The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-01-24
OUTSIDE THE LAW
By STUART RIVERS Cc-author of @Iove Aff atrs . z Lonely woranv

lof Henry Ballin, but instead of noticing this point the woman apove him answered briefly
 Tell her to wait. I'll be right down." A grunt from the man was the only an- swer Frances heard, nor did he reap- pear, but thumped away toward the rear of the house, where she heard door slam. ending his brief appearance on the scene of the girls little act Still leaning against the table, Frances waited. What role should she assume when the other woman appeared? And above all. who was the other woman? It was hardly conceivable that she would turn out to be Susie, whom Frances had last seen in the tea room of the Whistling Cat. It was someone else who had an- s~ered the caretaker. But on the other hand, Frances reasoned as she stared out of the window at the passing traffic of the drive, it could hardly be Henry Ballin's sister.
 However. in this she was wrong for after a wait of possibly five minutes Jane appeared in the doorway, wearing a morning wrap of yellow silk, her hair in long braid that hung below her waist
 Did you wish to see me?" she in- qulred lmpersonally, observing the girl With indifferent interest
 Frances smothered the gasb of aston- ishnent that rose to her lips and shook her head |i was sent here to see MT. Ballin ," answered. If you don't mind I'll wait until he comes?"
 
 the other asked, the same difference domj- nant in her tones
 Somenow Frances gleaned a warning rom the woman's voice. Something about her very indifference told her that she was being pumped for information. and her answer was uttered only after a cara 1ul' even If rapid, consideration Of the niany-sided position in which she found herself.
 am a stenographer," she returned.
 friend of his told me that he wa s looking for someone to work for him
 frances realized only too we'll that if , Jane was the real Susie, Frances to her would be only young crook of Chicago who knew nothing of the plot aeainst Henry Ballin save what had transnired in the house up in Riverside. Judge Cranes d name would therefore be safe to use. and
 she added:
 T was sent here by Judge crane.-
 Jane raised her brows a trifle ane
 glanced into the girls face. A brief paus,
 followed and she asked: T Did Judge Crane say why Mir Ra1li, !, wanted stenogra pher?" once more Frances considered swiftly n Yes," she answered, The said that MT e Ballin's stenographer had met with a, g accident"
 Indeed Jane exclaimed in surprise T An accident. hadn't heard Wha L V He didn't say,' Frances said vasueI< m He only said that l might be able f, le get the position Again she though 'r and forestalled Jane'se next question. :. tried down at the office. but MT. BalIi,
 wasn't there"
 a 'No one at Mir. Ballin's officer" Ian exclaimed in apparent astonishment. IN
 one at all was there?" "1 don't think so." Frances shook he | head. T knocked on the door and | couldn't get an answer" | 3For an instant longer the woman con
 tinued to stare into Frances face, ap | pareptly weighing the girls words in he
 own mind, then with . little gesture f
 a chair, she said: If you wish to wait don't know how long he will be away 1t may be-"
 III T don't mind" Frances put in.
 haven't anything to do.'.
 | Very we'll" Jane turned toward tn | door. T am Mir. Ballin's sister" II She made the statement sound aimos | like question, and Frances answered
 on the impulse of the moment. III T was wondering if you were. Comin up here I got on the wrong bus, an | when 1 changed at Fifty-seventh stree | recognized there was an automobile acci
 dent You were there, weren't you?
 thought I recognized you; that gentleman ! said your name was Miss Ballin' III A smile parted lanes lips and she nodd
 ed. Tt was very unpleasant I was near ly run over. If you will excuse me
 She turned and left the room am
 Frances walked quickly to the door
 waiting until she had disappeared. Gro be continued tomorrow) -I Copyright, 1920. Thompson Featur
 Service)