Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-09
By
E. PHILLIPS
OPPENHEIM
Copyrieht. 1879, BY North Amer:
lean Newspaper Alliance and
Metropolitan Newspaper eerv-
Ice.

you're a good fellow-of your sort, "
she said, little awkwardly, land Jo-
sephs a devil. sometimes think he's
Satan himself, but. If I lived to be q
hundred years old, he'd be my man."
last saw her sprinting across the
broad platform towards the first OF a
rank of waiting takes. saw her
while she looked around. Her express
sion seemed suddenly strained, almost
ominous. She stood on tiptoe, as
though to whisper the address to the
driver. Then she sprang inside and
disappeared
I found a note from Inspector Bloor
at my rooms, explaining that he was
very busy, but would come to see me
the moment he could leave the Yard
probably between 9 and 10, and at
o'clock that evening, looking perhaps
even more detected than felt, was
ushered into Mr.. Leopold's luxurious
wearing a magnificent plum colored
dressing gown, greeted me warmly.
THE cocktails at once, Maurice" he
ordered, addressing the man who had
admitted me. sit down, Major. Well
how goes it?"
Badly" I admitted
mo word of the young lady?"
Nothing. We have an idea, though
as to what has become of her. and her
uncle is furious. He has turned me out
of the house and given me the sack,
and don't blame him."
Dear, dear me. that's badl You say
that you have a clue though, as to what
has become of the young lady. What
do you mean by that?"
Not exactly a clue" I exclaimed.
I'VE have had an anonymous letter
from a man who has a grudge against
Mr.. Martin HeWs, from which we gath
cred that, in some way or other, she
has fallen into his hands. What it all
means I scarcely understand. I have
only known Mr. Hews a week or so, and
the whole thing is mystery to me-"
Sounds as though it might be a
served. well. here's better luck, Major.
I think you'll find that as good q
cocktail as there Is In London"
The cocktail was certainly good, and
potent enough, as. I discovered from
my first sip.
I'm terribly sorry about last night"
my host continued. How many drinks
did we have in the office? Was it one
or two?"
IT have no idea" confessed. "Of
course. it sounds ridiculous, but the
story I told before the magistrate was
practically the truth, so far as my
memory goes. I just remember step
ping in there. feeling little giddy. and
then everything seemed to go dark"
Just as though all the lights had
gone out eh? 1t was exactly the same
with me the last time was bowled
over.' Well. now. tell me, Major. is
there anything I can do to help?
You've been to Claridge's again, I sup
pose?"
Il was there half an hour ago. They
have heard nothing of Miss EsSiter."
Would you like me to telephone to
Scotland Yard or step down there?"
shook my head gloomily.
VERY good of you. sir replied. but
don't think I should do anything of
that sort for day or two. OF course,
there's always chance that Miss Es-
sitter may have Joined up with some
friends. BreeZeley Mansions a dull
place for anv girl"
MY own idea precisely" Mr.. Leopold
agreed almost eagerly. mo good max
ing fuss before it's necessary. Have
you any clue you can give me as to
who this person may be who sent the
anonymous letter."
Not the slightest in the world" I
admitted. LAS matter of fact. he's