The Dolores star., 1923-10-05

@''pooApiCs hhCuuy may DC NV
late. They say Peel Edgerton can
smell a criminal! Perhaps even now
his suspicious are aroused. He
guesses-"
Mrs. vandemeyer eyed him scorn-
fully.
"Reassure yourself, my dear Boris.
He suspects nothing. You seem to
forget that I am commonly accounted
beautiful woman. assure you
that is all that interests Peel Edger-
ton.
Besides, he Is extremely rich.
am not one who despises money. The
'sinews Of war; you know. BorisH'
"Money-moneyl That is always
the danger with you. Rita. / believe
you would sell your soul for money.
believe" He paused. then In low.
sinister voice he said slowly: Some
times believe you would sell-us"
Mrs. Vandemeyer smiled and
shrugged her shoulders.
THE price, at any rate. would have
to be enormous" she said lightly st
would be beyond the power Of anyone
but millionaire to pay"
"Ah" said the Russian. -You see.
I was rIght!"
my dear Boris, can you not take
joker
WAS It a joker"
"Of course. Let us not quarrel,
Boris. Touch the bell. We will have
some drinks
Tuppence beat hasty retreat. She
paused moment to survey herself
in Mrs. Vnndemeyer's long glass. and
be sure that nothing was amiss with
her appearance. Then she answered
the bell demurely.
The conversation that she had over
heard, although interesting in that 1t
proved beyond doubt the completely
| Of both Rita and Boris, threw very
little light on the present preoccupa-
tions. The name of Jane Finn had
not even been mentioned.
The following morning few brief
words with Albert informed her that
nothing was waiting for her at the
stationer's. 1t seemed incredible that
Tommy, II all was well with him,
should not send any word to her. A
cold hand seemed to close round her
heart. Supposing She
choked her fears down bravely. 1t
was no good worrying. But she leapt
at a chance offered her by Mrs. Van
demeyer.
"What day do you usually go out.
Prudence"
Fridays my usual day, ma'am."
"And today is Friday! But l sup
pose you hardly wish to 20 out today,
as you only came yesterday"
"I was thinking of asking you If 1
! might, ma'am."
at makes no difference to me, as
I shall not be dining at home"
Tuppence felt a sensation Of relief
once she was out Of the others pres
ence. Once again she admitted to
herself that she was afraid, horribly
afraid. of the beautiful woman with
the cruel eyes.
In the midst of a final desultory
polishing Of her silver, Tuppence was
disturbed by the ringing Of the front
door bell, and went to answer 1t. This
time the visitor was neither Whiting
ton nor Boris, but a man of striking
appearance.
Just shade over average height,
he nevertheless conveyed the impress
sion Of big man. His face. clean
shaven and exquisitely mobile, was
stamped with an expression of power
and force far beyond the ordinary.
| Mo 70 70
him.
Tuppence was undecided for the
moment whether to put him down as
an actor or lawyer, but her doubts
were soon solved as he gave her his
name: Sir James Peel Edgerton.
Tuppence went back to her pantry
thoughtfully. The great man had i'm
pressed her. She understood Boris
agitation. Peel Edgerton would not
be an easy man to deceive.
| In about a quarter of an hour the
bell rang. and Tuppence repaired to
the hall to show the visitor out. He
had given her piercing glance before.
Now. as she handed him his hat and
stick, she was conscious Of his eyes
raking her through. AS she opened
the door and stood aside to let him
pass out, he stopped In the doorway.
mot been doing this long, ehY'
Tuppence raised her eyes, aston
ished. She read in his glance kindli-
ness. and something else more difficult
| to fathom.
| He nodded as though she had an
| swered.
"v. A. D. and hard up. supposed :
Good place here?"
"Very good. thank you, SIR"
| "Ah, but there are plenty of good
places nowadays. And a change does
| no harm sometimes"
DO you mean-T' began Tuppence.
But Sir James was already on the
topmost stair. He looked back with
his kindly, shrewd, glance.
| aust hint" he said. That's ALL"
Tuppence went back to the pantry
v,nro fhnuOhtfy1 than ever