San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1924-03-09
In Which, With Seeming Ease the Detectives Pelham Tyon Lodge
the Cunning MalefacOr the Gray Ghost Jaiand Then

more than ever convinced that she had
had a weightier reason for summon
ing him.
"You didn't invite me here for idle
chatter" he said presently. Not that
l wouldn't be glad if you had. But why
did you want me TO join you?"
She smiled uncertainty.
Because tonight l need money"
she said ruefully.
How much?" asked Pelham.
Until the waiter gives me the
check l will not know she replied.
She laughed nervously. 81 didn't feel
like dinner at home tonight. This
lovely spring evening tempted me out.
And it was not until L had finished
my dining that l realized l had come
here without money. The situation
has its embarrassing features"
Fortunately, the embarrassment
ned not endure" he said.
Nor need the loan 60 long I'M
paid" she told him.
He waved deprecating hand.
Suppose that l had had the good
fortune TO own your acquaintance; in
that case there would have been no
talk OF repayment.
But those are suggestions, she
reminded him. Il can stretch con-
vention so far, but not beyond. II
you will pay. my check and then come
with me to my apartment-it is on
Ninety-fifth street, just off the Drive
j will refund the money"
Pelham was. conscious that she was
anxiously awaiting his reply. The
girl was lying. She had Individually
th, IN, 10
procure the special table which she
who had served her had greeted her
to take her order.
Jimmy Pelham. Why?
There could be only one answer
to this question. Yet to connect the
Gray Ghost with this decent girl
seemed little far-fetched. But he
Pleasantly agreed to accompany her
TO her apartment and receive money
to replace that which now he gave to
her waiter.
Outside the dining room she left
him stating that she must reclaim
her complexion from the ravages Of
this spring evening. She disappeared
INTO one of the reception rooms. Pei
ham waited for her. If this girl were
in any way connected with the Gray
Ghost matters of importance might
be learned from her. When she came
out he ordered taxi. helped her into
it, and sat down beside her. The ma
chine started.
81 think" he said. @that under the
circumstances il would not be imper-
tinent if | told You my name. It's
James Pelham"
The color faded from her cheeks,
and she gasped with amaZement or
horror. She leaned instantly forward
and knocked upon the window in
front of which sat the chauffeur. The
man glanced over his shoulder, then
turned into the curb and stopped.
whats the matter:" demanded
Palhan>
"They saidsit was-that you were
get out" she ordered. Quickly.
They may be on their way, in this
neighborhood-"
PelEam took both her hands in his
and held them tightly. Suppose, my
dear young lady, that you begin at
the beginning. Of course l know for
whom you're working. but how did it
happen that you didn't know my
name. considering for whom you
work."
II didn't know for whom I was
working until you mentioned your
name. But now l can guess" she
told him.
"And what did you think you were
doing?" demanded Pelham. Beneath
his cynical glance she crimsoned.
You see," he went on, II know you
have money in your purse. saw
You tip the head waiter"
"Yet you came with me; you have
courage. Mr.. Pelham"
Rather an extremely natural Curl
osity," he retorted. "But tell me-"
Her color became more pronounced.
"a man whom L have known casual
ly for some time-he is a stage mana
ger and l am an actress-knew that
L had been out of an engagement for
months. He told me that a certain
man was badly wanted as witness
in q will case that was being handled
by some lawyer friends of his. He
said that the witness had avoided all
attempts to serve subpoenas on him.
And if l would dine every night at
Edgemont and look for this man, my
dinners would be paid for. and if l
were so fortunate as to find the want
ed man, and detain him long enough
for subpoena servers TO get TO him.
l was to receive q thousand dollars"
Pelham whistled softly. Then he
smiled.
How did you know me?"
81 was given half a dozen photo
graphs of you to study" she re-
piled.
Pelham's smile grew broader. "You
believed this coek-and-bull story about
a missing witness? You believed that
it was necessary TO entice this pos
SCISSOR of information to your apart
ment?-
Il didn't believe it." she admitted.
"But-I needed the dinners and the
thousand dollars. And l didn't dream
that murder was meant. But if you
are James Pelham, only one person
could be behind the stage manager"
He eyed her gravely. AS for the
thousand dollars that you have lost
i will give ten thousand for infor-
nation that would lesd me to the
Gray Ghost. I'm not going to CEN
sure you. Give me the name and adj
dress of your stage-manager friend.
And keep your eyes OPEN He de-
seconded from the taxi cab.
The girl leaned through the door.
"Mr. Pelham" she said eagerly. "Tve
been straight. I've worked. It's only
recently that the luck has been
bad"
Its all right" said Pelham.
He walked swiftly away. But be-
fore he went home he telephoned the
agency and ordered operatives 10
watch the apartment where the girl
lived and to arrest her friend the