Omaha daily bee., 1921-08-21


Of Mrs. Purdy it was enough. Her name
would be in the papers. Indeed, on the way
out two newspaper photographers took snap
shots Of herself and Tommy, standing proud
ly on the steps Of headquarters. Mrs. Purdy,
on a slim foundation, had builded for herself
structure Of fame. 1t might be transient,
but it would be unforgettable. She was un-
wontedly kind to Tommy for whole twenty
four hour period.
Jenkins smiled after they left. Tommy's
clew amounted to no clew at all. More than
one hundred thousand automobiles in the
state Of New York bore license plates that
began with the figure L." And one in
every ten cars bore plate whose number
ended with that agure. To find out how
many Of them were owned by the residents
of Hllstown was possible, Of course. But it
was absurd to try. Still, was 1t? The
slightest clew might lead to undreamed Of
results.
The Hillstovn police department, as a
check upon the activities of motor bandits
had compiled a list Of all cars owned by resi-
dents OF the town. Jenkins detailed a couple
Of men to prepare a list Of licenses that
began and ended with the primary figure.
Then, because it was getting along toward
the dinner hour, he went home. Opposite
the station he spied the figure Of his good
friend Spenser Bourke He offered him a
ride home, and, because Bourke chaffed him
on the failure, thus far of the police to ap-
prehend the criminal Jenkins stated that he
was sure of capturing the second woman.
He didn't tell Bourks why: but he meant. Of
course. that when the missing letter was
recovered he expected 10 have evidence Of
value.
He had not yet despaired Of finding that
letter. But a small envelope that may oe
anywhere in a radius OF a quarter OF a mile.
In heavily wooded territory, is almost IS
safe from observation ss a pebble On the
ocean bed. Nevertheless. his men wrul1 not
give up for a while yet.
He kept bachelor quarters, presided over
by an impeccabIe English butler uasd 70
master who announcej the coming ef guess
without warning. So. On the impulse he in.
vited the Bourakes to dinner. Wach he AZ
rived home he casually told t1s hu:lo OF tae
invitation, and !eisureiy bathsd and c.as.-sec
his clothing. 1t was comfortable lie, and
he never expected to change It Good looA-
ing, in healthy sort Of fashion, with big 1.oss
and broad mouth, and eyes that women
termed "nce." more than one young ssfl Of
Hillstown might have been persuaded tc &C
cept share Of his name. place. and patrt.
mony. But he had been too intent upon his
procession to pay much attention to girls.
Anyway, he preferred married women. One
didn't have to f1irt with them; il they bored
one, it was easy not to call again. utthn1t
thought Of explanation.
He was an extremely popular man with the
younger married set of Hillstown. So that
when Frank Merriman, cashier and vice
president Of one of the local banks, tele-
phoned. shortly before dinner, and an
nounced that he and his wife we're going to
drop over later in the evening, end were 60
ing to bring with them young 1crcap who
was house guest, for r game ac hrcd9e.
Jenkins responded with certiatfty.
"You and your guest, F-snl," he said,
"can play With the BoUrkes. They're dintns
with me. I'll talk to your wife,
Fair enough" said Merriam. "Only
Alice thinks that Miss Harr.ns.op has 8
chance Of breaking down ycrr b.c.-ahcr te-
fenses. warn you-shes q peach"
Sos Mrs. Mer-iman," rcJo!ne6 yerAins.
imperturbably. A pleasant ssails Was on his
face as he hung up. 1t wx.s sttl there when
he greeted the Bourkes.
He knew and liked very much Spsnser
Bourke. He wasn't as well acquainted with
Allayne Although they saw enough Of each
Bourkes casually, and for them to feel free to
accept as casually he never felt eny degree
Of intimacy with Allayne; opch &C, for tn
stance. he telt With Mrs. Ec-cAnSN. or 'lsis
dozen af tbe othas young n.atrnns CT li!,g-
tr~..
EAA - kasniTed hot. Si.s ssAoa' to have