Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-04-11
AID 1t not been for Betty Cam
eron's teashop ! should never
have become closely associ-


on more than one occasion kept the
peace between us, too
The teashop. tucked away in an alley
on Chancery lane. was freQuented
chiefly by legal men. Strangers were
few and must quickly have realized
that they were not really wanted. The
surroundings were coy, and If there
was nothing very exceptional about the
tea provided. there was about the pro-
prietress. There was large room.
smaller room practically reserved for
special customers, and beyond these
was Betty's private room, into which
only few were allowed. Perhaps it
was because Screed had introduced me
that was among the chosen few.
1t became a habit with me TO drop
into the teashop about 4 O'Clock, and
50 often was l allowed to pass into the
sanctum that the customers must have
thought l was relation-a cousin may
be. Sometimes Screed was there,
rather patronizing as far as | was con-
cerned, and when he was not with us
Betty and l often talked about him.
Probably she knew a great deal more
about him than l did, but whether he
had taken her into his confidence, or
whether her woman's wit had guided
her to an estimation OF his character,
l cannot say.
We were talking about him one after
noon when he entered the sanctum hur-
riedly.
Yates! Good. Just the man |
wanted. Yes, III have a cup Of tea.
Betty, and a piece Of cake. l hadn't
time for any breakfast and missed
lunch. Some Of US have got work to
do
''Mr. Yates has only just come" said
Betty.
Knew should find him here" and
one might have thought he was utter
ing q complaint. Point is. can you
leave for Paris tonight"
II have just been suggesting thea
ter to Betty" returned.
Betty can watt" he snapped.
Betty might refuse to wait had she
accepted the invitation, which she
hadn't" laughed the girl. But serious
", Jerry. is this dangerous business"
mot unless the boat goes down or
he train gets smashed up Mr.. Yates
might get killed by a taxi going down
Chancery lane, but no one would con-
3 slider the journey back to his chambers
dangerous"
I'm CO." ! said. What have got
h do?"
Wants to impress you with the fact
tlat he doesn't care whether it is dan
gerous or not. Wen walk along to-
gether in a few minutes, Mr.. Yates,
ind I'll tell you all about it. l want a
little help and l think you will do
Il am not to be told, is that it?"
asked Betty.
There is no part for you in this.
NJ. Yates can tell you all about it
afterwards. 1t will be an excuse for
him to come and see you again."
was annoyed by his manner, but
BETTY cleared the atmosphere by laugh
ing at US both.
As we crossed the large room toward
the door Screed stopped me.
Before we go out put that in your
pocket" and he handed me a sealed en-
velope. and added in a lower tone: Il
win tell you all about it in a minute"
He did not say anything until we
we're out Of the alley and some way
Gown Chancery lane.
'It Is a nice little affair, Mr.. Yates,
ind you are going to help me by taking
little jaunt to Paris" he said. taking
ny arm. you will find that letter is
addressed to firm of foreign bankers.
Marcelle ct Gle, Rue Septembre. and
iour businesstis to deliver it as soon as
possible after you leave Charing Cross
tonight. There Is no answer. nothing
- bring back. no receipt to take even.
but 1t is possible that some one travelling
20 Paris may get into conversation with
ou and endeavor to learn your BUSH
less He might be a member of the
vrench police"
Some one working with you?"
mot exactly. l do not want to ham,
per you with instructions. You are just
a man travelling on important and con-
fdential business, and it doesn't matter
very much who knows it. See the
idea?"
"You do not appear to set me a very
difficult task"
'Well, you're not very experienced yet.
are you?" he returned, land this Is not
quite 80 easy as II looks. You may
spot another traveller, a tall, loose -limbed
man. with gray hair and mustache,
slouch hat. rusty overcoat, dingy suit
case which looks as IL 1t wouldn't matter
Il he lost II. a Bohemian type. Got the
idea of him.