Evening star., 1923-01-29

III L 1A>I L RE lINEtIi'
The door was opned by Coughlin.
who was confronted by Worthington,
the manager of the hotel. WorthinG-
ton made no attempt to conceal his
agitation.
Come in, Mr. Worthington," said
Coughlin. We'll have the room
cleared for you in a few minutes"
What the devil does all this mean?'
the manager demanded. Il had eX-
pccted rather better of you, Cough
lin. There's police wagon at the
door, and the driver tells me you are
going to take the body to the morgue
F. ut once. Cart the removal be post
poned. as in other cases. until our
guests are il, their beds and out of
NO, Mr.. Warrington" Towndrow
answered. 'fhere are reasons that
make it imperative that the removal
should be effected at once"
Vt length, finding his protests vain
tn" manager left. the room. shortly
afterward. Rennison, directing his
companionsito await his return, also
went out. He was the only passen-
ger in the elevator that took him to
the first flor There he went to the
hotel desk and addressed the clerk
This man was johnson, who had as
signed thh room to Charming earlier
i'll the dat. To Johnson RenniSon was
known IS an Army officer, and the
clerk had marveled to see him go TO
tho fourth floor with the coroner,
Coughlih and a secret service man.
.tohnsog nodded as Rennison ap-
proachsd
Mr.. johnson. / will have to spend
the night at this hotel and would
like room on the fourth floor" Rem
nison explained.
The clerk, after glancing at his
room board. shook his head.
Tn sorry, captain, but all the
rooms on the fourth floor are occu-
pied-except, of course, the one you
know about"
II do not want that one"
"All tho others are taken, sir. a
room on another floor would not do?'
NO. 1t must be on the fourth.
How soon will you have one olsen
Kiged?"
That Is rather difficult to say, cap
tain," replied the clerk, again glanc-
ing at his board. There's one,
tnough-an inside room. No. 412-th at
nay be given up tonight"
AT what time would 1t be likely
% be available?"
Once more the clerk shook his head.
Then, turning, he went to the boxes
In which letters and keys were de-
. posted After thrusting his fingers
into that marked 412 he addressed
The key is gone, sir, and it is
probable that the lady will occupy
the room all night"
oh it's IL lady, eh"'
One of the male guests of the hotel
now requested his letters and room
key. As tho clerk turned to get them
Rennison scanned the open pages OF
the register.
wv hat is the ady's name" he ask
ed when Johnson returned.
The clerk hesitated; then. seeing
that Renuison was looking down one
"t the room columns of the register,
he said coldly:
she did not register. Capt. Renni-
SON
why not"
The manner of the clerk grew
frigid.
You surely know. captain, that in
corning guests is not given out by
employees of reputable hotels
. Renns son. nodding, smiled family as
he repied
You are quite right. Mr.. Johnson.
] stand corrected and ask your par
GUn."
Having thus spoken. Rcnnison turn
cd away and went leisurcly to the
privat office Of the manager. The
door ras open. but the room was un
occupied. Five minutes later the
manlger, still rcrturbed, hurried in.
Ren1ison was seated beside his desk.
"'Relievc me. Mr.. Worthington. am
ycrT sorry It was necessary to remove
the body at this hour" Rennison said
cortritely. "It could not be avoided
however"
We'll, all went off better than |
dared hope Worthiugton replied. As
fn wiped his forehead with hand
kcrchief. ''SIngularly enough at this
iour, none of our guests were in the
hall and the strctcher reached the
freight elevator without being OBJ
served. Thence we got it down to
the court behind the hotel. I'm glad
all is over. But how does it happen.
captain. that you appear so interested
in the case? Claiming was not
relative OF yours, I hope"
''Or :in Army man."
NO. He was Il man in whom the
government had marked interest,
however
II might have inferred as much
from tho manner in which Towndrow
"f the secret service seemed to be
directing things We'll, anyhow. I'm
:lad the thing is over. so far as the
" "ymoutlshire is concerned"
Rising deliberately, Rennison cross
I'd to the door and closed it.
II am sorry, Mr.. Worthington, that
still am unable to congratulate the
Neymouthshire on being quite done
with the affair."" he said as he re-
seated himself.
The color fed from the managers