Evening star., 1921-09-04
Continued from Yesterday's star.)

Il have called twice and she refused
to see me-" she admitted. "She win
not even talk to me over the tele-
phone. and Mrs. Waverly's tone is
positively insolent! l can only think
that some one must have poisoned
Mrs. Creveling's mind against me, but
one would not imagine that she would
stoop to be catty at q time like this"
Maybe she's been hearing a few
things about fans and Chinese cabi-
nets" McCarty suggested blandly.
What do you mean?" Mrs. Kip re-
treated a step and a rich color dyed
her face.
only that now her husbands gone
it was probably just as easy for Mrs.
Creveling to get line on things she
hadn't known before, as it was for
US TO do the same thing, Mrs. Kip!'
Tis nothing to US. Of course. since
it has no bearing on the actual muir
der. but neither has the errand that
brought me here the day. There's
enough dirt and scandal in this case
as 1t is without dragging in more that
been only foolish. That's why 1 came
you lost"
He held out the bundle and Mrs.
Kip took 1t from him in silence with
averted eyes. She had WINGED at his
IEdhh InculiOH VI dHU
scandaf and her poise seemed shaken,
but her face was an expressionless
mask as she unwrapped the paper.
The next instant she shrank back as
though from q blow as q scarf of
rich, lustrous fur fell at her feet. and
What Ii it?" she cried hysterically.
That is not mine, never saw 1t be-
fore! 1 have lost nothing! Why have
you brought that here to me?"
Because it is part Of the duty of
our organization to restore lost prop
face steadily. IF you've forgotten you
lost that fur neckpiecs and where.
there are plenty of people who can
identify 1t as yours and one who
knows where it was found and who
else was there. It's no use. Mrs. Kip;
She wavered and caught at chair
back. Her lips moved, but for a mo-
ment no sound came. Then she asked
in hoarse whisper:
What are you going to do?"
THAT depends entirely on you,
"Oh. what do you mean?" she cried
quickly. You have your price, Of
course! 1 forgot that! Tell me your
terms. will do anything, pay you all
you cant pay ,9ss,,s, me anything; y 9s;
you'll do what I tell you there'n be
no word said Of that scarf unless you
open your own lips. and don't think
you'll do that. II you go your own
way. Of course. we'll have to go
ours"
"oh. I'll do anything, anything"
Her hands were working convulsively
together. Only tell me what you
stay in your house, am. for the
rest Of the day. Don't write any notes
or talk to a soul on the phone or see
early this evening and I want you to
be ready to go out with me and some
friends Of mine. You needn't be
alarmed. there'll be friends of yours
there. too. and you'll not be detained
more than an hour"
A little color had come once again
into her blanched face and now she
raised her head with a little of the
Mrs. waverly and Mrs. Creveling
Will they be PRESENT. l don't know
1 refuse to speak of 1t!
You'll not be asked to. ma'am
You'll just be yourself and look on
and if you speak of anything it'll be
Of your own will. OF course you are
free free to accept my terms or not as you
'Tl1 accept" she laughed hysteri-
cally Il know when I'm beaten. and
you hold the cards. After all. it's
every one for themselves. isn't it? I'll
be ready for you. Mr.. McCarty. when
you come"
Dennis Riordan was almost i'll with
suspense when Just as he was going
OF duty that evening he was called
to the telephone.
"'Tis me, Denny" McCarty's voice
came to him over the wire. Hot
foot 1t around here to my rooms as
soon as you're dressed. for I'm taking
you out in society tonight for quiet
little game"
"Tll have none of it" Dennis de-
clared. The last time I sat In one
with you I lost everything but the
immortal soul Of me! where-have
you been this day?'
1--WE been stacking the cards,
Denny" There was grimly por-
tentous note in his tones. "I'm ready
now when my deal comes to open the
pot. but the Lord only knows what
will come with the turn Of the cardv'