Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-08-05

knocked me silly and bolted The maid
had probably left the gray silk muller
on her first visit, and he snatched 1t
up to conceal his face as he ran down
the stairs The footsteps I heard when
was waiting we're probably the loot
steps of the ladys maid coming back
for the letter. OF course, this leaves
a lot to be explained, but It's as near
as I can get until / have a talk with
Lady Lettuce They tell me that she Is
sensible girl. and. If so, | snail hope
to get the truth from her,
The telephone bell rang and the sub
commissioner nodded dismissal.
Good luck to you" he said. Come
to see me when you get back
DENSKIN was obliged to exercise his
ID patience. for Lady Lettuce, who was
surrounded by friends, was almost mac
cessible.
Cant do anything about introducing
YOU yet, old chap" his companion point
ed out. what's the game, really? Are
you looking after the presents"
Don't be a fool" Benskin reJoined.
I'VE generally employ women for that
part of the game. What / want Is a
few minutes private conversation with
Lazy iJGlllCt. LIZ yuu hAhC" AANA W.
enough to arrange it?"
WHY. you idiot, she's my cousin the
Young man contided. Il can manage
that all right. Nothing wrong. / hope?
Nothing In the least wrong, BensKln
assured him Il Just want little infor-
nation that she can give me- that's all,
and I'd much rather get 1t informally,
like this"
"Ill 60 and find her" Mcintyre pro-
posed. You hang about here. l won't
be longer than can help
He reappeared in about 10 minutes
with Lady Lettuce by his side. She was
tall and dark. with deep-set blue eyes
beauty of several seasons standing.
She came up to Benskin and accepted
McIntyres introduction gracefully.
What about some tea. Lettice?" the
latter suggested.
something better than that. Come
aloner' She led them to smaller
room, where a butler and two footmen
were dispensing refreshments, Three
champagne cocktails, Groves she or
dsred. She led them to a secluded
place. and by and by. Mcintyre rose.
''Iettice," he explained. my friend
here, Mr.. Benskin. has something to say
TO you. viii you give him Just a min
ute please? You can trust him. He's
all right"
why. with pleasure. she assented
readily What can 1 do for you, Mr..
Benskin?"
Eric Mcintyre had drifted away, Ben
skin spoke as lightly as he could.
You won't mind, will you, II con-
fess that I am connected with Scotland
Yard?"
She suddenly stifened There was
drawn look about her mouth momen-
tary flash of horror In her eyes. Then,
almost as quickly. she recovered herself.
II was as though she had remembered
something reassuring.
"Will you let me talk TO you for Just
three minutes?" he begged Il am mere
entirely to help you. II can"
You think that / need help" she
asked. with some return OF her former
manner.
Il think that you do" he acknowl-
edged gravely. Lady Lettuce. tell me
II am making mistake. You are be-
ing blackmailed are you not. on account
Of letter that fell into the hands of
some one living In Mendel street,"
She nodded THAT Is very nearly the
truth" she confessed,
You intrusted your maid recently
to end the matter and procure the re-
turn Of your letter. The maid parted
with the hundred pounds. but. in some
way she was tricked. The man refused
to keep his part OF the bargain.
That Is quite true" the girl admit
ted. with some surprise. Il do not blame
Harriet. He was so horrible such a
vile personi What happened was that,
when she got there. to his rooms. he
said that he must have another thirty
pounds. She came back to me. and l
managed to raise X, somehow. But,
when she returned to Mendel street. she
thought she heard some one else in the
room, and she was frightened,
Il understand" Benskin murmured
sympathetically,
THE letter was one that has been
terribly on my conscience. ever since l
wrote IT," Lady Lettice went on, tWirltng
very beautiful ring round and round
upon her finger Il was SO weary, so
tired Of life a month or SO ago, and
there was a man who has always been
more or less In love with me. He Is
k- fVtA