Evening star., 1922-04-16
The Secret of the Jade Beads-By William LeQueax

| announced that she was going on a
business journey for the count to
Berlin that night and that she would
probably be away for q week.
II shall be at the Esplenade." she
added. IF you are going to Berlin,
perhaps we may meet"
"It is my intention to go on to
Cologne tomorrow" / said, "and then
to Berlin. I shall be at the Adion on
Thursday"
Good! We may spend an evening
together. eh?" she suggested. And,
naturally, I eagerly agreed.
On Thursday night we dined to-
gether at Kempinski's. in the Leip-
zigerstrasse, and afterward went 10
the Walhalla.
On our way back to her hotel In
taxi I mentioned the increasing cost
Of everything, whereupon she sighed
and said quite frankly:
"Of late I've lost quite half my in
come. and-well, really. to tell you
the truth, I'm internally hard up"
expressed regret. and It was upon
the tip OF my tongue to point out to
her an easy way into smoother finan-
cial waters But my courage failed
me.
II only wish I could resign from my
post with that hateful man, Won Stu
bel" she went on. while he was one
of my admirers it was all very we'll
but now!" And she shrugged FER
shoulders and sighed again.
I recollected the report OF Pion-
how her creditors were pressing her.
and how her jewelry was In pawn.
Dare I take my courage IN both
hands and tell her the real object Of
my visit?
We were already at the hotel, so
there was no opportunity. / followed
her into the great palm court, shook
her hand, and left, first, however.
promising to meet her on the follow
ing day.
This I did. but got no farther.
dared not say a word, for fear she
should turn upon me and denounce
me.
That night, however. as sat in my
room thinking 1t all over, suddenly
thought of a plan.
Next morning I took her for . stroll
in the Tiergarten, and while we sat
together on chairs I watched the ex-
preston of her countenance as I said:
You liked my friend, Dick Gretton.
But would you still like him IL I told
you that he is an agent of the United
States secret service, and that his
duty is to make payments to those
who assist him in obtaining informa-
tion?"
Her eyes narrowed slightly. and she
replied:
well, after all, mans profession
does not make much difference, does
it, as long as he is straight and hon
orable. Does he make big payments?'
Yes, very large ones sometimes"
7 answered, for it struck me that 1t
had aroused in her mind just the idea
that 1 desired to create. And if you
did not hold the position you do and
were less independent he might have
suggested to you an easy way Of MAX
| ing money, madame" I said, looking
very straight at her.
| HE would not dare to do that" she
retorted.
MO. 1 have told you so; otherwise
~ he would have spoken to you il
1 Palermo" said. HE. of course. doe!
not know that you hate Won Stubel ol
that your income is reduced. II vol
permit it. and wish it-well, I vii
tell him SO when next we meet"
"That is a rather strange question
Of yours, m'sieur." she said. DO yol
really mean it,"
"Of course do"
"Ah! But I must have time t
think" she said. suddenly rising from
her seat. I'LL can't give you al
answer now."
"when?"
Perhaps tomorrow" she replied
Let us go back to the hotel. / wan
to be alone and think-think what l
would all mean"
"It would mean, madame, that in re
turn for your assistance you woul'
gain a fine income and have the pro
lection of the United States-or o
France"
Il would prefer the latter. I low
the French. Remember. I am no
German" she said.
And we strolled out Of the park an
took a taxi to the Esplenade Hotel.
When / left her I was at first yer.
satisfied with my progress, but late
that evening I fell wondering whethe
her refusal to give me an answer wa
in order to communicate with tn
police.
Next afternoon called for her in ;
taxi, and as we drove along the Unite
den Linden / asked for her reply.
She paused.
Yes" she replied in low. straine,
voice: "yes. you may tell your friend
1 will see him in. France, II h
wishes"
My heart leaped with JOY.
! every well." I said. But you tol,
me you would rather serve tn
French. II so, will you come to Pari
for a weeks holiday, and I will en-
deavor to arrange it?"
"You?" she gasped. staring at me
"Do you arrange such things also?"
Come to Paris and see!" I laughed
Every well, m'steur. WILL" was he
reply. "On Monday week, at tn
Hotel Chatham"
At ten o'clock that night I was IL
the express for Paris, and next da!
made a full report at the Quai dor
say.
TT is useless to give in actual detail