Evening star., 1927-04-22

tell anybody else about Holbrook. You
know that the doctor claims he lost
a very valuable buckle--worth a for
tune apparently"
Not the buckle of Isis?" she said
in amazement.
''You knew about it, did your" he
asked quickly Yes, that is the thing
which has been lost Apparently the
old man has had it for some time and
the loss is a very considerable one 10
him"
But when was it stolen?"
Last night. He went into his
study. found his safe open and the
buckle gone. That is the second
burglary he has had in week. OBJ
viously, if Holbrook was on the prem
ises he would be suspected.
Then whoever suspected him
would be wrong she said promptly.
"Mr. Holbrook did not know where
the study was until / pushed him in
to hide from DIR. Latin. He may be
many things, but he is not a bur
glar."
He thought while,
'Then how on earth did he get
into the house," he demanded.
1t was a question she had asked
herself, for she knew something of
the precautions which Latin had
taken to avoid repetition of a
previous visitation.
Fortunately Betty had not much
time to think about things that morn
ing. She telephoned to De Fell at his
house and was given an appointment.
and at 1l:30 she was on the
deserted stage at the Pallodrome
Theater waiting an opportunity to
speak to the busy young man who
was deep in conversation with a
good-looking, white-haired man, OBJ
liYious to the rehearsal which was
proceeding and which involved a con-
siderable amount of noise and move
ment, for the producer was licking
his pony" chorus into shape. Pres
emily he saw her. lifted his hat and
smiled, and beckoned her across to
him.
DE Fell was a young American who
had taken London by storm with the
beauty of his production.
This is one of the most promising
Of our younger actresses he said,
to her surprise and pleasure. Meet
Miss Carew. Mr.. Stone is an Ameri-
can who has nothing to do with the
theatrical business. Miss CareW. Also
he is a confirmed bachelor, one of
the richest men in California and a
very good friend Of mine.
Betty took the proffered hand with
a little smile. De Fells 'biograph-
ical introductions" were famous. 1t
was said that he could not introduce
a stage hand without supplying his
toriCal details.
you're not even interested in this
production. Mr.. Stone?" said Betty, a
little aWlSWaTdlV
mo. Miss Carew" Lambert Stone
shook his head. This world is one
apart And, frankly, it's only merit
in my eyes is its association with
De Fell"
He was yooking at her with quiet
admiration.
THAT is bad news for fortune.
hunting actress" she said with mock
solemnity. Confirmed bachelor is
a challenge to every self-respecting
Womann'
He laughed softly.
'I shouldn't think So" he said. 'I
was confirmed in my bachelordom
many years ago, but if / were shaken
at all from my fixed determination to
go through life without adding to the
natural miseries of any woman now
would be the moment"
They both laughed together and
for the time being Betty was so alb
sorbed in the personality Of her new
acquaintance that she forgot her er-
rand. 1t was De Fell who reminded
her.
II hope you haven't come for that
part, Miss Carew?" he said. Il kept
it open until last Saturday, but now
it Ia filed"
Seeing her crestfallen face, he
asked quickly:
lis it q matter of vital Importance
to you?"
NO" she said with smile, eff you
mean, am | without money!
I'm opening in eight weeks time
at the Grand" he said. ''If you can
last till then | will give you q really
good part"
The news was disappointing, but in
way Betty was glad. She had
worked without break for seven
months-she had come into THE Girl
from Fez' from a road tour-and the
two months of idleness were welcome.
ON her way home she decided to
call at the Orpheum to collect a few
of her belongings. Happily, the thea
ter was empty. the rehearsals for the
new play not having started, and she
packed her bag at her leisure and