Evening star., 1923-07-09

two visitors exchange puzzled
glances.
Needless to say, sir" he added.
I'VE are not self-supporting. We have
very generous patrons"
II have heard my brother speak of
this place as being quite wonderful"
Wilmore remarked. but had no idea
that it was upon this scale"
rs your brother a MEMBER" the
man asked.
"He is. To tell you the truth. we
came here to ask you question about
him."
What is his name?''
Reginald Wilmore. He was here, 1
/ think, last Wednesday night"
While Wilmore talked. Francis
! watched. He was conscious of a curl
| Gus change in the mans department
at the mention of Reginald Wilmores
| name. From being full of bumptious,
almost condescending good nature. his
| expression had changed into one of
| stony incivility. There was something
almost sinister in the tightly closed
| lips and the suspicious CLEAN in his
| eyes.
What questions did you wish to
| ask 2" he demanded.
/ ''Mr. Reginald Wilmore has disap-
peared," Francis explained simply
| ''He came here on leaving the office
last Monday. He has not been seen
! or nearQ OF since.
| "Well?" the manager asked.
! I'VE came to ask whether you hap
| pen to remember his being here on
| that evening, and whether he gave
any one here any indication of his
J future movements. We thought. per-
| haps, that the instructor who was
with him might have some informa-
! ton"
| Not a chance" was the uncompro-
missing reply. IT remember Mr.. Will
more being here perfectly. He was
doing double turns on the high bar.
. saw more of him myself than any one
| l was with him when he went down
\ to have his SWIM"
| Did he seem in his usual spirits?"
Wilmore ventured.
| Il don't notice what spirits my pu-
pills are in the man answered. a lit
| tie insolently. There was nothing
the matter with him so far as 1
/ know"
He didn't say anything about go
| ing away?'
| Not a word. You'll excuse me. gen.
| tlemen-''
One moment" Francis interrupted.
| I'VE came here ourselves sooner than
| send a detective. Inquiries are bound
| to be made as to the young mans dis
| appearance. and we have reason to
| know that this is the last place at
! which he was heard Of 1t is not un-
1
| should come to you for information" ?"
| Reasonable or unreasonable I
haven't got any" the man declared
| grutfiy. If Mr.. Wilmore's cleared out.
| he's cleared out for some reason of
: his own. It's not my business and I
don't know anything about it."
You understand" Francis persist
| ed. that our interest in young Mr.
Wilmore is entirely a friendly one?"
Il don't care whether it's friendly
or unfriendly. 1 tell you 1 don't know
anything about him. And" he added.
pressing his thumb upon the button
for the lift. III wish you two gentle
men good afternoon. I've business to
attend to-
Francis looked at him curiousIy.
Haven't l seen you somewhere
before?" he asked, little abruptly.
Il can't say. My name is John Mac
lane"
Heavyweight champion about seven
years ago?
Il was" the man acknowledged.
You may have seen me in the ring
Now, gentlemen, if you please"
The lift had stopped opposite to
them. The managers gesture of dis
missal was final.
Il am sorry, MIR. Maclane, if we have
annoyed you with our questions"
Francis said. Il wish you could re-
member little more of Mr.. wilmore's
last visit"
Well, 1 can't, and that's all there
is to it," was the blunt reply LAS to
being annoyed. L am only annoyed
when my times wasted. Take these
gents down, Jim. Good afternoon
The door was slammed to and they
shot downward. Francis turned to
the lift man.
DO you know Mr.. Wilmore who
comes here sometimes?" he asked.
Not likely" the man scoffed.