Evening star., 1921-11-27

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stepped aside it seemed difhcult for
E;nn,,H Ksmnsy . to srins himsslf to spsix hs
plunged into an explanation.
"Coombs," he said, ''at one time in
my life. I was fool enough and cad
enough to write some letters to q
lady who had given me absolutely no
encouragement to do 10. They were
harmless In intent the mere outpour-
ings Of lovesick boy. but 30 open to
misconstruction that to have them
go astray might result in terrible
consequences"
He paused and drew his breath
sharply between his teeth. whether
! tion OF his folly it would have been
THESE letters were stolen by a
maid" he went on. who has finally
agreed to return them for q price.
and It was to meet her and close the
bargain that I was bound tonight
deuce Of 1t is" he writhed, that
she has threatened. unless I appear
promptly and pay over the sum de-
manded, she will dispose of the let
ters lowell. In another quarter"
IT'S simple enough. then, isn't It.
in your place. and after explaining
how you've been prevented from COM
Ing. tell her that she'll have to make
new appointment. If you'll just let
me know where you were to meet her.
and how to pick her out. I'll"
shes a suspicious creature. Shed
think was trying to play some trick
on her. and be apt to disappear as
she did before. I've been trying to
get in touch with her for months. you
see. She left the place where she
either through revenge or with the
idea of realizing on them. she took
these letters with her. Ever since
have been endeavoring to trace her.
I have advertised and employed prt-
Vate detectives and followed all sorts
this morning. when she sent me
letter arranging for q telephone con-
versation. in which she stated her
terms.
UhIO." he repeated emphaticalIy; Il
can't lose this chance. I must
have those letters. II I disappoint
her or ask for postponemsnt. there's
no telling what she'll do. I've got to
go. I tell you. I've got to get there"
Let me do 1t for you" offered
Coombs; that is. If you're not afraid
to trust me with the money"
Ramsey dismissed any idea Of that
sort with contemptuous sniff.
Coombs' honesty had been proved on
too many occasions. Nevertheless, he
shook his head.
"She insists on dealing with me in
person. She stipulated those two con-
alone"
Even SO. sir. it might be man
gently CENT persuasive. % HALF S the asGne time the the
people down at the apartment house
don't know which of US is which; the
hall boys are forever calling me Mr..
Ramsey. It's the clothes and the
general resemblance: and then. II I
do say 1t myself, sir. l have caught
meet this woman?" he added
Ramsey gave a street number not
more than a dozen blocks distant
from where they were.
TITS a drug store" he explained.
land I am to wait for her beside a
the circulating library"
That's easy" Coombs displayed a
mounting enthusiasm for the adven-
ture. Til stand with my face to-
W ard the books. picking them out Of
the case and glancing them over until
she shows up and comes toward me.
Then she'll either do business with
me or else III follow her and find
where she hangs but. Trust me not
to let her get away"
Ramsey pondered a moment. After
all, It was not so wild an expedient
as 1t sounded. He could remember
little of the maids appearance except
| that she was tail and light with gray
eyes. and was it not fair to suppose
that she remembered as little Of him
and might readily be deceived by the
more than casual likeness of Coombs
to himself? Faced by his disability
and in the absence Of any better sug-
gestion. he yielded reluctant consent
and handed over the envelope con-
tanning the money.
"Yod must be careful. though. and
make no mistake" he cautioned.
THE woman's name is Sands-Ella
Sands" And he added with this such
identifying data as he could recall.
coombs' attentions however. seemed
to be more concerned with the money
in the envelope. He was running his
thumb over the inclosed sheaf Of
bills as he counted them.
Five thousandw He glanced up.
"of course. It's steep. If it was
only myself that was threatened. I'd
see this Sands woman" He broke
of abrutly as he noted significant
tightening Of the lines about Coombs'
mouth.
But no haggling, mind" he ad-
jured sternly. IF she turns over the
letters, pay her and let her. go. There
are two Of them. in my handwriting,
and on my special note paper. You
can't make a mistake. After all. it's
a cheap enough price to pay for free:
dom from the sleepless nights and
all the anxiety and worry that the
things have been costing me.
"And now"-he glanced hurriedly
Just about time to get there"
."Oh. waltz He called Coombs back
as he started for the door. 1T seems
absurd. 1 know perfectly respecta.
BILE drug store in q quiet, residential
quarter. and in broad daylight-but
It has struck me that the thing may
possibly be a trap. There's a con.
now-between this woman and the
person I suspect Of responsibility for
those attacks against meI Better take
this with you" He opened his hand
to show a small automatic which he
had drawn from his coat pocket.
But Coombs backed away with q
quick shake Of the hand.
I'm safer without It, sir. They'd
get me just the same II that's the
idea. And having q weapon would
make 1t look black for mo in case OF
trouble. But there won't be any
trouble" he laughed reassuringly.
"I'll have my eyes peeled and my ears
open. and at the first funny move
it'll be safety first for me and a
So with a gay wave of the hand and
q nronoise tn be back in less than no