The Dolores star., 1923-10-26

| but ! know some one VINO mas
Must be millionaire" remarked
Mrs. vandcmeyer unbelievingiy.
"As matter OF fact, he is. He's nj
American. He'll pay you that withou
murmur. You can take 1t from ms
that it's a perfectly genuine PROPOSE
| ton"
Mrs. Vandemeyer sat up again.
I'm inclined to believe you" sh'
said slowly what does he want Il
know. this friend of yours?''
Tuppence went through momen
tary struggle, but II was Julius
money, and his interests must come
first.
He wants to know where jane Finr
is" she said boldly.
Mrs. vandemeyer showed no sur
prise. I'm not sure where she Is al
the present moment" she replied.
But you could find out?'
"Oh, yes" returned Mrs. yandemey
er carelessly. There would be no diff
ficulty about that"
'Then''-Tuppence's voice shook a
little--there's a boy. friend Of mine
I'm afraid something's happened to
him, through your pal Boris"
whats his namef"
Tommy Beresford."
"Never heard Of him. But I'll ask
Boris. He'll tell me anything he
knows"
Thank you. There's one thing
more"
"Well?"
Tuppence leaned forward and low.
cred her voice.
"Who is Mr.. BrownT'
Her quick eyes saw the sudden
pallng of the beautiful face. With an
effort Mrs. Vandemeyer pulled herself
together and tried to resume her for
mer manner But the attempt was
mere parody.
She shrugged her shoulders.
You can't have learnt much about
us II you don't know that nobody
knows who Mr.. Brown is. :"
You do" said Tuppence quietly.
Again the color deserted the others
face.
"What makes you think that?"
81 don't know" said the girl truth
fully. But I'm sure"
Mrs. Vandemeyer stared In front of
her for long time.
Yes" she said hoarsely. Mt last, 81
know. l was beautiful, you see-very
beautiful"
"YOu are STILL" said Tuppcnce with
admiration.
Mrs. Nandemeyer shook her head.
mot beautiful enough" she said In a
soft dangerous voice. "Not-beautiful
enough! And sometimes. lately. I've
been afraid. It's dangerous TO
know too much!" She leaned forward
across the table. Swear that my
name shan't be brought into It-that
no one shall ever know"
Il swear it. And, once he's caught,
you'll be out of danger"
A terrified look swept across Mrs.
Vandemeyer's face.
shall I? Shall l ever be?" She
clutched Tuppences arm. You're sure
about the money!"
quite sure"
when shall l have it7 There must
be no delay"
This friend Of mine will be here
He may have to send cables,
or something like that. But there
won't be any delay-he's terrific
hustler"
A resolute look settled on Mrs. Van
demeyer's face.
I'll do 1t. It's great sum of
money, and besides''-she gave a curl
GUS smile-"it is not-wise to throw
over woman like me."
For moment or two, she remained
smiling, and lightly tapping her fin
gers on the table. Suddenly she start.
ed, and her face blanched.
what was that?"
81 heard nothing"
Mrs. Vandemeyer gazed round her
fearfully.
IF there should be some one listen
ing. ! tell you I'm frightened. You
don't know him ~
"Think of the hundred Thousand
pounds" said Tuppence soothlngly.
Mrs. Vandemeyer passed her tongue
over her dried lips.
"You don't know him." she reiterated
hoarsely. "IIe's-ahi"
With Shrek of terror she spronp
to her feet. Her outstretched hand
pointed over TuDpence's head. Then
she swayed to the ground in dead
faint.
Tuppenc- looked round to see what
had startled her.
In the doorway were Sir James Peel
Edgerton and julius Hersheimmer.
CHAPTER NIII