Evening star., 1923-08-12

clothing store where you can get
quick service"
Tho man put on the brakes almost
imm ediately. and Priscilla got out
and, when Paul followed her to the
door OF the clothing store, she told
salesman to show a gray business suit
to the gentleman.
The salesman supposed the gentle
man was the lady's husband, and
Paul let II go at that; he took a gray,
sack suit into a dressing room, put II
on and appeared again to Priscilla.
who instantly approved and paid for
the suit and also for a cap TO match.
Paul followed her to the cab. He
felt like a little boy and did not mind
much. There was a charming spirit
Of give and take about this vigorous
girl which was markedly unusual:
and now II was her turn to take
again.
You get out here" Paul said.
stopping the cab block from the
Touraine. Wait In that doorway for
me. II don't come back in twenty
minutes. go to the airplane; I'll meet
you there"
"AlI right" she accepted and gave
him her hand as she got out. Good
luck"
Reaching the Touraine. he paid OF
the cab, crossed the hotel lobby and
examined the register. The time was
Z minutes TO 4.
No Shelby Selkirk" was among the
names upon the days page, so Paul
deliberately put one there.
The clerk, reading the name upside
down, heartily welcomed the guest:
Glad see you, Mr.. Selkirk: tele-
gram and special delivery mail here
for you, sir"
Paul had feeling that his enemy
Shell had come in just In time to hear
that hearty welcome; that man had
suddenly stopped and was standing
back. watching.
I'll shave them" said Paul to the
clerk.
There were one telegram and two
special delivery packages one
large, brown envelope addressed by
typewriter. The other was also an
envelope, white In color. somewhat
larger and with thick, Arm in
closure: this was addressed In Wig
orous feminine hand. Neither bore
In Chicago.
There was so little doubt In Paurs
mind that the white envelope was the
one Priscilla wanted, that he imme-
diately put that In the inner pocket
of the coat she had bought for him.
He had at least to open the telegram
to maintain any pretense OF being Mr.,
Seikirk.
Buy sheep and spot cotton" il said
tersely; IL was signed "Firey" and
had been dispatched at o'clock from
Chicago 1t struck Paul Cranston
that there was something queer in
the fact that the man who had
stopped behind him was still merely
watching him.
That's Selkirk," Paul warned him
self and turning. felt sure of II.
"Shel' was really a beautiful per-
son OF about twenty-eight. lie wore
a perfectly tailored gray suit and a
gray felt hat, reminding Paul that
Priscilla preferred gray. His pale
gray eyes were intently observing
Paul and tho opened telegram and the
Unopened mail. But he did nothing
more; he merely stood there and OBJ
served
Paul thrust the telegram into his
pocket and turned back to the desk
for the other large, weil-filed en-
veiope OF Mr.. Seikirk's mail and
thrust II also into pocket.
k$
DAUL started from the Touraine In
/ the direction Of the doorway where
he was to meet Priscilla, but swung
abruptly to the right and went down
another street.
Mr. Selkirk followed and he did
nothing more until Paul approached a
large and rather old building with an
"ofice for Rent" sign beside the
door; then Mr.. Selkirk suddenly has
tened UP beside Paul.
DO you want to step In here q
ninute?" he asked. mildly.
Certainly" Paul accepted and
stepped into the entry where q partly
open door In the rear disclosed a
deserted ONCE. Mr.. Seikirk looked at
this and looked at Paul. who nodded.
II Mr.. Selkirk preferred settlement Of
their affair In that private place, Paul
was willing; and when Mr.. Selkirk
politely waited and motioned Paul to
precede him into the empty room,
Paul. did % and In the next instant
sank unconscious to the floor.
He realised. when he coming