The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-07-26
CHAPTER XII, What M. Jacques Said.

CHAPTER XI
 What M. Jacques Said.
 Down the stairs Helen hurried, not seeming to know where she was go- ing, And then on the last step she stopped. Her mind had been Hi- recting her steps to that second door leading into the cesfn dining room.
 The temptation to peek again was too strong to resist. She reached the second door and stopped. For a sec ond she fnesitated. Then her hand feli on the knob and she pulled gent ly. Startled. she drew back, as a man appeared. pulling the door after him. M. Jacques confronted her.
 "Is madame looking for some one % he asked. Perhaps it ees Mime. Wallace I address?'' s Helen clutched at her throat. "Yes," she stammered, but how how did you know me?' You were expected here tonight" Jacques said. "I-'' ''Then you know who it was that phoned me today? That mysterious friend" Helen gasped. "Who was it ?"
 Jacques looked bewi1dered. He saw that madame was trif1e upset. Your husband Is inside,' he said. ''WiH madame go in now2'' Helen clutched at his arm.
 ''No. He's not to know that I'm here. You seem to know all about this affair. and if that friend of mine Is in the dining room you haven't seen me, either. Do you understand ?" Jacques had grave fears that madame had been drinking. But madame-' he protested. "I haven't time to explain" Helen said. 'I'm in a private room upstairs h ry-in bag. I'll try to come down later and give you ten dollars. For Gods sake, don't let my husband or that friend know!"
 She hurried down the hall and Jacques looked after her. 'fSometheeng is up,'' he said, | "sometheeng is up. Oh, la. la. Mad ime is in private room with friend. She no wan her husband 10 know. Ten dollars" Jacques paused to do some mental arithmetic. Ut ees worth twenty at least to M. Wa1-lice. Yes, I go tell him. Jacques entered the diningroom l and beckoned Billy aside. Madame ees here.- he said. "My wife? ?'' Billy whispered. How l do you know?" q speak to her outside that door," | Jacques grinned. He placed his l mouth against Billy's ear. "She ees | upstairs with a friend, and she don't wan that you should know" Who's the friend, Jacques?' Jacques gave him a knowing look. "A man, of course," he said. She don't wan you to know. msieu'. Can't you see?'
 Billy's face turned white. The man, then, was a detective. Jacques he said. "could I peek | into that room without being seen? It's worth something. Jacoues.' Jacques shrugged his shoulders. EWhy not, m'sieu'? I'll go see if the room next is vacant. Jacques will take care of it, m'sieu'." He hurried away and Billy return ed to the table. My wife is here," he whispered. She's upstairs in a private dining room with some man." Both Mrs. Lane and Ruth looked l frightened.
 Do you think it is a detective ?" Ruth asked.
 Billy took out his handkerchief and mopped his brow. 'I don't know" he replied. "Jac- ques is going to see if I can look into | her room from the one next to it. If | it should be a detective the best thing we can do is to leave at once. I'm | afraid your plan, Mrs. Lane, has fail- ed"
 The old lady had regained her composure.
 Even if it is a detective" she ar gued, f'what can he do?" i There may be trouble" Billy an- | swered. And we might spend the | night in jail. If Helen becomes bois- l terous and there's a scene we can be | arrested on charge of disorderly | conduct"
 The old lady endeavored to quiet
 But your wife wouldn't do that" | she said.
 "Oh, wouldn't she? Well, you don't know her, Mrs. Lane. If shes | brought a detective she's come look | ing for trouble. and our little peace l gathering is likely to turn into 1 war"
 Ruth was becoming more nervous. l MT. Wallace is right" she said. | Her voice trembled, and the old lady
 reached over and patted ner hand | we mad better leave now, don't you | think?' she went On. "Pm afraid to
 turn around for fear that Roland's
 here and has been watching us.' | Hes not here.'' Billy said I've been keeping a sharp lookout" Suppose he should come with
 detective" Ruth gasped. 'sWe hadn't
 thought Of that. Come, let's go."
 Wait Billy said. Heres Jac-
 ques. Well. Jacques?"
 s'It is arranged. m-s1eu'," Jacques
 replied calmly. ..Fol1ow me-
 Billy rose.
 You're not going 10 leave us