Omaha daily bee., 1921-08-21

not let 1t remain as II stood. In justice to
Mrs. Bourke he must question further Miss
Harrington. Unless he did So he. Jenkins
would always have doubt. . . II was
his duty to question Miss Harrington. Some,
thing much more important than Jenkins
desire to do exact justice. even in his
thoughts, to Allayne Bourke was involved.
The law was involved.
He sent a thrill through the matchmaking
heart Of Alice Merriman by telephoning and
asking IL she and Miss Harrington would
take luncheon with him at the Trenmore,
Histowns only hotel that laid claim to
being attractive. Mrs. Merriman would ask
Miss Harrington. She did. They would both
be delighted.
1t was a pleasant little luncheon. Jenkins
was perfect host, and Mrs. Merriman was
quite convinced that her dearest chum would
soon be Hilstown neighbor Of hers. She
didn't know that her chum was already en-.
gagged to New York man. Chums do not
always tell each other ererythtn0
The bridge at Jenkins house was dis.
cussed. The Chief Of Po1tce deftly led tho
conversation around to that subject.
Excellent player, Mrs. Bourke." he said.
He felt something of a cad as he mentioned
her name He felt that he was doing some-
thing vicously underhanded But, after all,
he was an officer Of the law, sworn to uphold
It. That his duty led him into strange. in
credible places was no reason why 1t should
be forsworn.
There was enthusiastic response from both
his guests. Feeling still more caddish. Jen-
kins asked
"You hadn't met her before, had you.
Miss Harrington?"
The young woman shook her pretty head.
ALTHOUGH I thought that I recognized her
as a woman I'd seen driving a car day before
yesterday. But l was mistaken"
MRS. Bourke Is rather a striking looking
woman" insinuated Jenkins.
Beautiful" agreed Miss Harrington with
enthusiasm. That's why I was SO sure
that I was right. But. Of course, when
woman wears a veil, and Is sitting down In
4 car, one can easily be mistaken. Esps-
cially If one doesn't know the person."
"Of course" said Jenkins. He turned the
conversation easily to other channels.
But when the luncheon was over and he
was back In his office he began to do some
serious thinking The mysterious woman Of
the Cresthill Inn had been veiled . .
He tried = put his suspicious from him, but
he could pt. OF course. on the face OF 1t,
nothing was more ridiculous than a suspicion
Of Mrs. Spenser Bourke. But he knew Of
many crimes where the first suspicion must
have seemed to its holder as absurd as this
one Of his II one failed to investigate cir
cumstance because IL didn't seem reasonable
one would not get very far
And 1t began to seem to him now that hO
was not going to get very far, The latest
reports from the seekers after the letter ad-
dressed to him were not encouraging. They
had gone, so they declared, over every inch
of the ground near to the dismantled letter
through the underbrush. looked in the shrub
berry. OF course, he would not call them on
the chase yet. He couldn't afford to do that.
But he felt less hopeful; distinctly so.
And the more he thought OF Allayns
Bourke, of Miss Harrington's statement, OF
the tone of Allayne's denial. Of Tommy
Purdy's testimony as to the number Of the
license plates. of the license number on
Allayne's car, the more disturbed he became.
He could not let the matter drop. Yet hs
could hardly turn over such a matter to q
detective. TO do that meant to tell his sus-
picions to another, and that meant to blacken
Allayne in the mind Of that other. Even
though she advanced convincing proof that
she had not left her house on the day before
yesterday she would be snirched 1t was,
then. up to him to question Allayne further.
It was e. most unpleasant task. but it could
not be delegated.
He telephoned Allayne and asked II he
might coma to tea Her voice gave no indi.
cation Of her inward terror She would be
delighted, she told him. So, at shortly before
five o'clock, he was ushered into the Bourke
home.
Allayne poured gracefully. Further, she
just how much sugar he liked
and that he did not use either cream or
lemon. These things are satisfying to
Ii.
kins had had tea at Allayne's but once be-
fore. and that was some months ago. Yet
she had not forgotten. The little incident
made him more than ever ashamed Of him
self.
I'VE had such a jolly time last night"
said Allayne. And l don't see you can
resist that pretty Miss Harrington. II I
we're a man I'm sure she's just the girl I'd
want"
jenkins grinned amiably. "A perfect
peach" he said. He stirred his tea, looking
downward. odd, how sure she was that
she'd seen you"
Allayne had been expecting this. And be-
ause ahe had wished to get 1t over with
he had invited his remark. Deliberately
he had mentioned Miss Harringtons nano.
Wasn't IT." she agreed. with a little
augh "Only-she was mistaken. I hadn't
,een out Of the house all day"
you're emphatic" smiled jenkins. He
vas watching her now. watching her keenly.
You speak as though you could prove 1t"
Allayr grtmaced. 1t was pretty srimaca.
Now, that makes it embarrassing, for
hats the one :hing can't do. You see.
ct the boys-Tsuro and Itogo-go az sooA
y they had prepared luncheon. Itoso had
missed mis- day OF last week. gave din
er party on his regular day off--Wednes.
az. So, day before yesterday, l let them
oth so. They nre great chums. 1t was
ort OF special extra reward-etting them
o together. OF course, Tsuro came back
or Ginner-" She broke of with laugh.
I'm giving you long dissertation on the
Iay I retain my servants and keep them
appy."
You interest me-" said Jenkins.
She laughed again. She wondered what
e knew how much he suspected. he had
AIKEN Miss Harrington's statement last night
eriously Well, she would prove herself
,atch for him.
Then--with luncheon on the liable, a s1d-
en- headache have them occasionally
ttacked ne, and I couldn't touch a thing.
went upstairs and laid down for 8 couple
Z hours. Tsuro was quite arSry whee ne
,und that 1 had eaten nothing. Weren't
ou, Tsuro?" she suddenly asked the Jap,