Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1922-04-02

AAo WI S"o oCC2SlOHBs apparently much
disappointed on finding mo away. She
left neither name nor message, but
said she would call again.
u Il +
THAT night I returned from the
club about II and sat reading till
past O'Clock, when suddenly my tele-
, phone rang.
"Ah" exclaimed a female voice, $50
you are back at last! I'm Stana!
May come and see you now?
know it's awfully late, but I will
explain"
"of course" I said. "But where
are you?"
"Oh. at call office not far away.
VIII you open your front door? And
do hope you will forgive me for
disturbing you. won't you?"
l laughed merrily, and then went
down and unbolted the door.
A quarter of an hour later she ar
rived-pale, even haggard, but very
demurely, almost shabby. dressed.
ut Is awfully good Of you!" she
faltered, as I shook her hand. Il
know I ought not to come here to
your rooms. and especially at this
hour" Then she asked apprehen-
sively: els anyone hereT'
mot a SOUL" I assured her as led
the way into my little den.
WELL" she exclaimed as soon as
she was seated. II feared to come
this evening. as they are ever watch
ing me. So had to wait until they
went to bed"
They" echor1 "Who are they?"
Louis and IA, er, my friends" She
said. "If they knew had come here
!! it would go hardly with me. But
have risked it because-becauss of
Eugene"
And who is Eugene?" I inquired.
looking straight across at her. fo- 1t
was evident that she was greatly
perturbed.
THE man hope very soon to
! marry. I followed him here from
Madrid"
wondered whether Eugene w@s
that handsome. artistic looking young
man who had met her brother and
the elder man in that restaurant in
Old Compton street. Yet to question
her would have been to have revealed
the fact that had been spying.
We'll, mademoiselle, cit seems you
are in distress. How can I assist
you" asked.
She seemed longing to tell me. yet
again she hesitated. At last she said:
IL do not care for myself in the
least. but-but I want you to save
him. because-because love him.
Save him from what?"
From committing a terrible deed
from death- was her answer. And
you cannot know what position I am
in! And not only myself. but you
! also, m'sieur! They have their sus-
picions. and hence you are marked
man. They are plotting to kill YOU"
What! These men Louis and
Xavier?" I asked in surprise. Il GER
tainly haven't anything against the
| interests Of either Of those two un-
known persons. Why should they
conspire against me-" I demanded in
| dismay.
But they have, I tell you! They
suspect that on our journey from
Paris I told you something; they be-
lieye that 1 may have betrayed their
secret"
you certainly have not" 1 said.
| But tell me at once about these two
men who are plotting my death"
Again she was silent, but at last
she said:
Louis Fontan and Xavier Ferraz."
I And your lovers name?"
Eugene Romero"
- RI
| suggest that I should act?" I asked.
greatly puzzled.
"A T the moment I am too confused
~ to say anything" she replied in a
strangely reflective tone. III by any
| means they learn that I have been
| here tonight. then I can hope for
| nothing further-only death! They
would kill me, and you also. m'sieur.
But" she went on. Il want you to
| help me, il you will" And she pro-
duced from her handbag a seaiel en-
velope. To-day is Tuesday" she wer:
on breathlessly. "1f you hear no word
from me by Friday at midnight. then
you will know that something evil
has befallen me, and that your life,
too, Is in serious jeopardy. If you
hear nothing at midnight. open this
not beforehand I beg of you to give
| me your word of honor"
ct will, mademoiselle," l replied.
Good. I can trust you to hep
Eugene and myself" she said. "Be
careful to conceal that envelope. for
| It contains a great secret l know
have done wrong, but-but I hope
for your forgiveness and to make
atonement"
took the white envelope and be-
fore her eyes locked it in my heavy
steel dispatch box.
Then she grasped my hand convul-
sively, and, accepting the glass of
wine I offered her-for her nerves
| were unstrung-she later on slipped
out into Ryder street. where she was
refused to allow me to accompany
her as being too dangerous"
The days went on. Friday dawned.
remained at home all day, awaiting
a ring on the telephone. but each
time I received a summons it was on
business from a publisher or a news
paper editor. Night came, and in
stead Of going out to dinner. my man
brought me in a cold meal. Each
moment that evening my anxiety in
creased. What could have happened
to my dainty little companion? Fur
Their, was my life really in jeopardy,
as she had alleged?
confess to creepy" feeling that