The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-12-21
SIX

rapidly.
at did look strange, didn't it," she said,
resting her elbow on the table absently and
putting one pink cheek in the palm of her
hand Her voice was very low and when
she lifted the glass of water to her lips he
saw that she was trembling slightly Il
didn't know that" she finished as she set
the glass down. No wonder they suspected
me Of having the record-especially when l
appeared here just after the reward was Of
fered and wrote that yellow slip. Why did
60 there? Why did | ever go>to see Mr..
Lawrence anyway, when had no real bust
ness with hin-no business whatever" She
spoke desperately and he only looked at her
wondering,y.
After moment it was she who took up
the story he had begun.
And then they offered the reward. and l
canle as if in answer, and wrote that yellow
slip. Then they told Mr. Chalmers to come.
And perfectly ignorant of the existence or
the loss of that record, | sat there and al
lowed them to cross-question me as If had
been criminal! 1t was cruel, uncalled for.
I think they might have told me. They
cauid at least have asked me plainly wheth-
er had the record or not, and could have
satisfied them. How foolish and unneces-
sary the whole thing was" She spoke soft
IL. but he could see that she was worried
and agitated. She seemed almost fearful.
Then the waiter began to serve the dinner
and the day saved. She looked up at
him at last. In her deep blue eyes he saw
softer lights playing and even a faint smile
curved the rosy lips.
Don't be so regretfulH he found the
courage to say. If that had never hap
pened-
-''this would never have happened she
finished, and then she blushed furiously and
began on Ter soup.
But, the story is not finished" she began
again abruptly. her confusion gone. after
l convinced them, thought did,>at the
end Of that interview that l didn't have the
record, why did Miss Warren and Mr..
urai fancy to me? Why that automobile
ride: Why that dinner? Why you? Why
everything"- Please tell me-"
The professor tried to trace the thread of
events for her. to make her understand the
workings of Mr. Chalmers mind. He told
her how they had managed to convince
themselves that she did have the record and
of how the idea finally took possession of
Mr.. Chalmers and he became obsessed with
it. He explained how this led to the sug-
gestion that Miss Warren entertain her
with the view of getting information as to
her plans and how Carter Raines had sim
ply been brought in as convenience.
Il had talk with both Mr. Chalmers and
Mr. Lawrence after you and Miss Warren
went to the matinee this afternoon he
said, "and | tried to make them see the alb
Surdity of their supposition | saw it. |
knew Miss Warren and the boy were only
interested because spending money on din
ners. theaters and all that was novel ex-
perience for them and l somehow didn't like
the idea of their using you as their tool in
this way. That was why l agreed to their
suggestion that | should see you tonight.
While | was by means willing to play
the role Of detective. l did want to see you
and tell you the whole situation freely and
frankly so that you would be in position
to protect yourself in future from their sus-
picons and their jokes. They didn't seem
willing to accept my opinion that you could
not possibly have the record because they
knew had you only once, for short
while. But | knew they would take my word
for il after had seen and talked with you"
How shall l ever, ever be able to thank
you"' she said, and tears did come into her
eyes and make her blink little as she tried
to begin her dinner.
ITO thank me"' he said, trying in his
awkward way to soothe her, and to persuade
her to leave the subject and be happy again.
what have you to thank me for? Many
woman would be seriously offended with me-
l am only glad that you not"
And the dinner was very delightful one
that reminded her of New Orleans. The
walters spoke to the professor in French.
and he replied, sometimes in the actual
words she had heard him say in the little
machine her closet shelf when it meant
SO much to her.