Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-05-06
them with frank disappointment.
La

Maria was not in the apartment.
You remember me?" Bobby asked
Yes. You have been here. You
are, friend OF mademoiselles. You
can, perhaps, tell me where she is
Bobby shook his head. The girl
spread her hands. She burst out ex-
cltedly:
what is one TO do? have tele-
phoned the theater. There was no
one there who knew anything at all.
except that mademoisclle had not
appeared at the performance last
night"
Graham glanced at Bobby.
'When." he asked, did you sec
her last?"
ut was before luncheon yestcr-
day"
did she leave. no instructions
Didn't she say when she would be
back"
The girl nodded.
That's what worries me, for she
ssid she would be back after the
performance last night"
"She left no instructions?' Ora
ham repeated.
only that IL any one called or
telephoned l was to make no ap-
pointments. What am I to do? Per-
hlps shouldn't be talking to you.
She would never forgive me for nm
ir,discretion.''
For the present I advise you to
do nothing" Graham said. You can
safely leave all that to her man
ayers. I am going to see them now.
| will telHthem what you have said.
The gifl's eyes moistened.
Thank you. sir. ! have been at
MY wits end"
APPARENTLY she withheld nothing.
She played no part to confuse the
dancers friends.
On the way to the managers Of
flee. with the trailing car behind
them. Graham reasoned excitedly:
For the first time we seem to be
actually on the track. Here's q
tangible clue that may lead to the
Heart of the case. Maria pulled the
wool over the maids eyes. too. She
didn't want her to know her plans,
but her instructions show that she
had no intention of returning last
night She probably made bee line
Tor the Cedars. 1t was probably she
that YOU saw at the lake, probably
t'he who cried. last night II only
SHE hadn't written that note! l can't
,,et the meaning of it. It's up to her
managers now. II they haven't heard
rom her it's a safe guess she's play
ing O deep game. connected with the
crying, and the light at the deserted
house, and the disappearance of Pa.
redes before dawn. You must real
lze the connection between that and
your condition the other evening
after you had left them.
Bobby nodded. He began to hope
that ut the managers office they
would receive no explanation Of
Maria's absence destructive to Gra-
hams theory. Early as 1t was they
found bald-headed man in his
shirt sleeves pacing with an air of
panic a blantantly Furnished office.
Well" he burst out as they en-
tered. my secretary tells me you've
come about this temperamental Car
men OF mine. Tell me where she IL.
Quickp
Graham smiled Mt Bobby. The
manager ran his fingers across his
bald and shining forehead.
It's no Laughing natter
I "Then she has definitely disap-
peared?" Graham said.
Disappeared! Why did / come
down at this dngodly hour except on
the chance of getting some word?
She didn't even telephone last night.
l had to show myself in front of the
curtain and give them spiel about
a sudden indisposition. And believe
me, gentlemen, audiences amt what
they used TO be: Did these ginks sit
back and take the show for what It
was worth ? Not by a darn sight.
Flocked to- the box office and howled
for their money ack. ) II she doesn't
appear tonight might az well close
the house. I'll be ruined.
Mess" Graham suggested, "you
get your press agent to make capital
out OF her absence. The papers
would publish her picture and thou
sands of people, would look her up
for YOU"
The manager ceased his perplexed
massage of his forehead. He shook
hands genially.
I'D thought of that with some
frills. Has beautiful dancer met
foul play? Millions in jewels on her
person when last SEEN. Old stuff,
but they rise to IT."
THAT will help" Graham said to
Bobby when they were in the car
again. "The reporters will find
Maria quicker than any detective
can put my hand on. My man evil
IDENTIFY fell down because she had
gone before I got him on the case"
At his office they learned that was
the fact. The private detective had
been able to get no slightest clue as
to Maria's whereabouts Moreover.
Bobby's description of the stranger
who had entered the cafe with her
merely suggested type familiar to
the Tenderloin. For purposes Of
identification 1t was worthless.
Always followed by the car from
Shutdown, they went to the hotel
where Paredes had lived, to num-
Der Of his haunts. Bobby talked with
men who knew him, but he learned
nothing. Paredes' friends had had
no word since the mans departure
for the Cedars the day before. SO
they turned their backs on the city.
elated by the Significance Of Maria's
absence, yet worried by the search
and the watchful car which never
lost sight Of them. When they were
in the country Graham sighed his re-
lief.
''You haven't been. stopped. There
fore. nothing was found at your
apartment, but il that wasn't planted
why should Maria have sent an in
note there?"