The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1922-03-04

your mindp i cried. out with
it now. You know how COM
pletely / trust you. and rely upon
your judgment in this matter.
I'm not forgetting for a second
how wonderfully you managed
the affair OF tracing Dick West"
II managed wonderfully. did
II" he muttered. with a sugges.
ton of surliness. I'm saying
that I bungled the Job like the
cursed fool l am. Where's West
now, do you think? Why Is your
father hurt like this? Maybe
beat up by Dick or some Of his
pals for letting me catch sight OF
him. That's what I'm fearing.
You've no notion at all have you,
ma'am, how he came by his
hurts?"
NO" said. How could I
have7 The boy Stafford doesn't
know a thing. suppose he was
too badly ratified even. to get the
number of the taxi that brought
my father here. And l can't
cross-question a wounded man."
Lyons shook his head warily.
He appeared to be pondering-to
be digging up thoughts and dis
missing them almost as fast as
they came. Finally he spoke
slowly as IL he were feeling his
way.
Would you be afraid TO stay
here alone-without me. ma'am?"
"Of course not" / Wanted.
with Miss Sturgess. don't
think I'll be afraid to have you.
But I wish there was a man we
could trust. wish Mr.. Norreys
was here, ma'am
We'll be all right. What could
happen" l asked a trifle lmpa-
tiently. And perhaps that friend
ly young man can manage to come
up now and stand guard. Prob
ably Mr.. Rogers or the night man.
ager has come in by this time"
III trust no one-in this joint"
burst from Lyons.
What do you mean" l gasped.
gazing in establishment at the man
whose attitude OF being a well
trained servant had heretofore
kept out Of his voice the tone
which sounded in II now.
IT don't like the looks Of this
place, Mrs. Harrison. ] don't for
fair" murmured Lyons, APOLOGIZE.
cally. IL don't see why your father
has come hack here. don't see
why Dick West isn't with him. I'd
like TO know where West Is. I've
used up a lot more time now be-
cause / haven't the courage to go
ahead and do as l think. 1 wanted
to tell you to come down here In
the taxi with the kid, while
chased over to look up Mr.. Rich
ards at his swell hotel. II you're
not afraid now-Ill beat It,"
You ought to go-and quickly"
I cried. "I don't see why Dick has
deserted my father like this. Per
haps he felt he wasn't DESERVING
him. Perhaps they were both hurt
in some accident--or some brawl.
Perhaps they felt It would be safer
TO separate. Or Dick may have
known that my father could get the
best of care here-and that I'd be
sent for and see the poor old man
through. But some one ought to be
on Dick Vests trail"
You're sure you're not afraid?'
repeated byOnb7dt ohec oh~'oes
to be off and fearful to leave me.
I'm not afraid" l protested.
You'd better start at once"
I watched the man for a second
as he swung down the hall. He
he'd The bearing Of a free mana
man VINO 10 not afraid to look the
world in the face. There fitted
hack across my mind the memory
of the first time I had caught
GLIMPSE OF him. Walking on the
avenue with Bertha and fairly hid
ing behind her skirts.
After a moment l opened the
door cautiously and slipped into
my fathers room. He was lying
with his eyes closed as I'd left
him, and Carlotta was sitting
across the room absolutely motion
less with her eyes fixed on Dad
Lees face. \ tiptoed toward her,
ready to whisper an account Of
what had passed between Lyons
and me.
The story of this father Of mine
who had suddenly been conJured
UP like magic before Carlotta's
astonished eyes could wait until
another time. indeed was sure
that Carlotta would accept me with
my mystery and never question me
until I was ready to speak. ...- =
As I reached Cariotta's side the
door opened and In walked Mr..