Evening star., 1924-08-17

company had discovered what ap-
peared to be an alteration in check
given to Barrabas, the fruiterer. that
5000 was involved and that she had
been asked to go Immediately to the
down town offices.
You will have to stay upstairs In
Mrs. Simms-Vane's room,'' she told
Lucille. There will be nothing to
do for her. and in spite of the down.
pour she will probably insist upon
taking her daily ride at 4. By that
time probably l shall return"
Very good, Miss JONES'" said Lu-
ellie. I'm very sorry you are
troubled"
At 2:2S the English spinster left
the Simms-Vane mansion, and de-
scending the steps walked southwark
down the Avenue toward the cross
town car line. bent with all serious
ness upon her empty errand. Lucille.
dark green umbrella mingle with the
moving black groups of umbrellas
above the wet pavement. When she
turned back to look at Mrs. Simms-
Vane the old lady had shut her eyes.
At little after $50, Miller. The
Hawk. wearing Il conservative black
raincoat. came up the steps, and hav-
ing pressed the button which is CEN
tered in the familiar grinning bronze
.
stepped within the large vestibule.
Mrs. SimmS-Eane opened her eyes.
The bell" she said to Lucille in
her faint, muffied voice, Hines is not
here. l think"
Very good, ma'am." Lucille re.
piled. Il will co.
The room in which Mrs. Simms-
Nane had spent so many years was
formerly the library; the old lady
chose to live in it because her hus-
band had spent here many hours. 1t
had not been altered much in the
passage of time. 1t was large room
with a massive carved table in the
middle: and the two brass CANDLE
sticks from Granada, which had been
used by Simms-Vane every evening.
when, with his Justinia blooming
with beauty. he had talked over the
day" as he had called it and smoked
his after-dinner cigar, were still
standing upon it.
The mechanical chair in which Mrs
simms-Vape sat had been turned to-
ward the door leading into the hall
She was able to see the pair who
appeared there. Mrs. Simms-Vane
stared at the two without a flicker of
an eyelash. She might have been
carved in rock.
''W'ho is this gentleman Lucille -"
sac asked. why does he Gomez"
IN do the talking" said The Hawk
sltn a roughness which was over
s."ne. mo nonsense"
Il think l understand" said the old
lady in her even but frail voice. Il
fear, Lucille. that We have been mis-
taken in you. That is too bad. And
YOU. sir-will you kindly step back three
or four steps. l am unable because
of my inf1rmity to turn my head
You must forgive me. l prefer to
tSlk looking into the eyes"
The Hawk stepped in front of the
hIechanical chair and met the old lady's
"nf1inching gaze.
That's right, Mrs. Simms-Vane,"
ne said. 81 think you understand :.
Leave that door open. Lucille: if any
of the servants come for anything go
out and send them off. Tell them this
lady's asleep"
He walked to the extension tele-
phone set upon the table and with his
open jackknife severed the green
cord, Now. Mrs. Simms- Vane. we're
alone. l came for the Thirty three
and you're going to tell me where it
is"
THE old lady smiled There was
no movement in her or about her
except the almost imperceptible stir
of the lace about her neck and at
her cuffs.
You made a mistake to come here"
she said softly. 1T is true that 1 am
a helpless invalid, and cannot call out
for assistance, but there is that
which will cause you to fail-you
shall have disaster"
Lucille stared at her. The old
lady's words sounded like a sentence
pronounced by an impartial and un-
emotional judge.
You may call on God" sneered the
man.. That's what you mean. My
nerve is good for that stuff"
Hers is not" said Mrs. Simms-
Vane.
The Hawk turned toward Lucille
and saw that she was breathing a
little fast.
It's lie." cried Lucille passionate
ly. THE old fossil!"
The little slow smile passed once
again across the face of the old lady.
II did not refer to Divine assist
dear young people, because you are
not made of the stuff which succeeds.
Your birth and breeding are held in
absolute contempt by me, because
see that you are made of the base
metals. You are unrestrained, pas
sionate and vulgar. This is the rea-
son 1 think you make a mistake to
come into conflict with one who was
the wife Of Mr.. Simms-Vane. At the
very outset you, sir, made mistake.
You disclosed that you did not know
where the necklace was laid away"
Miller threw his wet raincoat on the
floor but did not take off his hat. He
had listened TO her with curious in
terest. fascinated perhaps by the
brightness of the eyes which glowed
like the warmth Of eternal youth out
from their setting Of ashes and age.
You are not very clever your
SELF" he said with leer. you've
admitted that the Thirty-three was
in this ROOM"
He stepped out Of her line of vision
and she heard the drawer of the writ
ing-desk opened and the sound of
papers tossed about.
"Will you trust in one who never
has broken her word to ane one?"
came the voice Of Mrs. Vane again.
Suppose 1 promise to reward you
both to the full. The necklace is the
most treasured possession I have. 1t
is not because of its money value but
because my husband gave it to me
when we were young and very happy
that I will not have it taken from
me-"
The Hawk. gave a coarse laugh.
Listen to her!" exclaimed Lucille
Then look out for yourselves" the
old lady said. II warn you."
Miller walked back until he stood
in front OF her. He had taken from
his side-pocket a little ugly-1ookine
automatic and he thrust the muzzle
Of 1t into her face.
where's the thing hidw he
growled.
Mrs. Simms-Vane shut her eyelids
slowly and slowly opened them
again.
"Oh, what folly, my mistaken
young man." she said. DO you be-
lieve that I fear that you will pull