, 1924-03-12
v

II happened that the two men, wait
Ing In the vestibule for Francis car to
crawl up to the entrance through the
fog which had Unexpectedly rolled up,
heard the slight alteration which was
afterward referred to as preceding the
tragedy. The two young people con-
cerned were standing only n few feet
away, the girl pretty. a little peevish.
an ordinary type; her companion.
whose boyish features were married
with dissipation. a very passable ex-
ample Of the young man about town
going a little beyond his tether.
ITS no good standing here. victorr"
the girl exclaimed. frowning. 1.-THE
commissionaire's been gone ages al
ready, and there are two others be
fore us for taxis."
1--WE can't walk" her escort replied
gloomily. ITS a foul night. Nothing
to do but wait, what? Let's go back
and have another drink"
The girl stamped her satin-shaL root
impatiently.
Don't be silly she exp~ostulntpd.
"You know ] promised Cara we'd be
there early"
al very WELL" the young man
grumined, "but what can we do? We
81 al have to wait turn"
why can't you slip out n look for
a taxi yourself?" she suggested. do.
Victor" she added, squeezing his arm
"You're so clever at picking them up"
He made n little grimnce. but lit a
cigarette and turned up his coat col
lar.
"I1l do my best" he promised.
Don't go on without me-"
TRY up toward Charlng Cross road.
not the other way" she advised earn
estly.
"Right-oh!" he replied. which FLU
minative form of assent. a word
spoken IS he plunged unwillingly into
the thies o%bscurity on the other side
of the revolving doors, was probably
the lat he ever uttered on earth.
Left alone, the girl began to SILVER,
as rrough suddenly cold. She turned
around and glanced hurriedly back
Into the restaurant. At that moment
sh. met the steady. questioning
scrutiny Of Francis eyes. She stood
NO AtAVhkh iith Nullt lIt
sound which every one talked Of for
months afterward, the sound which no
one who heard 1t ever forgot-the
death cry of Victor Bidlake. followed
a second afterward by n mufled re-
port. A strain of frenzied surprise
seemed mingled with the horror. After
ward. silence.
There was the sound OF some rom
motion outside, h sound OF hurried
footsteps and agitated voices. Then a
terrible little procession appeared.
Solnethlng-it seemed to be a shape
less heap OF clothes-wns carried In
md laid upon the floor, in the little
space between the revolving doors and
the inner entrance. Two blue-liveried
attendants kept back the Mortified but
curious crowd. Francis, vnguely rec
ognized ms being somehow or other
connected with the law. was one OF
the few people allowed to remain
whilst n doctor. fetched out from the
dancing room. kneeled over the pros
trate form. He felt that he knew be
forehand the horrible verdict which
the latter whispered In his ear after
his brief examination.
"Quite dead A CHASTITY business -
Francis gazed at the hole In the
shirt front. dlsngured also by a scorch.
Ing stain.
"a bulfet7 2" ne asked.
The doctor nodded.
Fired within n loot OF the poor Eel.
lows heart he whispered. THE muir.
derer wasn't taking any chances. who
ever he was
The doctor rose to his feet.
"Nothing more can be done" he
pronounced. keep the people out OF
here whilst ! 20 and fetch my hat and
coat. A~fterwnrd. I'll take the body TO
the mortuary when the ambulance ar
rives."
An attendant pushed his way
through the crowd OF people on the
innAr side OF The door.
"Aflss Daisy Hyslop. young lady
who was with Mr.. Bldlnke. has Just
tainted In the ladies' room. SIR" he an.
nounced. Gould you GOMEZ"
"I1l he there immediately" the doc
tor promised.
The rest OF the proceedings followed
n normal course. The police arrived.
took various notes. the ambulance fol.
lowed a little later. the body wal re-
moved. and the little crowd of guests.
still infected with n sort OF awed ex-
clement, were allowed to take their