Evening star., 1923-02-13

well, the fellows appear to have
attained their purpose" Rennison re-
piled meditatively. "They are clever.
but, sooner or later, we will come up
with them. Meanwhile. this wound of
Gulick's must be dressed. We
of thing, and, while you are liking
him up. I'll see if l can find another
car. Wait for me here. I'll be back
in a few minutes.
AS Rennison hurried off. Towndrow
addressed himself to the task of ex-
amining and binding the chauffeur's
wounded arm. He found the bullet
had passed through the biceps, but
had not come into contact with the
bone.
You secret service fellows do get
caught mapping now and then, l see,"
the wounded chauffeur grumbled.
"Oh. yes" Towndrow said. I'VE are
not supermen, but. sooner or later,
we land the chaps who get us guess
ing. That is what we are going to do
with this bunch
fore Rennison reappeared. He was
driving a "fivver" which, he ex-
plained. 'he had borrowed from a
family that lived on a crossroad,
machine. though badly ruff1ed as a
result of being routed out of his bed
by a stranger at that hour in the
morning. had yielded it readily
l
required by the government.
In accordance with Rennison'S di
rections. Gulick took the rear seat,
and Towndrow sat beside Rennison,
who essayed the task of driving the
car. Heading again for Baltimore,
the little party soon was under way.
You surely have no hope of over
taking them now" Towndrow said.
NO" Rennison answered. gloomily.
''They have reached Baltimore by this
time, and our chance of striking
their, trail again is slim that it
would be folly to attempt it, BY MAX
ing inquiries Of strangers we might
spoil our game. If we have been
identified by those people who just
Eot away with our car. it is prob
able that they believe a search for
Washington. We must not let them
suspect we have been following the
man higher up"
"But, since the trail is lost, why
do we keep on toward Baltmore?'
Towndrow asked.
1T is in Baltimore that we must
start TO work on our new lead as
soon as we have snatched a few
hours sleep. My friend Jimmy ha is
located the booth from which the
assistant secretary received the di-
rections which sent him from Wash
ington to Baltimore. and it is essen
speaker as soon a s possible. Already
we have descriptions of two of the
three men who were in the car with
the Tanager. We may be compelled
TO seek the cooperation of the Balti-
more detective bureau. but we must
avoid doing this if possible"
What are your plans for the
night"
Il shall put up, at the Chichester.
It is cheap hotel with a somewhat
shady reputation. but one at which
am likely to escape recognition. !
would suggest that YOU go to the
Chclmford: ! will give you tele-
phone call about s o'clock. If you
hear nothing from me by $50. call
me up at the Chichester. where I will
register under the name of Severn.
Should YOU fai! to reach me, get into
communication with Jimmy, at the
switchboard of the War Department
When Baltimore was reached.
Towndrow took Rennison's place at
the wheel of the machine. Two blocks
from the Chichester Rennison a1ighted
and made his way to the hotel. The
machine then headed for the hospital,
into which Gulick was taken by
ToWndrow, who explained that the
wounded man was to be regarded as
a government patient from whom no
explana ton was to he required con-
cerning the manner in which he re
ceived his injury. The secret service
man took the machine to a garage.
and then hurried to the Chelmford
Hotel, where he registered under his
own name.
Upon reaching the room to which
he was assigned at the Chichester.
Eennison lighted his pipe, removed
his coat and spread on the table the
contents of the handbag he had found
in the deserted limousine. From the
two envelopes he drew out the notes
they contained. 1t was plain that
neither bore any relation to the case
he had in hand. One was from
woman, apparently an actress, who
asked Miss Warburton to lend her
$50. The other was from New York
banker. who notified her that, in ac-
cordance with her directions, he had
invested for her $4,000 in stocks of
a western copper company.
Half an hour after entering his
hotel room, Rennison removed part Of
his clothing. assured himself that he
had bolted the door. extinguished the
light and stretched himself on the
bed. Ten minutes later, fatigued by
the long mental strain to which he
had been subjected, he was asleep.
The Army officer was awakened by
the ringing of the telephone bell in
his room. His first thought was that
it was s O'Clock and that the desk
was giving him a. waking call. Then
he realized that day had not dawned.
He hurried to the telephone and took
down the receiver.
"Hello!" he called.
THAT you, Mr.. Severn" came the
Yes"
'"rhe night clerk is speaking Mrs
Severn is here, and wants to see you"
Rennison hesitated, but he thought
quickly.
Mrs. Severn. eh.' he murmured,
wonderingly.
A woman's. voice. so low that the
words were not distinguishable, was
speaking al the other end of the wire.
The speaker apparently was address,
ing the hotel clerk. Then, now
clearly. he heard:
els that Mr.. Severn"
"Yes." answered Rennison.
''This is Miriam, George" the
woman's voice went on. ''The car
in which I started from Baltimore
skidded from the road this side of
Laurel. and we had to get another
one. That is why ] failed to meet
YOU, as ] promised. 7 have explained
matters to the clerk. Shall go right
Up to your room? 1t will not be
necessary for you to come down"
'Why-yes," Rennison answered
CHAPTER XVII.
SPIDER AND FLIES.
Thinking quickly, but moving de-
1tberately, Rennison hung up the
telephone receiver. switched on the
electric light and put on the gar
ments he had removed when he lay
down to rest Scarcely had he COM
pleted dressing when a low knock
ing on his door apprised him OF the
arrival Of his visitor.
From a. hip pocket of his trousers
loo fpI Ixy cfyrh INV