The Washington herald., 1920-02-20

And what do you think Of the safe
roPbing episodey" I couldn't keep
from asking. ] was curious 20 know
1: his suspicions turned to Alice. Tony
wasn't the type Of man TO spare q
woman.
"oh. that's quite obviousr' He gave
a short. strained laugh. why ssky"
It's only natural that I should be
interested" rejoined stiffly, ''as 1
was the chief person concerned! II
was not very pleasant experience.
either
Tony turned toward me. There was
a queer. unfathomable look upon his
fece.
idear"
was careful not to commit myself
i didn't answer.
Without a doubt Il was Travis
Lloyd himself" said Tony. with an air
Of mystery.
'What!" 1 started In amazemenL
oh, but that's impossible"
1T isn't" came the quick negative.
It's the most likely thing in the
world!"
"But-but-" stammered. -if "
had been he. then why did he switch
off the light? Why did he niaS a
serf round my head? WHY
Tony looked at me compassionsteIy.
as though / were a baby.
Because he didn't wish 10 be dis
covered"
'But-his own safe"
"Oh. II wasn't entirely a question of
the safe" said Tony loftily. In my
opinion. there was some one with him
at the time that he wanted TO hide!
The mans shady through and through,
Helene"
He paused. then continued:
Didn't It strike you as odd that he
made practically no effort to search
for the supposed burgiar?'
Yes-that was true! II was indeed
We had reached the garage now
Tony buttoned the heavy motor-coa'
about me. .
''ShsIl ! driver" he said casually
"or-'-he brightened-"shall you snt
I jusS sit costly together In the bach
seat. chatting?"
Il didn't quite know what to say
| The alternative was not allurlng
Tony at the wheel is reckless anC
Incompetent. But Tony in the bscl
seat tete-a-te.e with me is much toC
smsrous.
Il think you'd better drive" i ssit
at last
The chauffeur came UP to Us
We'll have to hurry. Miss" III
touched his cap. Then he aided re-
spectfully: .-. .---
Il understand you're going TO thu
station TO meet the mother OF th'
poor young gentleman that wa
hurt7''
what" The sudden exclamation
came from Tony. He looked com
pletely taken aback. Whats that
Helene?''
''oh. 1t only a chance" said cssu
ally. but invsr1ly surprised at Tony.
sudden change of manner. 'Th'
nurse has been in town today. and
Aubyns TO Inquire IL this boy 10 htS
son? 1t seems like a wild-goose chass
to me"
i climbed into the car.
Tony stood irresolute. He looked
the picture Of indecision.
IF you don't mind. Helene.
believe 1 won't come, after allr
said he. ERIN fact they ex.
pect me back at Thorny Grange fol-
a game of bridge. I'll just pop iI
and have a chat with Alice and her
husband-snd then I'll go-if you'll
excuse me. I'm a rotten driver
anyhow. Yo1n get along better
without me-"
Although very much surprised.
did not demur. But Tony's suddeI
change OF attitude did seem odd
He had evidently no wish to NEE
the unknown stranger.
! Perhaps" I told myself. "he''
afraid of feminine scene -
Mysteries! That really is SO like 1
man OF Tony's type"
I thought no more about IL, then
and We set OF.
The train was rather late. W,
had a chilly wait at the station
But at last the evening local rum
bled in.
Few passengers slighted. Fore
most among them was the nurse.
She was accompanied by a sweet.
faced woman of middle age: with q
kindly, motherly face that was nov
aglow with eager anxiety. Sh,
could hardly wait for the nurse {,
Introduce US before she said, nerv'
ously:
"oh. do tell me quickly that m,
Jim 10 better,"
/ caught her hands in mine. Fol
n