Evening star., 1924-03-09

out. And It was not until I had fin
ished my dining that I realized had
come here without money. The sit
uation has its embarrassing fea-
lures"
Fortunately. the embarrassment
need not endure" he said.
Nor need the loan go long un-
paid" she told him.
He waved deprecating hand.
Suppose that I had had the good
fortune to own your acquaintance;
in that case there would have been
no talk Of repayment"
But those are suppositions," she
reminded him. II can stretch con-
vention SO far. but not beyond. If
you will pay my check and then
come with me to my apartment-it is
on 95th street, just of the Drive-I
will refund the money"
DELHAM was conscious that she
was anxiously awaiting his re-
ply. The girl was lying. She had
indubitably tipped the head waiter
in order to procure the special table
which che had chosen. Furthermore,
the waiter who had served her had
greeted her with apparent recogni-
tion as he came TO take her order.
She had picked him because he was
Jimmy Pelham. Why?
There could be only one answer to
Gray Ghost with this decent girl
seemed a 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. II 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 a taxi. helped her into
1t and sat down beside her. The
machine started.
II think" he said, that under the
pertinent IL told you my name. It's
James Pelham
The color faded from her cheeks
and she gasped with amazement or
horror. She leaned instantly for
ward 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.
What's the nlatter?" demanded
Pelham.
'They said it was-that YOU we're
get out" she ordered. Quickly
They may be on their way. in this
neighborhood-'
Pelham took both her hands in his
and held them tightly. Suppose,
my dear young lady. that you begin
at the beginning. OF course. I know
for whom you're working. but how
did it happen that you didn't know
my name. considering for whom you
work.
Il didn't know for whom l was
working until you mentioned your
name. But now 1 can guess" she told
him.
And what did you think you were
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.. Palmer
Rather an extremely natural Gu
riosity," he retorted. "But tell me-"
Her color became more pronounced.
"a man whom have known casually
for some time-he is a stage manager
and / am an actress-knew that 1 had
been out of an engagement for
months. He told me that a certain
man was badly wanted as a witness
in a 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 II I would dine every night at
Edgemont and look for this man, and if
l were so fortunate as to flnd the want
ed man, and detain him long enough
for subpoena servers to get to him.
was to receive a $1,000"
Pelham whistled softly. Then he
smiled.
How did you know me?'
"I was given half a dozen photo
graphs of you to study" she replied.
Pelham's smile grew broader. You
believed this cock-and-bull story
about a missing witness? You be-
lieved that 1t was necessary to entice
this possessor Of information to your
apartment"
'T didn't believe it, she admitted.
Butt needed the dinners and the
$1,000. And din't dream that mur-
der was meant. But If you are James
Pelham. only one person could be be-
hind the stage manager"
He eyed her gravely. LAS for the
thousand dollars that you have lost
will give ten thousand for informa-
ton that would lead me to the Gray
Ghost. I'm not going to censure you.
Give me the name and address Of
your stage-manager friend. And
keep your eyes OPEN" He descended
from the taxicab.
The girl leaned through the door.
'.Mr. Pelham" she said eagerly, I've
been straight. I've worked. It's only
recently that the luck has been
bod
TITS all right" said Pelham.
He walked swiftly away. But be-
fore he went home he telephoned the
agency. and ordered operatives to
watch the apartment where the girl
lived. and to arrest her friend, the
stage manager.
Slipping cautiously through the
night, he reached one OF the many