Evening star., 1923-08-30
CONTINUED From Yesterdays Starr
CHAPTER XXI.
Nemesis.

nemesis.
On the afternoon of the day fol-
lowing these events Amy and Greg
alighted from the tiivver at the door
of the Stickney Arms. Their pale
composed faces masked great inner
excitement, for they knew that Fran
cisco de Socotra was at home. 1t
had been Amys idea thus boldly to
beard him in his lair. Ever since
She had got up that morning the d.
rection of affairs had been in her
hands. Greg looked a the little crea-
ture with a new wonder and respect.
The hall-boy Frank received them
with a broad grin not unmixed with
slyness. The new clothes that Bes-
sic had got Amy made her look like
a bride perhaps. Clearly Franks eX-
p!anation of this visit was that they
were returning. married, for the
parental blessing. Therefore he
looked both disappointed and puzzled
when they sent up their names: Miss
Wilmot and Mr.. Parr. Word was
quickly returned that they were to
be shown up.
y new maid opened the door to
them, to whom they meant nothing.
They We're rushed into the hand
some living room of the apartment
where Senior and Sonora de Socotra
ly received into the other woman $
arms. who patted her and wept and
babbled incoherently. De Socotra, what
ever his feelings We're. received them
with happy parental smile that was
perfection. His welcome included
Greg. Not by the slightest sign did
he betray any consciousness of the
events of the night before.
Greg thought .grimly; He feels
that he can afford TO smile since the
nfl hi ti,,, n h.S
and the damning evidence of the little
black book destroyed too. Wait bit
old fellow
While Amy and Sonora dc Socotra
murmured together, Senior Francisco
made bland remarks on the weather.
his wicked eye twinkling at Greg as
if to invite him to enjoy the situation.
He offered Greg one of the incom-
parable cigars. Greg, rejecting that
all this was for the benefit of the
harmed no one, took it.
Last night pointed gun at
him and today he comes back with a
cigar" he thought. "Life,s funny
affair."
Amy saic to Greg deprecatingly: II
am lying o her, poor dear: am
telling her that l was so much better
today that they allowed me TO come
out for "A little while in your care
"Admirable." murmured de Socotra
ctUpld ut ScOCOlEd shy ls
smiled at Greg. and said something
to Amy that was evidently intended
to be repeated to him. There was a
charming. childlike quality in the lit
Z. tie lady that was wholly Irresistible
Amy said: She asks your pardon
that she cannot speak your language
she wishes me to thank YOU for
taking such good care of me
she thinks you're one of the keep
ers." chuckled de SoCotra.
Through Amy Greg made his best
conn liments to Sonora de Socotra.
Amy soon rose to go. Her adaptive
mother clung to her piteouSly and
would not let her so until Amy
promised to return the next day,
perhaps to stay" De Socotra &C
compa MED them into the hall, ex-
pecting. no doubt to learn there the
real object of his call. Nor was he
disappointed.
"FranciSco." said Amy coldly, "it
is necessary that Mr.. Parr and l dis
cuss with YOU what is to be done"
Come into my ROOM" said De So
cotra.
mo. we cannot talk here while
house. We want you to come to-us in
Gibbon street"
De Socotra elevated his finn =eye-
brows. THAT would be thruSting my
head into the lions mouth" he saiG
humorously.
Are you afraid?" taunted Amy.
My dear. the braveSt man has g
exercise ordinary prudence or tn