The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-03-03

duly glad to see him and q little
more delighted to be saved from
the type Of thinking I have be-
gun TO realize gets me nowhere
but into q maze.
In 40 short order as possible. I
sketched for him the queer little
stunt which Manuelo Ortiz's
young countryman had tried to
stage. I told Mr.. Lacy how Rosa
had taken me to lunch expecting
young Ortiz to have Dick West
with him. In d fifty. Mr.. Lacy
grasped the situation and the
varying relations Of the folks Of
whom / was talking.
Il wonder II young ortix can
put his finger on this Pancho.
person?" he asked thoughtfulIy.
II suppose so, I replied.
And can you put your finger
on Ortiz"
IF he's at his hotel. cam" !
agreed.
Then suppose you have . 90
at 1t right away. Mrs. Harrison.
The missing link in the story ID
who promised this Pancho Ma
teixa to put him In touch with
Dick West? IL it was some one
very close to West, we've . real
problem. IL it was just some one
Mateixa and Ortiz both knew
down at home or even merely
some one Mateixa knew. It may
mean ncGaing. The Mexican Ii
undoubtedly more or less OF
stranger here. Some chap he'd
known down in his home terri
tory might easily enough think
West could show him his way
around the town, and falling to
produce West, offer something
just as good"
And If it was-Dad Lee, for
instance. that puts an entirely
different construction on matters
doesn't it?' I asked.
.'You said it!'' laughed Ralph
Lacy admiringly. Il
Luck favored me. when car
ried out his suggestion q moment
or two later. I got ManueIo Or
tiz on the wire and had no diff
Guilty in making him understand
that it would be a great favor IL
he'd come down to my office at
once. He agreed. and promised
to be with me inside the half
hour. AS I turned to Mr.. Lacy to
tell him OF my success. he asked:
Have you put Miss Storrs ia
possession OF the facts? She may
know soneone--a younger broth
er, or cousin, who looks like
Dick West and likes to play prac-
teal Jokes. Let's not leave Q stone
unturned."
You're right, I agreed, aE .
loss how to explain this seeming
rennissness. But knew there was
nothing could reveal, since my
actions had been based on the
necessity OF keeping Mabel's secret,
Fortunately Ralph Lacy was pur-
suing q constructive train OF
thought. and was not the sort Co
cross-question me In any event. az
knew in the back Of my mind.
Listen" he cried with boyish
enthusiasm. why can't we take
Park in on this-to certain ar
tent? You've got me roofing for
you. and I'm proud to think you've
a certain sense OF safety ana sat
1sfaction in knowing you have the
old pirate Rafe to count on. Rut
Miss Storrs strikes me as being
mighty near alone in the world.
Her young Oliver il a responsi-
bility. He wouldn't be much of an
asset when it came to fighting Off
a real pirate like this West chan.
Don't you think we ought o.riye
her the full benefit of Parks
chivalry?"
I've never liked Ralph Lacy bet
ter than in the moment when he
sat striving to find Just the right
word with which to describe Parks
interest in Mabel. But when I
answered it was with seeming
irrelevance.
You asked me to join you and
Park tonight. Shall I?''
"Of course!' he cried, hooking I'm
my words with his own question.
And IL you're game, wen try to
reach Miss Storrs and ask her to
join US. Then we can go into this
phantom Dick West business and
have the benefit of Parks fresh
viewpoint and Miss Storr's facts.
You don't think I'm trying to side
step responsibility, do your"
'Of course not?" cried. ''You'ns
assuming it,"
But as picked up the receiver
to try to reach Mabel. Mr.. Lacy
leaned down and asked eagerly:
I'VE won't take them into our
secrets, will weg"
A note in his voice startled me.
I put back the receiver and stared
at him questioningly.
To Be Continued MandaxA