Evening star., 1923-01-31

| tain OF our society men and that IL
once was reported she was engaged
to that fool Italian prince who dis
appeared so suddenly from Newport
and the country. But have the best
| easons In the world for being satis-
Ned that in her life there has been
nothing that would merit a word or
sseproaeh: There Is not a phase OF
admirable"
Leaning forward. with his elbows
on the arms of his chair. Rennison
was gazing moodtIy at the foor;
OF course" Storrow suggested.
AS Rennison's silence was main
tanned, a flush OF resentment stole
slowly over the face Of the idler.
This sort of thing is unlike you,
Rem he muttered. "but II you know
Dropping slowly back in his chair
again. Rennison regarded his COM
panion coldiy.
"Storrow." he began. when we met
rooms ] told you that you would find
IT to your advantage to leave town
on the $50 train tomorrow afternoon,
with Canada as your destination"
"Oh, yes, you did make some such
suggestion" replied Storrow, whose
Wrathfully.
'It is unfortunate that / made It too
late:" Rennison mutterely grimly.
True, Storrow assented. "!nas-
much as Miss Warburton is In wash
ington and expects to remain here
for some weeks. 1t is only natural
that ] should be disinclined to leave
the city at present" ~
1T was not TO this fact that 7 re-
ferred when | said my suggestion to
you came too late. There Is a situ-
alton far more serious that now will
detain you here
Indeed exclaimed Storrow coldly.
Yes. When | spoke to you on the
subject this afternoon I explained
that my motive in doing SO was TO
keep you out of serious trouble; that
you are a blunderer and that you are
Keeping dangerous company. You
unconsciously absorb certain sorts OF
information which may appear inRp-
cent enough until 1t is conveyed. I'm
your gossipy manner, to the wrong
persons"
DO you mean to insinuate. Rerni-
| son. that ! am fool; that my patriot
ism is not as untarnished as your
own?" Storrow demanded angrily.
II have no reflection whatever to
make on your patriotism, Storrow."
Rennison replied. But / am COM
PEELED to assert, most unequivoeaiiy.
that you are fool"
Storrow nodded. then rose. stiffiy.
His face was tense and pale.
That's all, l think. Rennison," he
said II am sorry that our pleasant
relations should end go unfortunately.
am sorry, too. that. in bidding you
good might, cannot offer YOU my
hand"
Rennison. ignoring the hint. did not
rise from his chair. Looking
thoughtfuliy at his cigar. he said:
My language. Storrow, is not more
plain than my proof"
proof that ! have been fool. ?"
exclaimed Storrow bitterly, as, fold
ing his arms. he leaned against the
table. We'll. I'll not deny that l am
curious. Let us have it. then.
You shall have il. You will re-
member that while l was with you
this afternoon 7 was called to the
telephone. When 7 left the instru-
mant 1 told you my departure from
Washington would be delayed
"The delay was due to the fact that
there just had heen committed in one
of the big hotels in this city. by a
person who apparently was an agent
Of Seafalcon's Brotherhood. one of the
most daring and mysterious crimes
this country ever has known. II con-
sisted OF murder and robbery. The
motive of the crime was obvious. for
taken a document that was of vital
importance TO certain plans of the
Unnited states government. The. loss
or this document means not only the
sacrifice of thousands Of American
lives. but it's possession by Seafal-
con may secure for him absolute SUI
premcy on the seas"
Great heaven. Rem" Storrow ex-
claimed. and there was a note OF
genuine concern in the new interest
that now found expression In his
voice and on his features But
scarcely had the exclamation left his
lips when a puzzled frown came to his
face. and he added: This is a des-
perately serious situation. of course.
Rennison: but why should you cite
the commission of such crime as
incident to what you regard as proof
of my tendency to acts of follyf'
You will underst a nd, my dear Stor-
row. that ii is very much in point
when I tell YOU that there is every
reason to believe that this missing
document has been for several hours
in your possession-ff. indeed, Il Is
not In your possession now"
CONTINUED in Tomorrow's Star.)