Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-26

declared Nobody could Eddie Rays SO
afraid of the police that"
1.-THE police won't be in this; Mr.. Rowland
doesn't want the police. That's why he got a
private bureau And I've got to go back
A HULKING man opened the thick oak
door after continual ringing
''Oh, Mr.. Riley" he said relaxing his scowl
for Hugo
THE lady dropped her handbag in the
dressing room"
"a lot of 'em do" grunted the doorkeeper.
and stood hesitant. "She can find the way"
he decided, and let them pass.
The big room with its zigzag walls and
gilded stairways had taken on the look of a
diSmantled circus Chairs were piled on tables
and sickish daylight cast unfiattering shadows
under the silver canopy where the band
screamed out its broken harmonieS But Maud,s
eyes were on the big Chinese vases. There
were four OF them, and in the changed pic
ture she was not sure whether Rowland's table
had been by the second or the third She
neSitated at the second; it was too far from
the dance floor.
The right one must be over there Fur
tive footsteps came sinking across the boards
causing her to cringe back, draw Hugo after
her into the shadow. In o pallid blot of
light cast by some obscure window she saw
the figure Of Van Nee still In evening clothes
but no longer the audacious man of the world
Doubled up. sneakng like o pickpocket. he
darted forward, buried his hands in the third
vase and brought something out All in the
space OF flve seconds.
You stop-you-" Mauds shout died in a
gurgie.
Here you. what's the idea?" Hugo,s deem
voice Numbered through the deserted han For
It had become inexplicably deserted Without
sound. Van Nee had made OF. slamming
door announced the complete failure of Maud's
little scheme
The jar of the taxi stopping at her apart
ment house awoke Maud. Numbly tired she
made her way up to the sixth floor There
was no sign of Hector. She waited
a ring at the belll And there was Hector
driver '-N-
Hell be all right lady" explained the taxt
man. He led his fare to an overstufTed sofa
ana waited for his money
Here" Hector brought out a hill Ana
when the man was gone. she put her arm
around his shoulder, He WINGED away mot
there. Doll, I'm shot"
"Shot?"
Take on my coat Be careful of that left
There was only little blood ON the sb,rt-
sleeve, but when she ripped it away. she saw
wicked blue spot in the middle of his bieenS
She was cool now like war nurse.
Can ! get you into the BEDROOM"
pure: DOH. I'm all right" With no help
&c All, ne rose and walked down the corridor
smiling sick smile. he threw himself ON his
bed, so little occupied of hate Nov lister
money. The fool got nervous and nred Just
one snot He got my gun In the scufne. CAN
DR.. McGruder. Don't get anybody else Hes
IN our employ. He went talk"
Hectcr-" even then she must know-"cid
Van Nee"
"Yeh. Doll, look in my inside coat
pocket"
she fumbled in his coat until her fingers
touched hard metal. Then neryo,lsIv as n n
might turn and bite her. she brought o,,t NErS
Rowlands bracelet ---'
He put up a swell fight But got it." Saw
ing this. he grinned and tainted
In her leap toward him Maude Knocked the
Funny how you remember these unimportant
things ''i'O' 'AAi'
was O'Clock and Mrs. Rowland WASN'T nm
yet: she had a headache; she had nerves
MAUD Stoat knowing just how she felt, had no
intention OF relieving her pain. She sat in the
fuSSy foyer of the Rowlands' Giant anartyrsrt
ana ner eyes were tired of gazing at too much
sht' TOO much panelng. too many mirrors with
money written all over them. "-'-'
az. Madame says" reported the maid returning.
that she viii be unable - see YOU TO-DAY. She
has A." sic
Headache" supplied Maud. The Girl hest.
t@ted, waiting for the visitor To 90 "rJero -
On scrap of envelope Maud scrawled f1v.
WORDS question: Shall ten your h,,sband9
miss me-" "
The maid came back promptly. She led
Maud through labyrinths of faddish olaze6
wallpaper and admitted her to a room. all lace
ana violet and expensive perfume. GLADYS
Rowland lay on q chaise Tongue a swirl ~
silvery mesh. Her eyelids ouened beoviIv ~
the sight of the small figure
FleaSe close the door," she droned sleepily.
There's draft. Thank you" Maud found
herself a chair
AHr-