Evening star., 1921-08-28

of clothing were strewn about. and
in one corner lay a pair of dumbbells.
The windows were open top and
bottom. Malcolm Sage passed from
one to the other and looked out. He
examined carefully each of the win
dow-ledges.
"Are these the clothes he wore
when he got up?" he inquired. indi-
eating a sweater and a pair of fan
mel trousers that lay on u chair.
ALI Pond nodded.
A minute later Malcolm Sage left
the room. followed by the others.
Descending the stairs. he passed along
the hall and out on to the short drive.
accompanied by Mr.. Doulton and ALI
Pond.
You will hear from me some time
today or tomorrow, he said DO
telephone before tomorrow evening.
60 to the Olympia as if Burns were
to be there. You might have sent
out to my car pair of drawers and
boots in case l fnd him."
you're going to find him then?'
All Pond suddenly gripped Malcolm
Sage's arm with what was almost
III you do as ! tell you. it will
help. BY the way" he added. "if you
have time. you might put twenty
five pounds on Burns for me. Mr..
DOultOn Will De rcapohSipic 1or Tue
amount. Now l want to look about"
For some minutes he stood in the
center of the drive. looking about him.
Stepping to the right. he glanced
back at the house. and then toward
the road. Finally he made for large
tween the road and the house.
Going down upon his knees. he pro-
ceeded to examine the ground with
great care and attention. For nearly
half an~hour he crawled from place
to place. absorbed in grass. shrub and
aower-bed., Finally he penetrated half
into the privet hedge that bordered the
road.
Presently Malcolm Sage emerged
from the hedge, in his hand long
cigar, round the center of which was
a red-and-gold band. For fully a
great care. Then. taking a letter
case from his pocket. he carefully
placed the cigar In the hinge, re-
turned the case to his pocket. and
rejoined the group of wide-eyed spec
tators.
turning to Aif Pond, does Burns
happen to smoke long Havana cigars
with a red
Smoke" yelled ALI Pond in horror
barmy?" he demanded. I'D like to
see the man who'd SO much as dare
to strike match here"
I'm afraid Pond is rather excited
just at present." said Mr.. Doulton
tactfully. BURNS Is great lover of
tobacco, and Pond takes no risks. You
discovered something?"
For one thing, Burns left his room
last night to meet woman BY
Its a lie!" cried ALI Pond heat
edly. IT'S a lie! I. don't believe it,"
I'll ring you up later. said NAL
fo
stay now" And with that he hur-
ried away.
Back along your own tracks,
Tins" said he on reaching the car.
He then walked on to the main road.
With head over right shoulder,
Tins carefully backed the car. NAL
colin Sage signaling that he was to
turn to the right
Instructing Tins to drive slowly.
Malcolm Sage took his seat beside
him. keeping his eyes fixed upon the
car at each cross-road. and walked
down it some twenty or thirty yards.
his eyes bent downward as II in
search of something. At the end of
half an hour he instructed Tins to
speed.
NEVER had the Olympia seen such
q crowd as was gathered to
watch the fight between Charley
Burns of England and Joe Jefferson of
America. Never in its career of hy-
brid ugliness had 1t witnessed such
excitement.
For thirty-six hours the widest
rumors had been current. Charley
Burns had broken down. run away,
committed suicide and refused to
fight. He had broken leg. an arm,
q finger, and had torn more tendons
than he possessed. He had sprained
ankles, wrung withers. been over
trained, had contracted every known
disease In addition to manifesting a
yellow streak.
The atmosphere was electrical. The
spectators whispered among them
solves, exchanging views and fumors.
The most fantastic stories were re-
lated. credited and debated with grav-
ity and concern. :
If some ill-advised optimist ven-
tured to question particularly
lugubrious statement he was chal-
lenged to explain the betting. which
had crept up to six to one on Jeffer-
son offered, with no takers.
The arrival Of the Prince of Wales
gave q welcome vent for pent-up ex-
citement. Accustomed as he was to
enthusiastic acclamation. the prince
seemed a little embarrassed by the
warmth and intensity Of his greeting.