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

! That's Verlyn Vachell." he said.
seeming to think that the mere mem
ton Of the name was enough.
Look at her" The lady about
whom we were speaking, at that pre-
else moment, swept out across the
floor. flanked on one side by still
explanatory head waiter and on the
other by a profusely apologize house
manager. She knew that every nine
men out of ten in that crowded room
were looking after her. were looking
after her with appraising and covet-
Gus eyes, a little thick. perhaps, from
the yellow liquid that dubbed in
their tulip-shaped glasses. But she
repaid none Of them for their stares
OF alteration.
II wonder what happened over
there?' remarked the tango-rat across
the table from me. &D
THAT woman" told him, has just
been robbed Of a canary-colored dia-
mond set between two emeralds"
His face did not change. I don't
think there was q single movement in
a single feature. Only, somewhere
behind the face itself. light seemed
to go slowly out leaving an ashy
colorlessness in the listlessly staring
eyes. ...,.. ..t-
But who could have stolen it". he
inquired with a forlorn sort Of
bravado. n- -,.
retorted. ,. @
He sat there quite silent for long
time. Then his haggard eyes lifted
and searched my face. .t ~
And what do you intend doing
about it," he asked in a voice that
carried quavering chest-tone Of
broken and crushed manfulness some-
where deep down in it's Inducements.
What would you do?" asked,
fencing for time. for 1 didn't want any
slightest jot of pity for that detected
tango-rat to complicate the clear-cut
issues Of justice. .-.
II wouldn't do anything" he finally
said, and he said it with an earnest
ness that surprised me. II wouldn't do
anything until understood every side
of the case.'''
i
duired.
willie Whiteway." he just as
promptly replied.
What would you take me for" I
asked him. The question seemed to
surprise him. Yet he studied me with
his shrewd and troubled eyes.
That's what I've been wondering"
he admitted. Then he stopped.
you're not used to this sort of place.
And yet you've got big pile of con-
fidence. And I guess plenty of courage
to back it up. But you're not in BUSH
ness and"
ION the contrary" corrected him
as raised a revers and exhibited my
little silver badge to his suddenly
steadying eyes. I'm engaged in q
very serious sort Of businessw
Holy smoke!" he said as he sat
Imply back in his chair.
80 what are we going to do about
it?" 1 prompted.
TITS up to you. suppose" he said
in a dead sort Of voice. Then he sud-
denly started and looked over his
snouioeF' sQulntlnS apprehenSlVely
toward the orchestra platform. That's
Adolph signaling for me. Twelve
got to do one of my exhibition stunts
with that girl in blue there. It's still
my work. you see. Won't you please
walt here until I come back at the
end of my dance? II don't get out
and do that dance they'll-they'n
surely suspect something. Cant you
do that much"
ION one condition" 1 said, remem-
bering how easy 1t would be for him
to pass his haul on to the guileless
Columbine in blue, in case that
spangled-skirted young lady should
be confederate Of his.
What condition." ne asked, al
ready on his feet.
That you leave that silk handker-
chief Of yours with me-" told him.
And that you leave 1t with that
pendant wrapped up in it,"
He sat down again, blinking
thoughtfully across the table at me.
Then, without word, he slipped q
Anger into his waistcoat pocket. took
something out and wrapped 1t up in
his ha M L uht,h m 1aS tyto~