Mitchell, watching
carefully to see the effect of his words.
But his long statement had given the
Frenchman time to pull himself to-
gether and he was master Of his feel
ings as he answered.
"I had the appointment" he stated
But I did not keep it,"
"Why not?" demanded Mitchell.
Because I lost my way in the
storm-you recall the storm Of Mon
day" Mitchell mumbled a reluc-
tant "eyes" and La Montague contin.
ed rapidly. Il am not fa.miliarly &C
quainted with your circles and streets,
and I lost my way in the binding
rain and hail. I wandered about for
many weary hours, and returned to
my hotel drenched to the skin"
Mitchell stared at him. Have you
any witnesses to prove your state.
ment?" he asked, and the Frenchman
flushed hotly.
"My word, monsieur, is good"
Yes, yes-but you may have to
face a court of law" warned Mitchell.
GO slow" commanded Maynard,
breaking into the conversation.
"Recolect, Mitchell. in your zeal you
may overstep your authority"
Mitchell contented himself with a
glare at Maynard as he again ad.
dressed the Frenchman.
Witnesses are very good things,
SIR" he said wisely. Just a word
more; do you admit that Mr.. Burn.
ham sent you his latchkey?"
La Montague disregarded Maynard's
Indignant ejaculation and answered
promptly. II received the key, Mon
{ sieur: what them
well. l guess that's enough
Mitchell stepped nearer the French
man. who faced him calmly.
II will add" said La Montague and
his voice was very quiet, "the latch
key was not in my possession on Mon
day night"
TT wasn't?" Mitchell almost shout.
ed the question, while Maynard stared
in wonder at the Frenchman.
Non, monsieur" continued La Mon
tagne TRANQUILITY. THE latchkey hat
been stolen from my apartment or
Monday afternoon."~
Mitchell gazed open-mouthed at hi
two companions, but before he coulC
think of anything to say the stag
manager ran down a few steps ant
stopped at sight of La Montague.
Hurry up!" he exclaimed much re
lieved. You are TO sing the Mar
seillaise now; the audience is wait
ing" and he almost dragged tn
Frenchman up the few steps, Mitchell
standing back to let him pass. Blu
he was hard on his heels a momen
later and only stopped in the wing
as La Montague walked out towar
the center OF the brilliantly lighte
stage.
Maynard, who had followed his com
face with Marian Van Ness at tn
mead of the stairs.
Have you seen Evelyn" she aske
anxiously. 81 want her to go hom
with me-"
"IIl tell her." he promised and sh
smiled gratefully at him
do, please; I'll run and get m
cloak, which one of the maids put /
our dressing ROOM" and she disaI
peared as Maynard hastened down tn
steps. He had been gone but sci
ond when Mrs. Burnham, assisted b
Doctor Hayden, clambered up th
staircase and looked helplessly at tn
busy scene.
Dear me, where will we find Ev
lyn?" She turned to address a seen
shfter, but the man passed withor
paying the slightest attention to he
hail.
"Just sit here, Mrs. Burnham
Hayden guided her to a chair STAN
ing against the wall "I'll look U
the stage manager; he will kno
where Evelyn is to be found" and h
~ isarted behind some scenery.
Mrs. Burnham listened with inte
est to the echoing chorus of the Ma
selllaise. which was being played
the Marine Band and sung by IL
audience. Suddenly spying bevy
girls toward the back of the stal
she rose and walked in their directio
Mitchell, observing that La Mo,
tagne was singing an encore turnt
away just as Hayden appeared at Il
entrance to the wing and prompt
accosted him,
Have you seen Miss Preston?"
asked as the detective paused by hi
Haven't laid eyes on her" Mitch
looked over toward the stairca'
..r..st that eba7D and he and HaVd