The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-04-04
10 VE,S GAMBLE
ByMAY CHRISTIE

where a busting student, arrayed in long white coat, dressed Jim's wound
 Take him straight home-he ought to be watched for day or two. Don't for get to tell his people that" remarked the medica, fixing a final safety-pin in the bandage
 IFS lost his memory-doesn't know is own name, evenl' cut in the con stable.
 .'Wen, he can't stay here," snapped out the student testify.
 'sThere's a vacant bed in No. S." a pretty nurse volunteered, casting an in- terested eye on Jim. Shall I go and ask the ward Sister about it?'
 She did-with the result that the good looking unknown soon found himself tuucked up in a comfortable cot.
 When the ward Sister made her rounds that night she paused for moment be- side the unknowns pillow and stared at him in sheer astonishment.
 What an extraordinary likeness," She beckoned to a nurse, who immediately joined her. .NurSe, whom does he remind you of2"
 "The young Dalton fellow who died of opium said the nurse. without a mo- ments hesitation, staring at Jim. And then she added:
 But Dalton was an unhealthy wreck and this man looks as though he'd led a normal. simple life-he's differentt
 The patient, hearing the words, strug- gled into 8 sitting posture.
 'Dalton?" he muttered. Dalton. did you say?'
 "Yes-what's your name2" the sister asked
 II think it is Dalton. tool" Jim nur- mured, drowsily
 Jim's protracted absence terrified poor Shirley
 He must be kiIled-oh. something aw- ful must have happenedl' she walled to I Lucille and to David Burke. He'd never ' disappear like this of his own accordi' 1 On the third morning that sfollowed Jim's departure, Shirley insisted that she must return to town. Burke had decided ! that-if the Belvedere Club or the Chel- of Jim-he would notify Scotland Yard. And he accompanied Shirley and Lucille to London
 It was melancholy little trio then who entered a first-class Pullman on the Southern Belle and sped across the green Sussex downs, en route for Victoria. Shirley was by nature an imaginative girl-and, throughout the journey a se- ries of dismal mental pictures fiickered | through her mind. The young girl had worked herself into perfect fever by the time Victoria was reached.
 They taxied straight to Jims town club. Burke went inside. In few minutes he came out, still with the worried look upon his face No news of him-they say he went out ] the night before last. intending to return to the club, but he hasn't shown up sincer'
 Did he get your telegram inquired Shirley, breathless.
 He got it right enough. The hall- porter gave it to him shortly before he left the place"
 They drove to Chelsea. The search was | unproductive there. Jim hadn't visited his studio, or any of his friends. | Next on to Scotland Yardi There Shir- i ley told a grim-faced official about her ! interview with the Chinaman. But Scot land Yard at present could afford no clue.
 Jim Dalton had completely disappeared! You must just possess your soul in ] patience. Shirley2" her two friends as | sured her But with no effect! Love and suspense do not go well together. l Vivian had returned to her Chelsea stu l doi, considerably interested in the long. lhaired artist of the fashion-drawings l whom Shirley had met in Fuller S. But l Vivian's potential love affair was tenn. porariiy obliterated under Shirley's news Jun Daiton was engaged to Shirley-and he'd completely disappeared.
 "Cheer up, old girl!' Vivian had tried to reassure her friend. "Take my advice and leave detectives and police alone They're an immensely stupid crowd You take a taxi and go yourself round all the l London hospitalsl You'll find him quick. l est that way"
 She slipped away that very afternoon 1 and started on her quest. | f 1Y,I fa1t 1t<t.. various hospital officials were often very 1 curt with her. Privately, they thought the young girl was little mad. | But Shirley wasn't to be daunted. She had gambled heavily in love-she wasn't going to lose-no, not if she could | help it* l If Jim Dalton was in London she would