Evening star., 1924-10-26

water from an aSateWaTt
pitcher into one of glass
threw the key with its brass tag OF
the bureau. and waited eNpectantly
while the guest stretched and yawned
Nice little town." said the stran-
ger, tossing the other dime Il sup
pose the people l seen on the streets
live here?"
-Four hundred thousand Of EN-
The youth returned. That's by the
last census"
The other raised his red and tired
eyes.
You must be Il member of the
Chamber of Commerce." said he. TAX
ing off his coat: Il see you amt any
ordinary liar
The youth opened his mouth for a
reply which never came forth because
at that moment there fell to the floor
from Il pocket of the guests coat a
neat. blue steel automatic revolver.
Good night. mister" said the boy
respectfully.
The guest seemed unSlisturbed by
the accident. He l.: Il cigarette
locked the door. picked up the gun
put il on the bureau. and wearily be-
gan to pull off his clothes.
When he had stripped himself tC
the waist he Strengthened up for d
moment to admire himself in the
pling muscles of his shoulders and
trunk and forearms
Lord, | have my fun living even ii
! am half dead for sleep" said he
Then he examined a furrow in his up
per arm; it had half filled with a red
brown crust.
Must have been 49," he conclud-
ed, yawning. They nearly got me-
\ clock in some high tower struck
he nf nix
watched IL flashing electric sign out
there i'll the velvet night. The words.
one after another, Sprang up from the
black void.
.Have-your-presc riptions-filled-
at-Biddlecome'S." read a sign. As he
pulled back the upper sheet he shiv-
cred with delight because the bed
clothes were so clean and cool TO the
touch.
Who'd have thought they'd have
Two detectives watching the presents
ut 4 quiet wedding?" he said half
aloud. Il was lucky 10 get out of
town. ] guess"
He was interrupted by a woman S
voice. 1t almost seemed to be in the
roonls-oVer there by the wall. He had
caught the sound of two or three
words spoken softly. He felt his way
through the blackness. Suddenly his
outstretched finger tips touched wood
IT was a door that separated his own
apartment from the next.
He could hear the tlutter OF paper
he could even hear the breathing OF
lhe woman. and it seemed excited.
AS if she We're undergoing strong
emotion.
"In try them" came the voice.
'Til just try them all until l find
him-but, oh. it's so hopeless. Hell
never use his right name. I'm vast
ing my time.
Kinder interesting" said the lis
tener to himself.
He pressed his nose against the
crack of the door as he caught the
faint, alluring odor of a refined per-
fume.
Then came the sound of the teIe-
phone hanger
''29i1 Western" said the voice.
Yes, that's right. Is this the Pan
tation Hotel? Is there a Mr.. l.. '.
Lawrence registered there? You're
sure there isn't? He would have
come in today. Vel, il gentleman
by that name registers ask him to
call up room pa at the Occidental.
Thank YOU
The woman put up the receiver
and began TO pace rapidly up and
down beyond the door.
Wonder what she looks hke?'
thought the eavesdropper. II know
perfumes backward and forward
and hers Is some way UP in the So
cial Scalc.''
He ran his fingers along the panels
until they reached the knob
just below this he caught a ray of
light on the palm of his hand. The
keyhole was open. He stopped and
placed his eye at the tiny aperture.
To be sure. not much of the other
room was visible Nevertheless, when
she had seated herself for a moment
on the side of the bed to bow her
head and wiring her hands. he saw
her face. She was not under 35, but
she was still beautiful. She had not
removed her hat. The little keyhoie
,framed the flowers upon it and the
bloom of emotion upon her sweet
cheeks.
Suddenly the vision disappeared.
but there was left on the bed. in
line with the adventurer's eager
stare, an open handbag. Within the
bag was a roll of bank notes as
thick as human wrist and a little
chamois leather bag which, as the
rascal we'll knew, was designed to
carry rings and pendants.
The woman was at the telephone
again.
'3441 Western. please" came her
voice. Thank you. Pray God he
may be there-Yes, Is this Middle
brook Court? Have you a Mr.. l.. ".
Lawrence registered? Well--wait Il
minute: IT he comes, tell him---Oh,
hcar. They cut me off. What shall
do? What shall / do? Perhaps he
has gone to some boarding house.
Perhaps he wouldn't dare to risk a
hotel. And there are simply hum
drcds of hotels!"
She seems ANXIOUS to find l.. v.
Lawrence" said the listener to him
self and licked his lips.
Nine thousand dollars" gasped the
woman. How big it seemed then,
how little 1t seems now. I'll pay a
thousand dollars for one more hour
Time with l.. V. Lawrence is some
precious" breathed the adventurer.
Again he put his eye to the keyhole.
Her hand was in his line Of vision
now. He watched the fingers twitch-
ing. 1t was an agreeable appearing
hand. There were two rings upon
1t, and one carried three siZable dia-
monds.
80 near and yet so far" exclaimed
tho observer with a whispered oath.
Then he Strengthened UP, felt his
way along the wall to the electric
push button. snapped on the flood of
light al stood once more gaping at
his seri 'us and crafty countenance
reflected IN the dressing glass.
Resource, old man. he said to his
own image. There's always a way,
old top. Gee, if wasn't so down and
out and tired, 1 could make my head
think. I always have luck with
women, especially when luck throws
'em at me like this one!"
She was telephoning again.
/, is this the new Nichols House, he
heard her say. We'll, you are sure