Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-23
HE RAGGED
PRINCESS
By
Edgar
Wallace

other side OF him to make absolutely
sure, she saw the little mole on his
cheek by which she was to identify him.
without further ado, she took the pack
age from her pocket and went up to
| him.
This is for madam" she said.
| He started, looked at her search
ingly, then slipped the, package into
his pocket SO quickly that she could
hardly follow his movements.
"Bien!" he said. will you thank
| mohaieur? And"
| He spun around quickly, but the man
who had caught his wrist possessed a
grip which was not likely to be shaken.
| AT the same moment somebody slipped
an arm in Audrey's.
II want you, my young friend" said
a pleasant voice. II am Capt. Shannon
| of Scotland Yard
| He stopped, staring down at the
! frightened face turned up to his.
My ragged princess!" he gasped.
please let me CO." She attempted
to free herself. She was horribly
| frightened, and for second felt
physically sick. i've got to go to
she checked herself in time.
ITO see Mrs. Elton, Of course" said
Shannon, scrutinizing her.
mo, I haven't to see Mrs. Elton.
really don't know Mrs. Elton" she said
breathlessly.
He Snook his head.
I'm afraid we'll have to talk about
that. don't want to hold your arm.
Will you come with me?"
Are you arresting me?" she gasped.
He nodded gravely.
I'm OBTAINING you-until q little
matter is cleared up. I'm perfectly
sure you're an innocent agent in this,
just as I am equally sure that your
sister isn't.
Dora? Was he talking about DJra?"
she asked herself with a sinking heart.
His tone. the hard Judgment IN tie
voice. told the girl something she did
not want to know. Something Shat
shocked her beyond expression. Then,
Forcing every word, she said:
I'll talk the matter ever with ulaas-
ure, and won't make any attempt
to get away. But haze not come
from Mrs. Elton's. and she Is not my
sister. The storv told you this after
noon was untrue"
But why?" he asked as they walked
together through the store corridor to
the courtyard.
Because" she hesitated. IT knew
you were detective"
He signaled cab, gave directions
and helped her inside.
You're lying to shield your sister
and Bunny Elton" he said. IT hate
using the word lie to you, but that's
what you're doing, my child"
Her mind was in a turmoil from
which one clear fact emerged. 1t was
not miniature that she was carrying
from Dora to the mythical wife; 1t was
something more important-something
horribly serious.
What was in the parcel?" she asked
huskily.
THE Queen of F1nland,s diamond
necklace, unless I'm greatly mistaken.
Her carriage was held up In the Mall
four nights ago and the jewels were
stolen from her neck"
Audrey sat up with grimace Of
pain. 1t was as though he had struck
her. Dorai She had read something
OF the affair in the newspaper which
he had bought for her at Barnham
Junction. Mrs. Grant, had spoken of
the crime. For time she sat paralyzed
with horror.
"of course. you didn't know what it
was he said, and he was speaking to
himself. "It's a hateful thing to ask
you to do, but you must tell me the
truth. even If it brings your sister to
the place that has been waiting for her
these many years"
The cab seemed to go around and
around, the stream of lights and traffic
through the window became q con-
fused blur.
do what you can for Dora" Her
mothers insistent lesson. almost for
gotten, was ringing in her ears. She
was trembling violently: her brain had
gone numb and would give her no guild
ance. All that she knew was that she
was under arrest--she, Audrey Bedford