Evening star., 1921-06-24
Coffee" wrayson said. 'In the me

Coffee" Wrayson said. 'Tn the mean
| :me-'
| "If you like to order us a bottle of
champagne and tell the waiter to put it
on your bill. we shan't be offended"
Blanche declared. I'VE were just won
dering whether We could run to it."
| "You must do me the honor Of being
my guests for dinner also." Wrayson
good Of you to remember to write.''
| The friend murnured something about
it being very kind of the gentleman.
blanche shrugged her shoulders.
said. 1T wasn't that. But there. wait
until I've told you aoout it. It's an
odd story. and sometimes l wish I'd
never had anything to do with 1t. get
la cold Shiver every time / think of that
old man who took me to dine at Luigi's.
| Outside in three-Quarters OF an hour,
| them"
Il will keep some chairs and order
! Coffee Wrayson said. turning away.
| And bring, one Of your friends" !"
! harm. We sha' mt bite him.
II will bring them both," Wrayson
promised.
He went back to his own table and
people watched him curiously.
IT believe" he said quietly. as he
in the world who can put us on the
track Of those letters. 1t Is the lady
with whom have just been talking" :"
The baron looked across at the two
women with new interest.
What on earth have they got to
do with 1t. Wrayson?" he asked
"The fair one was friend of
Barnes" Wrayson answered. TT was
at her fiat that he called the night
he was murdered"
that the letters have not been found
yet by the other side?',
"Quite sure" the baron answered.
I'VE have agents In Mexonia, even
about the kings person. and we
should hear in an hour If they had
"Presuming. then" Duncan said
thoughtfully. that Barnes was mur-
dered for the sake Of these letters
and as he was murdered on the very
night he was going to hand them over
to the other side. 1 don't see what
appear TO have been committed by
some one on our side"
1T certainly does seem so," the
baron admitted
the agent cfor-the kings people. He,
too. was murdered! Earon"'
"wel?' 80
"Who killed Barnes? He robbed me
Of my right. but 7 want to know"
The baron shook his head.
II have no idea" he said gravely.
I'VE have agents in London. Of
course. but no one who would 60 to
such lengths. do not know who
killed Barnes, nor do know who
killed Bentham.' =.
There was q short silence. The bar
on's words were impressiyely spoken.
1t was impossible to doubt their We
racity. Yet both to Wrayson and to
Duncan they had serious import.
The same thought was present in the
avoided the others eyes. .Wrayson.
however. was not disposed to let the
matter go without one more effort,
The corners of his mouth frightened,
and he looked the baron steadily in
the face.
! Baron" he said.a II have told you
that there is man in London who
has set himself to solve the mystery
! of Barnes death. The two people
/ whom he would naturally suspect are
Miss Fitzmaurice and myself. There
against us. owing to, my silence at
: the inquest. and at any, moment we
might either of US have to face this
|: charge. Knowing this. do UNDER
stand you to say that, II the necessity
able ITO throw any light upon the
Absolutely" the baron declared.
Both those murders are as complete
an enigma to me as to you."
"So You have a,.: AGENTS It's in Londonr
"but they are In the nature Of de-
tectives only. They would not dream
Of going to such lengths. either with
instructions or without them. Neither.
am sure. would any one who was
employed to collect evidence upon the
other side"
There was no more to be said.
Wrayson rose to his feet a little alb
ruptly.,
THE air is sitting here" he said.
Let Us go outside and take our cof-
fee. - ;@5.<s.
Continued in .Tomorrovss atar