The Dolores star., 1923-10-19

wasn't ltf"
"Well, perhaps 1t was" admitted
Sir James gravely.
| well. / want TO know more. l
want TO know just why you gave me
hint"
Sir James smiled at her earnest
ness.
We'll, without prejudice, then, If |
had young sister forced to earn her
living. I should not like to see her in
Mrs: Vandemeyer's service. 1t is no
place for a young and inexperienced
girl. That is all l can tell you"
81 see," said Tuppence thoughtfully
Thank you very much. But I'm not
really inexperienced, you know. l
knew perfectly that she was bad lot
when l went there-as matter of
fact that's why l went" She broke
Off, seeing some bewilderment on the
lawyers face, and went on: Il think
perhaps I'd better tell you the whole
| story. Sir James. I've sort OF feel
ing that you'd know in a minute If
didn't tell the truth, and so you
might as well know all about it from
the beginning"
Yes, telr me all about It," said Sir
| James.
Thus encouraged, Tuppence plunged
into her tale. and the lawyer listened
| with close attention.
Very interesting" he said. when
she finished. "A great deal of what
you tell me, child, Is already known
to me. I've had certain theories of
my own about this Jane Finn. You've
done extraordinarily well so far, but
| It's rather too bad of-what do you
know him as?-Mr. Carter TO pitch
fork you two young things into an
affair of this kind. By the way. where
did Mr.. Hersheimmer come in origi-
nally? You didn't make that clear"
Julius answered for himself.
I'm James first cousin" he ey-
plained, returning the lawyers keen
gaze.
"Ah"
"Oh, Sir James," broke out Tup-
pence, what do you think has be-
come of Tommy
| HIM" The lawyer rose. and
| paced slowly up and down. when
you arrived, young lady, l was Just
packing up my traps. Going to Scot
land by the night train for n few days
fishing. But there are different kinds
of fishing. I've good mind to stay,
and see If we can't get on the track
Of that young chap"
"Oh" Tuppence clasped her hands
ecstatically.
"All the same, as I said before. It's
too bad of-of Carter to set YOU two
babies on job like this. Now, don't
| get offended, Miss-er-"
| "Cowley. Prudence Cowley. But
my friends call me Tuppence."
well, Miss Tuppence, then, as I'm
certainly going to be friend. Now,
about this young Tommy of yours.
Frankly, things look bad for him.
He's been butting in somewhere where
he wasn't wanted. Not n doubt of It.
But don't give up hope"
And you really will help us?
There, Julius! He didn't want me to
come" she added by way of explana-
tion.
HIM" said the lawyer, favoring
|
why was that?'
Il reckoned 1t would be no good
worrying you with petty little bust
ness like this"
| Il see.' He paused moment.
This petty little business, as you call
1t, bears directly on very big busi-
ness, bigger, perhaps, than either you
| Misc Tnnnnnaa 10 a.
Is alive, he may have very valuable
information to give us. Therefore, we
must find him. There's one person
quite near at hand who in all prob
ability knows where he Is, or at all
events where he is likely to be-Mrs.
vandemeyer."
Yes, but she'd never tell us"
| "Ah, that is where / come in. I
think 1t quite likely that I shall be
able to make Mrs. vandemeyer tell
me what I want to know"
'How?" demanded Tuppence, open
ing her eyes very wide.
"Oh, just by asking her aues-
tions," replied Sir James easily
That's the way we do 1t, you know"
He tapped with his finger on the
table, and Tuppence felt again the in
tense power that radiated from the
| man.
"hnd If she won't tellT" asked
Julius suddenly.
II think she will. I have one or
two powerful levers. Still, In that
unlikely event. there is always the
possibility Of bribery"
"Sure. And that's where I come
inH' cried julius, bringing his fist
down on the table with a bang. "You
can count on me, II necessary, for
one million dollars. Yes, sir one
million dollars."
Sir James sat down and subjected
julius to a long scrutiny.
"Mr. Hersheimmer," he said at last,
"that is a very large sum. At the
present rate of exchange 1t amounts
to considerably over two hundred