Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-09-17
BLUE MURDER
By Edmund Smell.
Thrilling story Of
- o in Peril.
Bv Edmund Smell.
Dighton dropped it onto the seat be-
side him and felt in his pocket.

| Dighton dropped it onto the seat be-
side him and felt in his pocket.
That's quite all right, SIR" pursued
| Hodges, retreating to the platform.
You was good officer, sir-never
knew better. Glad to be able to do
you turn
He glanced behind him.
You're almost due off. strand Miss
Haye wants to speak to you"
Dighton came to his senses with a
jerk
Gretal At this time Of night He
had caught glimpse of her in the
fiat that Notwithstanding more. But
he had hardly expected this.
She swept past the chauffeur-an
impulSive bundle of furs and silk and
scent-and parcel of things shot from
her arms onto the cushions-magazine
tobacco. cigarettes of the sort he had
declared did not touch his throat, and
chocolate.
Alan" she whispered delightedly,
Selling both his hands. Il just had to
come. Uncle was called away just in
time-and then that letter came. Wasn't
it providential?"
Dighton rubbed his chin.
II say" he gasped, cts awfully good
of you-and all that; but won't there
be row?"
Il don't care If there is. I couldn't
bear to think of you going away for
goodness knows how long without say
ing good-by-come back SOON
III do my best, dear"
She gaZed dreamily at the light
Il shall never forget last night for
as long as I live. Oh, it didn't begin
at the Ccckatoo Club. my dear, but long
before that, before you saw me almost.
The moment noticed you at Donati's
something inside me went click! Then
a little devil began to work. All the
time I was sitting in Lady Turnham's
box I kept thinking of you. Aren't
you feeling frightfully conceited?"
I'm feeling frightfully proud"
She withdrew her hand and clasped
them behind her
And now you're going away from
me-and I shall never want to dance
again"
"Oh, yes, you will!'
She shook her head
''Good-by, old thing. If ever you
get to Rome, look in and see Daddy,
I'm going out to him for a month
in the Spring. And write to me every
day"
He reached for her arms and drew
her closer.
l. d
long budget once week; I can't prom
Use more. You've got to trust me ire
mendously, even when the promised
letters fail to show up. I've known
glrlS-ScoreS of 'em-but none of them
has ever appealed to me like you"
For the second time in his life he
kissed her lips.
Presently he held her away from him.
looking at her hungrily.
You're wonderful" he muttered,
land I don't deserve you! But I'll
never let you down, little woman; you
can stake your life on that"
She drew the glove from her left
hand and moved the emerald ring to
her engagement finger, just as the
whistle blew.
The train was moving when Dighton
handed her out to Hodges, who, with
minded them of his presence when he
was wanted.
'Good-by, dear, and good luck!"
The fiutter of a handkerchief, plat
form, station, familiar advertisement
signs all slipping away into November
night, pathetic little group turning
away to retrace their. steps to the bar
rier porterS, newsboyS dis
tributors of pillows and refreshments
preparing to go home.
Dlghton drew in his head and picked
up the envelope.
The address was typewritten-Alan
Dighton, Esq, in capitals, and the re-
mainder in normal type. There was
something bulky understanding, in
all probability, that he had left in the
Office and the caretaker had found
And yet, he remembered. he had never
mentioned the fiat in Park lane.
He slit the top with his finger and
jumped back as if he had been struck.
There fell on to his palm a circular
disk OF Jade-green bone, an inch and a
half or so in diameter, with the head
of lizard impressed in gold on the side
that was uppermost!
There was no letter in the envelope
just that.
He tore the paper into little strips
and allowed them to f1utter to the
floor at his feet. Suddenly he threw
back his head and laughed. aloud.
The Lizard had sent him his card
the sign and Superscription of the best
informed scoundrel in Europe! He in
tended Dighton to know that his iden-
tity was discovered, and that the events
ot the previous night were not forgotten.
The adventurer unbuttoned his Jacket
and thrust the disk into a waistcoat
pocket.
1t was challenge, of course-a chal-
lenge to mortal combat and, as such,
Dighton accepted it.
The game had begun-and he was
in it, up to his neck! He had been
surprised at the appearance of the
token, but it did not disturb him unduly.
1t would be struggle to the bitter end
"a sort Of perilous obstacle race, with
Greta standing at the winning post.
Remembering her as he had last seen
her, he thought it was worth it-every
bit!
ITO Be Continued Tomorrow