Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-09-20

Now you can pay. Ha. Ha" and sh'
burst into a laugh so harsh and crue
that it made Annes blood run cold
Il never took your man from YOU"
Anne did not finch this time. Straint
had had the power to force her int
writing an unworthy appeal To hel
father. Straine with his hypnotic in
fiuence, But this person had no sucl
uncanny control of her!
You stand there and say that"
the woman flung back contemptu
ously, "oh Well. it does not matte,
now, You have played YOUR las
trick ] shall finish with you as soor
rs l have secured what l came for
Out with it,
What do YOU want OF me-" Anne
was surprised at her own nerve il
the face of this cooked pistol, Mr.
Straine is not here, have not seer
him for several hours. Ask Pedro
he'll tell you where he has gone
Did YOU tell him what he wished
to know" the woman questioned.
LAS far as / was able. l do not
know where my father keeps this ray
you want so much, but | wrote 4
letter to him. asking him to give il
to Mr.. Straine-" Anne's cheeks
flushed painfully, her shame almost
overcoming her.
oh. YOU did, That is we'll. Still
your father may not be willing 10
comply. DO you think he viii respond
to our gentle persuasion.
II do not know" Anne replied
truthfully. this is my first experience
of the kind. Mr.. Straine told me that
he would have TO wait until my
fathers boat comes in on Thursday"
That is a long time to wait in this
place" Sonia remarked sarcastically,
seating herself across the ShadoWy
room, her pistol carefully leveled at
Anne, but while We are waiting I'd
like to ask A few questions myself.
First about Mr.. Dahlgren. He is a
detective in the government service?"
NO. he is reporter for news
paper"
Then how did he happen to be
upon that Ship?'
His paper sent him to gather ma
terial."
The woman gave another horrid
laugh.
You believe that, don't you. You
believe that Mr.. Winston was a poor
demented youth. his mother hysteri-
cal fool, You believe that Victor
Straine is an English scientist, and
that / am a German stewardesS, A
girl like yourself is too young and
silly to be out of the nursery. How
ever. that is of small Importance now!
She paused, and Anne, not finding
any answer to her scorn, remained
silent, wondering what was coming
next. This woman loved Straine and
had come to take revenge upon the
girl who had stolen him away. What
a cruel twist of fate. How many,
sAva le, sr1f-H
tangled skein,
Il presume you have the normal
desire to live?" the woman questioned
presently. that might still be pos
sible if you help me with a little
affair of my own"
What can l do for you?" Anne
could not keep the eagerness from
her voice. I'm sure you know that /
love Mr.. Dahlgren, expect to marry
himsif ever leave this place. Mr..
Straine knows that too"
l observe that you are of a tickle
nature the woman agreed, lone day
this. man, one day another, off with
the old and on with the new, as
quickly as you change your clothes.
] have heard that American women
are without constancy, evidently you
are an excellent example. Unfortu-
l.
1t is sad. but true
Then what do you want Of me?"
IF you should, by any chance, be
able to give me information about
your fathers discovery, the ray We
desire to possess, and l should in re-
turn be able to bring you to this
young man and see you safely re-
united
Yes" Anne's heart leaped high.
Gould you guarantee my safe es-
cape from this country, with the re-
quired information, and Mr.. Straines'
as well?'
But how could I do that?"
Sonia smiled.
Such an able girl as yourself, so
fascinating to men. surely you could
go to the proper person. the one most
high in command, and offer--induce.
ments--"
How could I reach these authori-
ties? I'm a prisoner"
II could manage your escape" the
woman assured her, land take you to
the proper place. Wouldn't it be
worth while?"
What inducement could OFFER"
Anne stalled for time. Was this an
other trap? A ruse to take her out
Of Straine's power, a revenge for her
capture of his heart?
Sonia fixed her eyes upon Anne.
Need a woman ever name the
means she employees to achieve the de
sired end? Men are very susceptible
to you, / observe. You are not un.
aware of this very desirable quality in
yourself?"
"Is this man anywhere near? Must
we take a journey? What will Mr.
Straine think if l disobey him?'
He will not know until your mis-
sion is safely accomplished"
Anne hesitated, not knowing which
way to turn. II she refused, the
woman might shoot her where she
stool, ending everything. II she &C
cepted, she might run into a more des
perate position than her present one
What should she do?
Madame" Anne replied. her mind
whirling, would you be kind enough
to allow me a few minutes for reflec
ton? 1t has occurred to me that
might be able, after time for clear
thinking, to recall those materials with
which my father has been working ir
the last months and. perhaps, by nam
ing them to you and Mr. Starine, en-
able him to identify the ray desired
Mr.. Straine is a most clever scientist
Couldn't you find him and bring hin
here, mea ntime letting me have pencil
and paper" Anne held her breath a:
she finished the sentence. Would the
woman take this chan
Yes. Anne saw the change come
over the hard. cruel face, fash Of in
terest in the swapping black eyes.
You feel that such recollection il
possib,e?" she asked.
well. you understand that | wa
never admitted to the secret of sucl
a discovery, that knew nothing abou
it until Mr.. Straine informed ME of III
existence. but | do assist my father
nd it is more than likely that | have
prepared certain combinations of ma
terials for its use. Mr.. Starine viii
know in minute and in anV cas-