Evening star., 1923-02-27
The Scarlet Tanager
A Story of Secret Service and Diplomatic Intrigue
BY J. AUBREY TYSON
Ian Comps +.
BY J. AUBREY TYSON

had become entirely satisfied that.
though Miss Warburton Is an Eng
lishwoman, she has rendered to the
government of. the United States a
series of services so valuable, and so
cleverly and secretly performed, that
they may be said to be beyond COM
parison with those ever rendered by
any other woman in the interest OF
our country"
A faint flush came to the ordinarily
impassive features of Rennison, and
the light of eager, suddenly awaken
ed curiosity that beamed In his eyes
encouraged the secret service man to
proceed.
appearances of Miss Warburton in
certain cases in which !, and other
members OF our service. have been
engaged have been due to work
tion of a certain official of our De-
partment of State" Towndrow went
on. Her activity on this side of the
Atlantic was begun voluntarily in
behalf of the diplomatic service of
her own country, which then was CO.
operating with our own. Gradually.
however. her work brought her under
the direction of one of the bureaus
of our Navy Departments: But, mas
much you now enjoy the full measure
of the lady's confidence. it will be
unnecessary for me to give you fur
ther details. 1t might be well for me
to add. however, that she has declined
all offers of compensation for her
services in behalf of the British and
American Aoyernments and that her
character. as well as her loyalty, is
above reproach."
Thanks. Towndrow," Rcnnison said,
shortly.
There is one thing more that
should interest you-though, I dare
say, 1t probably Will occasion you
no SURPRISE Towndrow continued.
"Horsford is dead"
Indeed" Rennison muttered, coldly,
How did it happen?"
I'm the Rennison way"
The Atlny officer flushed angrily.
THAT is not an answer to my ques-
ton. TowndroW," he said.
"Yes-for it is equivalent to saying
that. finding himself hopelessly in
your grip. he died by his own hand,
Taking his cue from Reifsnyder. he
sent a bullet into his head while sit
ting on a couch in the library of his
home. His death was reported to
the Washington police about an hour
ago.
Rennison glanced moodily toward
where the last Of the four bodies was
being lowered through the open trap.
Towndrow was about to speak when
the door at the other end of the room
was thrust open and Hawkshurst
entered briskly.
We'll, Rennison. Meredith is off to
arrange for the train and the nurse.
the colonel said. Doubtless they Will
be at the Union station in an hour.
Meantime. we may as well wait here
/, rather than at the station. where our
presence would be likely TO excite
speculation"
RennisoH nodded.
That is best. of course. colonel" he
assented. He eGHSed. then added:
The report have to make to you
will have no bearing on. further ac-
tivities in Baltimore o, Washington
tonight. and. after all, might better be
communicated in the privacy Afforded
by the train. In the circumstances
perhaps"
speakers meaning. frowned. but his
face cleared quickly as he inter-
rupted.
.All right. Rennison-have your
way" he said resignedly. shes still
in the machine in which you left her
Go to her. When ] get the signal to
start for the station, I'll let you know.
My car will lead the way out, and
yours will follow. After you will come
another machine. with three of our
York. So get along to her--get along
to our lady of mysteries. who. by the
way. really does look as il she needs
sustaining arm and q eomforter.
these representatives of the govern
ment was too tense to admit of even
brief lapse into cheerfulness. and
the smile which parted the
coloners lips plainly was forced
It's incongruity brought flash of
resentment to Rennison,s eyes
the brim of his hat and drew it
lower on his forehead: then. noddins
abruptly. he started toward the door
When he reached this he extended a
hand toward the knob. 1t was not
the knob. but another's hand. or
which his fingers closed. however.
Turning sullenly. Rennison looked
into the eyes of Towndrow, and it
suddenly occurred to the: Army man
that, in all the months he and Town
drow had been acquainted. this was
the first time their hands had met
During that period each had known
ne had enjoyed the respect and con-
fidence of the other. but Rennison
had been conscious of the fact that
Towndrow had disliked him and that
this dislike was due largely to the
mysterious fatality that seemed to