The Dermott news., 1919-07-10

1 for" -I hesitated again "a two weeks journey" Bermuda or Niagara Falls2" asked the young woman.
 ."I beg your pardon?" l inquired, con Scious that my face was insuflerably hOt.
 If you are taking madame to Der muda she will naturally require cooler clothing than if you are taking her to Niagara Falls" the young woman ex- plaiued. looking at me with benevolent patience. And seeing that l WIS wholly diSconeerted. she added
 Perhaps madame might prefer 10 make her own selection"
 AS l stood in the center of the store. apparently stumbling block To every shopper. Jacqueline fitted here and there until q comfortable assortment of parcels was accumulated upon the counter.
 l bought neat soleleather suit case. which. at Jacqueline's practical suggestion. was changed for Il lighter one of plaited straw.
 IL was while Jaequelire was exam ming the suitcases that my attention was drawn 10 tall. elderly man with hard, drawn and deeply lined weather beaten face and wearing a massive fur overeont, open in front, who was standing ip the division be tween the trunk department and that adjoining II. immediately behind Jacquelne. He was looking at me with an unmiStakable glance of rec ognition.
 knew that I had seen him several times before but. though his features were familiar. l had forgotten his name. l stared It him and he Stared 1 back at ne. and made an urgent sign to me
 Keeping an eye on Jacquelne and not losing sight ef her at any time followed the tall man. As neared him my remembrance of him grew stronger. When he turned round had his name on my lips. II waS simon Ieroux.
 'lliablel So you've got her :" he began in a hoarse forcihle whisper Where did you pick her up2'
 l made no answer. but waited for l him n lead again-and 1 was thinking l hard
 There's the devil to pay" he went on = his execrable accent Louis came on post haste. as yeH know. and he hasn't turned up this morning yet. An. mon Dteu, always knew Tom was close. but never dreamed you knew anything. You know what happened last night?"
 1t was an unfortunate affair" said guardedly.
 "Gnfortunate he repeated, staring at me out of his bloodshot eyes Tt was the devil. by - Who was he7"
 His face was fiery red. and he caS: 90 keen a look at me that I almost thought he had discovered he was be- traying himself
 It was lucky I WAS in New York when Louis wired us she had flown" he continued-T omit the baths which puncluated his phrases. Lucky l had my men with me too didn't think I'd need them here, but I'd promised them trip 10 New York and then come Louis wire. put thegl on the track. l guessed she'd go 10 paIy'S-- old purhainc was mad about that crazy system of his. and had been writing h.m.
 'I tell you it was ticklish. There was millions of dellurS' worth of prop erty walking up Broadway asd they'd got her with taxi waiting near hy, when that devils fool stralls up and draws a crowd If I'd been there I'd have"
 A string of vile explosives followed his last remark
 "They got on his track again and followed lhem te the McrrImuc.e he continued And they never came out They waited all night til nine this morning. and they never ca41e out. thought her good girl-it's awful, Who was heT Say. how much do you knowf"
 His face was dripping with sweat, and he shot an awful look at Jacque- line as she bent over the suitcase. I could hardly keep my hand. off him, but Jacquelines need was too great for me to give vent to my passion. s