Evening star., 1924-03-31
CHAPTER xxx.
The Lighted Window.

The tall stranger walked leiGurely
away in the direction of oxford Cir
Gus. calmly putting at a fresh cigar
! which he had taken from a well filled
case just before leaving the restau-
rant. His movements, his whole air
and bearing, began to puzzle Styler-
they were certainly not those of a
hunted man, not those of man who
knows that he is an object of sus-
picion to somebody, who is aware that
there has been description of him in
the newspapers which must infallibly
lead to his arrest or to interference
! with his freedom. To watch him as
he strolled along through the evening
crowd was to gather an idea of his
own feeling of liberty and independ-
ence-there was nothing furtive in
his air, nothing in his manner TO
make any one think that he was
afraid of being seen. At the north
east corner of oxford Circus he
glanced at "a neighboring clock. drew
out his watch and compared II with
the big dial above him. bought an
evening paper from d boy, and turn
ed up toward Langham place.
queer chap altogether, thought Sty-
ler. as he carefully hung in the rear
and doubtless a queer chase to which
they were all committed.
The three men who followed behind
Stylcr were suddenly interrupted in
their progress. To the detective who
went first Smith and HeXtall saun-
tering with apparent carelessness a
few yards in the rear, there came
up q man something like himself in
outward appearance who drew him
out of the traffic to the edge of the
pavement and exchanged few words
with him. Within a minute the de-
tective turned to look for his COM
panions and sharply beckoned Hex
tall and Smith to approach. Smith
saw at once that something had hap
pened, and FASTENED up.
"A colleague OF mine said the de-
tective indicating the newcomer.
He's just told me, gentlemen. that
tonight. very likely. In that CASE"
In that case" Interrupted Smith,
seizing the situation and speaking
with emphatic decision. you. Hextall,
Coins tantly. You must be on the
spot. And look here. he contin-
ued, turning to the detective, and at
the same time casting an anxious
glance on the receding Styler, you
go with DR.. HeXtall-do! If your
Tress's flat, tell them there's no in
formation-try to get them To-
''IlI go, MIR. Smith. but If they turn
up there at all tonight. shan't be able
to do much, II anything" said the de-
tective. You know
Il know know" broke in Smith,
pushing them both toward a taXi-cab.
to the driver of which he had vigor-
ously signaled. But goat once.
Do what you can. ] must follow my
clerk. Don't lose minute. Hextall."
he added as they entered the cab IF
that girl is alone, as she may be.
she'll he frightened TO death. And
look here-if the worst should hap
accompany her. She's still at the fat.
isn't she and you, too-tell EN- she's
not strong enough to go alone. I'm
derStand?"
Hextall nodded gloomily. and
Smith gave the driver the address
of Tress's fat and waved him off.
AS the cab moved away he turned in
pursuit of Styler and encountered the
two Greeks. Demetriadi pointed a
finger.
Gone around there. eh?'' he said
with a sly wink. THAT man and
your man. Good! We follow them
yeS:'
Don't" urged Smith. "If you two
want to help US don't. II there are too
many of us we shall spoil everything.
My clerks competent to do all the
shadowing that's needed. If you real
ly want to help. go back to that fe
have another drink, another smoke
and come round to HeXalTS again
later in the evening"
Demetraidi looked disappointed for
the minute, but his face suddenly
cleared and he drew his companion
back.
"Right-oh," he said. I'VE do what
you think better-all right, we come
see you at the doctors-eh?-some
time. Good luck"
Smith hurried round the corner into
a n r L N % @
mad talien on the spring night, and
even in that brilliantly lighted thor
oughfare there were patches of shade.
Out of one of those in front he saw