The Dolores star., 1923-09-28

| Missed.
Albert fell for II.
"Lord,- he murmured ecstatically.
Tuppence nodded at him with the
air of one who has established a
thorough understanding.
Know who I'm afterT' she inquired
genIally.
Albert, still round-eyed, demanded
breathlessly: "One OF the flats?"
Tuppence nodded and jerked
thumb up the stairs.
NO. 20. Calls herself vandemeyer.
Vandemeyer! Ha! hai"
Albert's hand stole to his pocket.
"A crooki" he queried eagerly.
"A crook, should say so. Ready
Rita. they call her in the States"
Ready Rita" repeated Albert de-
liriously. "Oh, amt 1t just like the
pictures! Annie always said as how
she was bad lot"
who's AnnleT' inquired Tuppence
Idly.
"'Ouse parlormaId. She's leaving
today. Many's the time Annles said
TO me: Mark my words, Albert,
wouldn't wonder II the police was to
come after her one Of these days
Just like that. But she's sumner
to look at, amt shef'
shes some peach" allowed Tup-
pence carelessly. Finds It useful
in her layout. you bet. Has she been
wearing any of the emeralds, by the
way?"
"Emeralds7 Them's the green
stones. ain't they?"
Tuppence nodded.
That's what we're after her for.
You know old man Rysdale, the oil
kingy
1T seems sort Of familiar to me-"
"The sparklers belonged to him.
Finest collection of emeralds in the
world. Worth n million dollars!"
'Lumme" came ecstatically from
Albert. ''It sounds more like the pic
lures every minute"
Tuppence smiled, gratified at the
success of her efforts.
1--WE haven't exactly proved II yet.
But we're after her. And"-she pro-
duced a long-drawn-out wink-T guess
she won't get away with the goods
this time"
Albert uttered another ejaculation
Indicative Of delight.
Mind you, sonny, not word of
this" said Tuppence suddenly. T
guess l oughtnt to have put you wise,
but In the States we know a real
smart lad when we see one. What's
this about the girl you say Is leav-
ingW
Annie? Regular turn-up, they 'ad."
An idea was dawning In Tup-
pence's brain. She thought minute
or two. then tapped Albert on the
shoulder.
"See here, son. my brains got busy.
How would 1t be II you mentioned
that you'd got young cousin, or a
friend Of yours had. that might suit
the place. You get meT
"I'm there" said Albert instantly.
You leave 1t to me, miss and I'll
fix the whole thing up in two ticks"
Some lad" commented Tuppence,
with a nod Of approval You let me
~.
tomorrow at eleven o'clock"
Where am I to let you know to?'
Ritz" replied Tuppence laconically.
Name of Cowley."
Albert eyed her enviously.
1T must be good job, this tee
business"
''1t sure Is" drawled Tuppence
especially when old man Rysdale
backs the bill. But don't fret, son.
If this goes well. you shall come in
on the ground floor"
With which promise she took leay.
or her new ally. and walked briskly
away from South Audley mansions.
well pleased with her mornings work.
She went straight back to the Ritz
and wrote a few brief words TO Mr.
Carter. Having dispatched this, and
Tommy not having yet returned
which did not surprise her-she start
ed off on shopping expedition. Start.
Ing with n cheap clothing store, and
passing through one or two second.
hand establishments, she had finished
the day at well-known hairdresser's.
Now, in the seclusion of her bedroom
she unwrapped that final purchase.
rive minutes later she smiled content
edly at her reflection in the glass.
with an actress pencil she had slight
iy altered the line of her eyebrows.
ana that. taken in conjunction with
the new luxuriant growth of fair hair
above, so changed her appearance that
she felt confident that even IL she
came face to face with Wilmington
ne would not recognize her. From
hospital experience she knew oplv foo
well that nurse out Of uniform I.
frequently unrecognized by her ma.
tients.