Evening star., 1919-03-02

sasped the breathless Hilton, "That's
nay own mouey--l had il when / came
here"
clifford turned to Mary n warned
You what he was--one of the cley~
crest of that new trade whose spe-
ciaity is squeezing big money out of
w0men,"
Hes done nothing" Mary affirmed.
looking directly at Clifford, You
how did you get in here? ! heard
no ring"
'Pass-key. That story doesn't
go. Mrs. Grayson--it doesn't go.
Hilton. / was right on Hilton's
heels when he entered. heard him
demand the money on threat OF eX
posure, l saw the money passed"
He TUNED abruptly on Loveman,
And YOU LoVeman YOU fiji into this
pretty little game. too"
ME, Bob, my dear boy?" protested
Lovemau. why is it," he demanded
III tone of mourning, that the inno-
cent bystander is the one that al
ways gets the copper's stick over his
new spring derby?"
Your suspicious against AIR, Love
man-~-" began Mary.
Don't say Il word. Mrs Grayson."
Loveman cut In quickly.
Your suspicious against Mr.. Love
man are mistaken" persisted Mary.
Mr., Loveman gave me that money
Gave YOU the money" exclaimed
Clifford
Mrs. Grayson," appealed Loveman.
But Mary went on, speaking very
steadily and with n formal precision.
You are right about Mr.. Hilton. He
came yesterday afternoon, demand
ing money which had TO be paid by
$50 today. I at first refused; after
ward reconEni1ed | didn't dare net
pay. ] did not know where to get
such a sum, so telephoned Mr., Love
rfH1, IL h. Ia
came at once, and / told him of my
situation and that l could not pos
sibly raise the amount upon such
short notice. Jack did not have the
money, aud l could not have asked
him for thnamount, anyhow, and my
uncle Is away out on the coast.
asked Mr., LoVeman's advice. lie saw
my predlcament. and himself offered
to give me the money, Half an hour
ago he came, bringing the money
which you have. l believe that COM
pletely eXonerates Mr.. Loveman'
Yes. Bob Loveman said. cheerful
ly, Il guess that lets me out"
Clifford looked keenly at the little
mans round, Rood-natured face--be-
hind which played an unmatched
shrewdness. Clifford did not dlsbe-
lieve Mary, yet 1t seemed to him out
of the mans character to play such a
role as Mary had described. This was
one more aspect of the whole situation
which for the moment beWiidered
him.
II think, Peter. well soon figure out
Just where you At into this case he
said shortly. He turned TO his pris-
onerr AT any rate. I've got you for
fair, Hilton" he said grimly, Love"
man. kindly oblige Mr.. Hilton by pick
ing up his stick and hat"
"You may have me all right, said
Hilton, with pale, twitching smile
that he tried to force to be jauntly
Indifferent, but when the evidence
against me is produced in court what
will happen to Mrs. Mary Regan Nor
ton Grayson?'
"oh. say, Bob" Loveman spoke up
quickly, call 1t square II he gives
But his words were cut off by the
ringing OF the apartment bell. They
all suddenly became as fixed as so
many statues. Then Mary spoke and
her words came rapidly:
ut must be Jack, home from the
office, He's probably forgotten his
key. Mr.. Loveman, you go to the door
and prevent his coming In, Say what
ever you like"
Loveman slipped through the cur
tained doorway. and the next moment
Clifford heard the outer door open,