Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-02-16

By 01029

ly form, Pat and Margery exper-
fenced a sense Of security they had
not felt since Jimmy's coming to
the house. Old Mays claws were
cut too short for scratching in that
direction, at all events, they as
sured each other.
But Fox Maxwell vas a versatile
william, as Pat and her friends had
been given plenty Of evidence. Fail
r on their part, SO far, to fully
appreciate his cleverness, had cost
Pat heavily.
II was to cost even more heavily.
The hotel where Madame Leclerc
had taken up her abode upon her
arrival in New York, was petite and
exclusive. The eXqulsitely furnish
ed office vas located on the second
floor and reached by q wide stair
case and an elevator. Pat and Mar
gerry left the big limousine at the
curb. with Bill Perkins at the
wheel, and ran hurriedly up the
stairs. They were already ten min
utes behind the scheduled time for
meeting their friends as they ap-
preached the clerks desk and Mar
gerry asked that functionary 10 call
Madame Leclerc's and inform
her that the Misses Blair and Lyn-
nj were awaiting her.
The expression on the clerks face
as he looked at the exceedingly
pretty ana extensively dressed
girl was battling. He seemed both
surprised and embarrassed.
Why, really" he managed fin
ally. Il hardly know just what to
say to you. However, this IS the
situation: A telephone call came
last evening at 1880 O'Clock for
Madame Leclerc, from a Miss Blair.
II was a request TO tell the Madame
that Miss Blair wished TO see her
as soon as possible; for her 10 call
a taxi and come to the house"
The girl at the switchboard took
the message and reported it to the
night clerk, who Immediately call
ed Madame in her room and re-
peated 1t to her. She told him to
order q taxi and five minutes later
she came down, entered the taxi
and-that's the last seen OF her.
When the maid reported her abb
sence this morniDg-that her room
had not been occupied-we were
naturally worried. Not because OF
the bill. necessarily-she has bag
gage covering that-but the circum-
stances are unusual, not in keeping
with the hotels policy. But if one
Of you is Miss Blair. then per-
haps-" He paused tentatively, an
inquiring CLEAN in his eyes.
Margery, her own eyes filled with
n strange. new apprehension, turn
ed and looked at her friend, who
was staring in wide eyed wonder
ment at the clerk.
But II didn't c-call Madame
last night" suffered Pat protest.
lngly. almost Indignantly. Her gaze
shifted. encountering that or Mar
gerry. who signalled her a warning
glance. The ex-War nurse turned
back to the clerk.
Something Of a very serious ma
ture must have happened to Madame
Lcclerc," she said, succeeding by a
mighty effort in keeping her own
voice from trembling. Otherwise
she would be here waiting for rs
today. Someone has made unauthor-
ize Q use Of Miss Blair's name to n
vcigle Madame away from the
hotel. II Is q matter for police in
vestigation. I'm sure, and as soon
as we've told --e friends We are
to meet. well report it TO the police
at cncel You needn't worry about
her hotel bill; that will be taken
care of"
She placed a hand on Pats arm.
"We must hurry, dear" she said
in a lc-- tone. and with a nod 70
the puzzled clerk she plotted her
friend 10 the stairway and down to
the waiting car. Ten minutes later
they were excitedly r%ecOunting the
particulars attaching 70 this last
niece OF deviltry on the part Of
Maxwell. For there had been no
question IN the mind OF either Mar
gerry or Pat from the moment the
clerk had spoken as 70 who was
responsible for Madame Leclerc's
disappearance. The question that
bothered them all a Why had
the Madame been picked as a VIC
i'm TO the Fox's Vaccinations?
C-O BE CONTINUED