Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-09-23

come aware OF eyes IKE poWellui MAG
nets drawing him. 1t was as IL that
single. malicious glance OF MS mao SCI
in motion hidden machinery OF Wilo5e
power and possibilities ne was "iioliS
ignorant. .a,od
Across the carpeted floor he watched
yellow curtains Tapping against a dress-
ing-table of polished satin-Wood ana nus
thoughts drifted back to a night IN
Taverner's study when other curtains
had blown against an overturned laole
and he had seen the first victim OF
Ahlborg's Pocket Death.
II was simple for Marney to Suggest
an intrigue with Ahlborg's beWltcnlng
friend. without the exchange OF
single word he was more than haHWay
toward that goal now-and. yet ne was
neither triumphant nor elateo at ms
success These people with whom ne
was dealing were not ordinary people:
The Lizard was an expert in CRIME,
Ahlborg an expert chemist. With these
accepted facts in view. he had no reason
to suppose that Mafalda PaSquan was
any less an expert in her particular
sphere of operations.
He paced the room reStleSSly Tor some
moments. with the pipe between MS
teeth and the match still innsbruck.
It was his Job to cultivate the friend
ship of Mafalda, he told himself. 1t
was not a question of unfaithfulnesS TO
Greta. but a definite move toward
definite end. He tried to persuade NM
self that the task did not appeal to him,
that he had agreed to it because there
was no other alternative, and that ne
was strong enough to eXtricate himself
when the crucial moment arrived. And
vet. somewhere behind all this there
iurked an element of doubt. The eyes OF
Mafalda Pasouali were distinctly dis
turbing. completing as they did PIC
ture with whose loneliness he was al
ready impressed.
1t was approaching 10 when he cross
ed the road by the bridge which leo
from the hotel to the Casino itself and
entered the gardens which decorated
the cliff ledge, Dimly conscious OF a
armament of twinkling stars, of colored
lamps lining an asphalt path through
shadowy foliage, of the Seething OF
water among rocks somewhere below, he
made his way in the direction of wide
entrance hall and the strains OF dance
orchestra.
Under a domed roof on a polished
floor bounded on two sides by tall. plate
glass windows a dozen couples were
dancing, with eight or ten others look
ing on.
He paused on the threshold, lingering
his tie.
His first survey of the gathering fail
ed to reveal the face of a single soul he
knew even by sight He spotted Ahlborg
presently over at the far end, sitting
with his huge hands clasped between his
knees and ConyerSlng with an elderly,
gray-haired woman in a black frock.
4 minute later he made out Mafalda
dancing with a little fat man, who
seemed hot and not very expert. A
youth who was obviously English swept
past him, partnering f1apper with ugly
legs.
voice that was strangely familiar
breathed in his ear.
Ma fol, but it is surely the fair
Anglais from the train! You remember
me. m'sieur?"
Diehton turned.
He remembered her quite well. 1t was
Mile Rollin, the bird of passage, looking
more artificial and more radiant than
ever. He wondered what had happened
to Blythe.
How d'you do?" he murmured, and
stuck both hands in his pockets. A re-
newal of their brief acquaintance did
not appeal To him vastly.
"Oh!" pursued the siren: but you
will dance with me? It is too absurd
There are not enough men here, you
know. and the orchestra is really play
ing quite we'll"
Dighton capitulated.
You were too proud to take the little
bus from the station" inSinuated Mile
Rollin as they danced My friend ano
I saw you walk into a taxi like grand
cuke!-and the little American has left
you? That is pity, hein?-he was very
rude, Of course, but he was also very
amusing. How do you like this placer
Not bad" he returned.
Nile. Rollin shrugged her shoulders
I'm afraid it is going to be very
quiet-too quiet. perhaps They say the
scenery is beautiful; but you do not
want to look at scenery all the time
1t is so cold. too"
Yes" said Dighton, absently; Il sup
pose it is
They were abreast of Mafalda and hel
partner now. and her dark eyes were
flashing messages which the adventure
was endeavoring to pick up.
Superimposed as it were on the un.
Ceasing stream of chatter that trickleC
from Mile. Rollins lips. he deciphered
who is that woman you are dancing
wIth?-an abandoned creature surely
This tat brute who is holding me dance:
like a pig!"
Other couples came in between then
and reception was bad after that A
moment later the music stopped abrupt
IT, and the Signorina Pasquali, freed il
some miraculous way from her burden
touched him deliberately on her wa,
out
Dighton escorted the Rollin woman t,
chair. assured himself that Ahlbors
was still occupied with the dowager il
IL /, i
room. AS he scrambled into his over
coat he caught a fieeting glimpse of
slender form in sables lowering by tn
outer doorway. A small hand. twink
ling with diamonds, waved him a littl
gesture that fired the blood in his veins
fastening into the garden he caugh
the little tap-tap-tap of feminine heel
on asphalt and a ripple of mockin,
laughter from somewhere close at hand
game of hide-and-Seek tantalizingl
prolonged led him presently down flight
of crazy steps to a sort of rocky arbo
by the bathing place There was moth
ing but the ocean in front, the towering
cliff behind and two fieSh-colore
stockings showed against a patch Q
biackneSs.
He stood for a space with his back {
her gazing at the circles of white foar
bubbllng around the rocks. A secon
ripple of laughter. Just audible agains
the noise of the sea- decided him.
He approached the owner Of the flesh
colored stockings.
$50 the beautiful signorina is tired Q
dancing with her fat friend?" he Sug
eested.
Something glinted yellow in truar
ray of light and multitude Of ring