Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1925-06-27

fer the handbag. II he had had bis
wits about him, he would have made
his purchases before he had checked
the bag, and left them safely inside II.
However, he was now entitled to a late
luncheon, and he consumed this with
considerable relish at a restaurant he
had liked ia the old days He was
leaning back, smoking a cigarette, with
mind almost at peace, which for him
meant a mind empty OF thought, when
a reflection struck him Ike a blow.
Its force brought him upright in his
chair.
Suppose that hurry call to New York
had something TO do with Madame
Hyoeslefs leather case?
He took out his handkerchief and
wiped a forehead suddenly damp. AS
he did so, he uttered the abrupt note
that was his nearest approach to a
laugh.
He had promised Madame Hvoeslef
that the bag should not leave his
hands for one moment He had as
sired Atkins that 1t had not left his
hands. He had believed he was telling
the truth But now he recalled some
thing that made him set his teeth.
The bag had been ont OF his hands. He
had left 1t on his bed when he went
into the bathroom to wash his hands
and he had spent a few minutes
cropping around for a towel
Well, suppose be had? His wretched
nerves would make the most Of that,
but his common sense need not. Moth
ing had happened to the case in those
few minutes. No one had been inside
his room, though someone had locked
the door on the outside. Suppose
suppose
He sprang to his feet, summoned his
waiter, and paid his bill. He would
suppose nothing He need not con-
tinue 10 let his imagination run away
with him. There was a very simple
way TO find out that the square pack
age was all right. He need only go
to the telephone and call up Atkins.
As Renshaw spoke, Atkins voice took
| on a note of excitement.
I'm glad you called up" he said
rapidly. ANY clue YETI"
Renshaw molstened his lips and
brought out a question. For another
moment the two men talked at cross
purposes. Then, very slowly, Rem
shaw's mind took In what the other
was saying. After he, Renshaw, had
left the Trust cOmpany's offices, At
kins had opened the square case, as q
final precaution before committing 1t
to the vaults He paused at this mo-
ment In his recital 10 mention bitterly
that he should have done this before
handing over a receipt For the case,
| when opened, contained only one thing
and that one thing was a large col
lection Of nice. clean, smooth sheets
Of white writing paper. From the
poignant note Sir. Atkins voice took
on at this point In the recital, Rem
shaw further grasped the fact that
the paper was not at all what Mr..
Atkins had expected to find In the
square leather case
Il telephoned at once to Madame"
Atkins went on. Throughout, Rem
shaw noted, he had been careful TO
mention no names. Naturally. she
| became very much excited"
Renshaw hung up the receiver. At
kins had told him all he knew From
a certain nervous clicking OF the in
strument, he suspected that Atkins de-
sired to continue the conversation, but
he had no time for that.
lie hurried out Of the building, flung
| himself into a taxlcab, and was driven
to the Waldorf There he went in turn
through the restaurant and Peacock
alley, without finding the two women
he sought lie dared not ask for them
or dared he7 Atkins had been so
careful about mentioning names. lie
decided at last 10 inquire at the desk
for Miss Campbell Almost anybody
might be Miss Campbell Miss Camp
bell, he learned, was not egistered
at the hotel
Renshaw returned to Peacock alley
with his problem II was after three.
Hart was to call for the women at
four They had not registered, Of
course. for luncheon They had gone
out doubtless, after luncheon. But
they would return 10 the Waldorf as a
starting point at four,
lie sat down gloomlly. drew his hat
over his eyes to shut out the brilliant
pageant that increasingly swept past
him, and reconciled himself TO the
long wait,