Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-22

Y lila SMITH and her escort had
passed into the restaurant before
Inspector Wade could bestir
IL himself. When the obsequiouS
commiSsionaire had returned to
the door Wade strolled up to him.
WAS that Col. Martin I saw go IN
there?" he asked. :
The commissionaire looked at him
susp. ciously.
''Oueer. I could have sworn 1t was
he" said Wade, and would have en-
tered the building, but the commission
aire blocked his way.
This isn't the way to the restaurant
sir These are the private rooms ana
banquet halls. The restaurant door is
on the next street"
John Wade saw that the man and
Lila were passing through doorway
and had turned left, evidently to
staircase.
Now. perhaps. you'll tell me- some
sr.3g 1 want to know" Wade's voice
was s,utIIv. isative
II am an inspector Vi police. If you
will call the constable at the corner,
he can probably identify me-"
That's all right, Mr.. Wade" the
commissionaire was almost apologize,
81 recognize you now-I've seen your
/ couldn't answer questions"
II understand that" said Wade ami
ably. who went in just now?"
The man shook his head.
81 haven't the slightest idea, sir. He
and the young lady dine here aoouG
once a year-certainly not cftener. !
think he must be her father. One OF
the walters said he's an officer in the
Indian Army and only comes nome
every year" 49,,
why, yes. sir, said the coinmls-
sionaire in surprise. Shes quite a
vornr lady. She's at school some
where
John Wade considered the situation
quickly.
Eighteen" Then the commission
aire added: II can tell you his name
sir-it'll be in the book"
He disappeared down the passage and
returned very soon. -.
'BroWn-Mr. Brown. He's rlch
man according to the head waiter
Is there anything wrong about them?
he asked anxiously
II don't know" said Wade shortly
ST suppose there's no way OF getting
a glimpse of them? I don't want you
to see the head waiter, or make fuss
about it that'll start people talking;
The commisSionaire hesitated. Then
nineteen isn't occupied. You migh
step into that, Mr.. Wade. I'll tell tnt
head waiter that you want to write
letter. But you understand, sir. oon'
know who you are-Td probably LOST
my job"
John Wade was reassuring him or
this point when there came upon TAI
scene one whom the inspector was u
meet again, in less pleasant clrcum
stances. Wade stood beyond the patcf
of light thrown from canopy as TIT
swaying figure in evening dress ap
preached.
Il say i. Tha's pretty girl
Tha's beauty"
The newcomer lurched into the light
thick-set, red of face, with little rec
rnustache. His pale blue eyes staree
owlishly down the corridor.
"Whosh that, Bennett?" :,
ST don't know their names, m lord
John Wade gave the man one glanc
before he turned into the restaurant
A second later he opened the door Q
No. 10 and found himself in small
rather ornately furnished dining room
Near the window was a door leading =
No. 10. He crept to it. There was n
sound of voices, and, turning the handl
with great caution. he pulled the doc
slightly ajar, and found second 600
beyond.
Voices were family audible-th
deep. gruff tones of the man and tn
soft voice of Lila. So this was 1.-The ex
perience"! Every year. like a moderl
Cinderella, she doffed her old clotne