The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-12-21

was quite sure that this did not prompt him
to say as they smiled goodnight into each
others eyes, that he wanted to see her again
before she left New York.
CHAPTER VI-New Evidence
A CITING on her own judgment, in which
~ she had been sustained by the profess
sor, Amelie decided to invite Miss War
rem to have lunch as her guest the following
day. Accordingly, by appointment, she went
at noon to Mr.. Lawrence's office. But she
went with different feelings, with changed
attitude toward every person with whom
she had come in contact there. She had
decided not to give any sign that she was
aware of the suspicious that had prompted
the apparently lavish hospitality of Miss
Warren and Mr.. Raines. Had she suddenly
dropped them she would have appeared rude
and unappreciative Besides, she believed
that such course on her part might only
serve to deepen the suspicion which she was
most anxious to dispel.
From Miss Warren and from the people
whom she knew at Mr.. Lawrence's office she
received the usual cordial greetings.
Didn't you meet the professor and Mr..
Chalmers? They left just few minutes
before you came in" said Miss Warren, as
she put on her hat. Amelie was assisting
her with her coat, and before she had time
to answer, the door noisily opened and
Mr.. Chalmers came in He appeared hur-
ried and somewhat excited. He thought he
had left his notebook, he said, and he felt
sure it must be there. Having greeted him
hastily, Amelie joined the others in looking
about the desks and tables and on the floor
Mr.. Lawrence, who had excused himself and
who had begun to work at his papers, also
Joined in the search.
Amelie had laid her bag and gloves on the
table, while she assisted Miss Warren in
putting on her coat, and she turned around
just in time to be Mortified, frightened to
see Mr.. Chalmers brush them off in passing
the table. AS the bag struck the floor she
neither breathed nor moved for moment
and the color left her face instantly. Her
precious record was it broken, shattered?
Then she was struck dumb when she saw
that the bag had fallen open. She stood as
if paralyzed while Mr.. Lawrence stopped.
picked up the bag and handed it to her. He
held it by one handle and it swung open,
leaving the edge of that record plainly visi-
Bile. The envelope had fallen to the floor
Mr.. Chalmers very deliberately and labori-
ously bent, picked it up, stuck out his thick
lips, raised his eyebrows, glanced signifi-
cantly at Mr.. Lawrence and gave a loud
grunt as he handed it over to her.
For full moment no one spoke. In the
midst of the city noises the silence in the
room during that minute seemed to Amelie
sickening, unbearabe. She knew that the
embarrassment and confusion she felt must
show in her face, for she could not conceal
Mr.. Chalmers hand her own hand was
trembling visibly. She closed the bag with
snap, then she recovered herself and
turned to Miss Warren.
care you ready?" she asked. Miss War
rem seemed uncertain what to do. She hest
tated moment before she spoke, and then
she turned to Mr.. Lawrence.
as there anything you wish me to do
here, sir?" she asked. "If there is 1 will
not 60" Amelie caught the meaning look
in Mr.. Lawrence's face as he said
You may CO."
Mr.. Chalmers forgot his haste of few
minutes before and sat down. He breathed
heavily and tapped the desk before which
he sat nervously and impatiently, as if anX-
ious for them to leave.
"Wel what do you think of it now" he
jerked out, as soon as the door had closed
behind the two girls.
81 could want no stronger evidence" re-
turned Mr.. Lawrence.
81 looked at the envelope carefully" said
Mr.. Chalmers, "and do you know what num-
Der was on the envelope? 1t was 49,"
81 suspected as much" said Lawrence,
little dolefully as if he were sorry for the
latest convincing evidence. 'The envelope
e. t,cf