Evening star., 1921-09-04

to keep us out of any mess on your
account, as you are SO confident he
will. why doesn't he do 1t and not
force himself on US? 1 don't like 1t.
and no more does Doug. Have you
seen himT'
O'Rourke nodded.
Hes like bear with a sore head.
Somebody has been poking a nose
into his private affairs and I've never
ms work. a cut IN ous such ar Tsse "a make h%
realize that 1t was to the interest OF
all of US to be diplomatic tonight and
extend a glad hand to our friends OF
the police department He promised
finally that he would come"
"Who are the other two McCarty is
asked Cutter. TT wouldn't surprise
me to see the district attorney and
the head of the vice committee
"Oh, nothing like that" o'Rourke
laughed. He didn't say; but think
we can safely leave the personnel OF
the party to his discretion. There they
are now, or Waverly."
The muffled thud Of the knocker had
come family to their ears through the
opened>door and Cutter-rose without
word and led the way toward the back
of the house, to the glass-inclosed ex-
tension which jutted out into the
yard
The apartment was a familiar one
to O'Rourke and he stood little to
one side conversing with his host in
low tone as the old man servant threw
open the doors and admitted the Wis
itors.
This is pleasure. Mr.. McCarty.
/ assure you" Cutter advanced to the
foremost of the arrivals and held out
his hand. "If you had told me when
were devotee of our national indoor
game would have gladly extended an
invitation to you to join US any time.
We play quite frequently. you know.
McCarty's eyes twinAled with
amusement at the Audacity of his
nifty to present his companions.
This Is Inspector Druet, Mr.. Cut
ter, and an old friend of mine. Denis
Riordan, who is not connected with
the force. Mr.. Terhune I'm thinking
you know"
knowledged somewhat wryly. as he
shook hands. II am glad to welcome
you. gentlemen: you know Mr..
O'Rourke. I think"
McCarty drew the latter gentleman
aside under cover Of the general con-
versation which Immediately followed
and asked.
Where is Mr.. Waverly?"
expect him any minute" O'Rourke
looked at the other auizzically. Say.
do you know anything about what
made him SO angry today?
Was he upset like?" McCarty
II thought he'd have fit! You
warned me over the phone that he
would be in a bad humor. you know.
and thought you must be at the bot
Timmie, that Cutter doesn't half like
the idea of this little party tonight:
he is afraid you are up to some trick,
but I assured him that you wouldn't
try anything Of that sort on a friend
Of mine"
tone as though he were asking q
question and McCarty responded to 1t
gravely.
TT is a. trick. in a way. sir, and
I'm bound to admit 1t, but 1t has MOTH
ing to do with the games that's been
matter entirely. and this was the only
way to come at the truth"
"A more serious matter? O'Rourke
repeated. Good God, you don't mean
anything to do with crevelins's
death?"
McCarty nodded slowly.
I'm telling you this in strict con-
fidence, sir, not only because it's your
due since you helped US arrange this
little party. but because I want you to
sit tight and say or do nothing no
matter what Is said or done that you
alize that we've a purpose behind 1t
all and wait till we can explain more
fully" He paused and added in a
still lower but most impressive tone:
you see. we know who killed Mr..
Creveling. but we don't know why.
we need in the chain against the
guilty person. We've got to get the
truth out Of him even If It takes a
hell of a scare to make him come
across. You understand?
"Yes. think I do. Timmie. but was
was infinite reproach and chagrin in
O'Rourke's tones.
"'Tis to keep you all out Of any
thing further that I've asked you to
be here tonight" McCarty responded.
"Waverly'll get the scare here. but
private, and it'll let the rest out that's
here. I'm keeping my promise to you
and doing wl1atever's in my power to
prevent trouble from coming to all
of you"
-, "nysning; everybody. Have kept
They all turned with one accord to
the door. to find Douglas Waverly
standing on the threshold. He ap-
peared composed and tried to smile.
but a faint. mottled flush was visible
upon his fiabby countenance and the
veins Of his forehead stood out like
whipcords. Nodding with cool assur-
ance to McCarty, he acknowledged the
Introduction to the others civilly
enough and turned to the baize-cov-
cred table where Cutter had already
seated himself and was busily en-
CARED in stacking up the ivory chips
The latter looked up with a smile
of welcome, which quickly changed to
q look of concern.
Hello. Doug! Anything the mat
ter? You look a little seedy. You're
not i'll, are you?"
Waverly shook his head. but one
pudgy hand went to the left breast
of his shirt front.
"Just touch of the old trouble. but
it's been giving me some rotten
twinges today" he admitted. TIL be
all right, of course: I've been run
ming the old engine too long on high.
I expect. What's the limit tonight? :?
Well have to pike, I suppose"
"Sit beside me. sir. on my left"
McCarty said in a hurried undertone
to O'Rourke as they ell moved toward
the table.
Continued in Tomorrow's Star.)
nav ~ - a n-x1~ --~ .~s~x~.~>