Evening star., 1927-05-01

ing for him when he comes out. If
Larry IS given the order he'll come
clean: Now, are you going to stick a.
OF course. Mary Ii never in.
tended anything else"
Now L think you understand mo
Inc best thing is for you to fade ont
OF the scene and keep under cover
untll this matter is settled. That's all.
| Good-by."
Frazer went out. In minute CIif
ford heard Mary go. and then he him.
self sipped from her suite.
y
| a \ hour after. Frazer. i'm response
to an intriguing telephone mes
sage, walked into an Office that had
| been borrowed by its occupapts for
that particular occasion. These occu-
pants were Clifford and two assistants
When the Parker robbery and Larry
| w heeler had been mentioned Frazer
collapsed and told all he knew about
the affair of Mrs Arlington's penda nj !.
and he consented to go into retire.
ment-which course coincided with
orders from Mary Regan and would
therefore not arouse suspicion-in
custody of the two assistants and to
reappear when Clifford desired
| Clifford prepared to stage the final
act of the Arlington drama in Brad
ley apartment. He had things done
to Bradleys door-the making of a
Key. the careful oiling of every bit of
steel; the filing down of the thread
upon the heavy screws which held in
place the extra bolt and the socket of
the chain bolt: the replacement of all
these so that they looked as solid as
before.
He had several secret conferences
The result of one was that Mrs
Arlington got word to Bradley Thurs.
day that she had raised the S1OO, 900.
but that. because of her husband. she
could not slip away to complete the
transaction until after dinner that
night-the night before her anniver-
sary.
Bradley's reply. as Clifford had an
ticipated, was for her to call at his
apartment at 10 o'clock.
She was no more than admitted
when Clifford. with a hand on Airing
tons arm, was outside Bradley's door.
He had previously sworn Arlington to
remain silent and inactive until re-
leased from his promise.
Clifford noiselessly opened the door
an inch. Voices came out to them.
so YOU have finally decided to set
tie. have you?" inquired Bradley.
Yes. May-may see my pendant,
please?" said Mrs. Arlington.
After YOU have paid the $1,000
agreed upon for its return
Arlington was barely able TO choke
back gasp at this first hint of the
character of his wife's predicament.
But 100000 seems such a lot for a
thing that is only worth $40 900"
Would you rather have YOUR hus-
ho n
pointedly.
Never, But things have developed
unexpectedly since made my promise
to you. l was counting on my mother
Tor most of the money. but she failed
me-. But can't you let me have the
pendant now for $4,000? I'll pay the
balance later"
Il should say not, Mrs Arlington,
That pendant is the bandits chief
item of evidence against you. With
that in your hands. you might refuse
to pay the balance
''Oh. l don't know what I'm going
to do she walled Il simply must
have that pendant tomorrow
Then you'll produce the $780, 900
by tomorrow" Bradley said. ''or else
your husband will learn the truth
about YOU. l may as we'll tell you
that the bandits have learned more
than they formerly knew. They will
tell him that you took advantage of
his absence to become involved in a
clandestine affair with Harold Frazer.
They will tell him about your party
with Mr.. Frazer the night they stole
your pendant. You know what will
happen when Mr.. Arlington learns
these facts"
Clifford had intended that Arlington
should overhear. but he had not in
tended what followed.
WITH the strength of sudden In
sanity Arlington broke away
from Clifford and crashed into the
chamber that served Bradley both as
living room and study and confronted
his wife. Mrs. Arlington backed away
in terror,
Say, what are you doing here?"
thunderetf Bradley.
'Paul-Paul," gasped the terrified
wife. its not the way you think"
1T Is so"' cried Arlington. IF YOU
were not guilty, would you he paving
100000 to keep the thing hidden
from me? Don't lie to me. I've over.
heard everything"
Clifford turned upon Bradley. Be
Z
ford had expected her to be on hand
to help BradIay.
We'll. Bradley" Clifford said. IL
suppose you're sore. since you've seen
the value of that ruby pendant drop
from 100000 to S10,000"'
Bradley almost choked In his fury. |
clifford turned to the husband and !
wife
She was sobbing Historically in
her agony.
"Paul-Paul-I swear-it's not So
It's not so-not the way you think" |
She was a huddled heap of misery |
upon the floor
Clifford laid hand upon the hus.
bands arm.
Arlington. I've let this business GO
as far as it has tonight for the sa Ike 4
or making YOU understand just how |
great fool you are. You are to |
blame for this situation.'
II? When my wife and this
Frazer
''Your wife has a normal woman's
instinct for legitimate pleasure and
Compa nionship. and she'd vastly pre-.
fer having her pleasure in your com
pany. But YOU are so interested i'm
your business and personal ambitions
that YOU have no time for your wife "
Even If l have heen negligent.
Arlington retorted. that's no excuse
for nay wife becoming involved in
such scandalous. sordid intrisue-"
Listen" Clifford interrupted him |
Mrs. Arlington told you the truth.
This is not at all what it seems to
be. Your treatment puts your wife
at the mercy of smooth, clever trick.
sters-and the world is full of trick.
sters on the lookout for her kind of
prey. This affair with Frazer has
been a trick, and your wife has been
It's victim"
WHAT" exclaimed Arlington.
Exactly that--a trick. When Mrs.
Arlington went with friends to the
Pipes o. Pam" Clifford continued.
she was spotted as neglected wife
the sort that makes easy prey. Ac-