Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-06-08

afield.
yes" said the girl. with a choke
In her voice. II care for him more
than anything in the world"
II know he took that diamond" ac-
knowledged the grl. He has told
me everything"
And what do you expect me to do?"
could see her shaking shoulders
square with sudden resolution.
II want to take 1t back to its own-
err" she said.
My silence seemed to mystify her.
She didn't realize 1t was a silence Of
amazement.
Then let him" she implored. look-
ing up into my face. 1t was my smile
now that was pushing to her.
I was about to explain to her the
extraordinary fact that its owner had
declined to be interested in 1t. But
1 had no chance to do this. for the
taxicab suddenly came to a stop.
Our driver. I could see. had been
hailed by a slender-bo youth who
stepped out from between the shrub,
berry that lined the driveway. He,
was almost beside the taxi door be-
fore l awakened to the fact that 1t
was Willie Whiteway himself.
He opened that door with his own
hand. He didn't speak to me. but
stood there looking into the eyes Of
the girl at my side. =.
What unuttered interrogation he
put to her and what unspoken an.
swer she in turn sent back to him
had no means at the time Of know
ing. But he suddenly leaned closer
into the cab staring at me with a de-
termined ferocity which startled me
from that sleek and sallow young
face.
II want that diamond" he said,
with a masterfulness which I rather
admired in him.
why" 1 asked, as reached for
my handbag.
He hesitated for q moment.
Because I've got to start over
again." he announced. "And that's
the only way can see to do It,"
Il want you to start over" stay
tied him by saying. as I opened my
bag.
what" he gasped.
Il say want you two young peo-
pie to take your chance. now it's
here. And IL you haven't as much
right to this pendant as that sweet
scented pair who've been afraid to
touch it with q ten-foot pole. then
it's not for me to make myself into
a judge and jury"
And was about to add. AND bless
you, my children" as I handed the
canary -colored diamond nesting be-
tween its two emeralds out to him.
But something stopped me. For 1t
wasn't until my Pagliacct reached
out and took the pendant with his
left hand that I noticed what he al
ready held in his right hand.
What he held was very snub-
nosed looking revolver. police re-
volver with a sawed-o6 barrel. 1t
was the kind of frearrn. remen-
bered. much affected by the yegg and
the professional hold-up man. And
realised this l saw look pass be-
tween the youth with the revolver
and the girl sitting so close at my
side. 1t struck me as being fool
ish look, look Of utter amusement
touched with incredulity.
Driver" 1 called out sharply. as
started to my feet. And the person
addressed, l discovered, had to all
appearances lapsed into slumber OF
blissful unconcern.
/ merely knew that something was
wrong. that everything was wrong.
There was no longer a beleaguerinE
look OF pathos on the lean face Of
the lean young tango-rat beside me.
1t wore a wicked look now, and q
furtive one. And it perplexed me to
see him suddenly stoop low, close
in beside the running board. At the
same moment the 1.-the limbed W ing
girl on my left realizing better han
the full intent Of that postur. OF
humiliation. came into unexpected
action. With one quick push she
hunted me bodily and ignominiously
out through the open door Of that
taxicab. -
cascaded out over that obstruct.
ing body and rolled without grace
or dignity along the well piled sur
face OF an uncommonly hard macad-
amized driveway. l sat there da1edly'
watching that taxicab sway out Of
sight beyond u turn In the driveway.
Then I slowly gathered myself to-
gether, recovered my handbag and
made my way to a park bench, where
| sat long and deep in thought.
Half an hour later I hailed an empty
taxi and ordered the driver to take
me straight down to the Alliance.
Offices. There Inspector Sloan looked
up at me with a meditative and i'm
personal eye.
by the way. Ralmy. I guess we've
IN All moi "A Ito Md