Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-08
CHAPTER xxx.
ERIC,s uNExPECTEp TRIP.

r. RIG LEDBETTER considered
- F1tz' advice not to 60 behind
the scenes Of La Petite Theater
H. 70 see Nadia Preston.
He decided not TO act the
fool. Perhaps Fitz was right in saying
that Dick Preston was Behaving like
the devil" Husbands did sometimes.
And so Ledbetter sat during the play
between Doreen Larkin and the
Marquesa de Cabrera He wanted 10
sit next to Senorita Flores that he
voice and eyes, but Kirk Stanard had
Unanswered that the senorita sit next
to him, with Bobby again on her left
The Marquesa DE- Cabrera, however
was the senorita's duenna. and talked
quite freely about her charge during
the intermiSsions The Senorita had
never been in the Orient, said the
marquesa, nor anywhere in America
as yet, except New Orleans. Perhaps
he had seen her III Madrid. =.
No, it was not Madrid. Memory was
clarifying its images sufficiently to as
sure him OF that. Things like
that worried him. He so seldom forgot
a pretty woman
do not let 1t trouble you" said the
marquesa. Come to Seville in June
The senorita is to be married then"
Triggers play came to q close
Mazda as q sinuoug and languid siren
had stolen q political secret from the
man she loved to enrich the interests
of her husband whom she loved not
and rise with him to power MAZDA
and the cast took seven curtain calls
Trigger himself came out in deSponse
to cries of "Autllori!" bowling and
smiling nervously.
Ledbetter decided not to 90 t.
Antoine's for his after-theateT supper
but to his own rooms. During an In
Permission he called up Ibo, his half
Negro, half Chinese servant, bidding
him 60 out to the apartment, air II
and makes things ready.
To the surprise of the crowd, Led
better did not go behind the scenes to
congratulate MAZDA. nor were Maids
and Dick among those who drove out
to his apartment. The marquesa. too
was omitted from the party, by heI
she said: had not slept the night be-
fore. Would they drop her at Mr.
Stanard's house2
Kirk and Juanita offered to remain
there with her--Juanita urgently, Kirk
abetting her-but the crowd would not
listen. Shame on you, Juanita
You're the guest of honor. Besides,
the marquesa only needs sleep, and you
two would keep her awake.
So Kirk had gone In with the
marqueSa, had seen her safe In the
hands Of the drowsy Sadie and re-
turned to the car.
At Ledbetter's apartment Ibo admit
ted thu party as 1t arrived In relays
The place had been aired and queer
incense filled the dimly lighted rooms
But there were no signs Of feast.
Ledbetter had picked up his bag on
the wey and came In with 1t about To
20 through to the bed room. Ibo stood
before the bed room door, his yellow
brown face impaSsive, his narrow eyes
for q moment meeting Ledbetter's
Then he stood aside that Ledbettel
might pass and instantly shut the hec
room door. After another moment he
too, went into the bed room, reap
pearing to 60 up TO Fitx.
Mist LedbeFT want you, he said
in his smooth tdiom. Fitz went int
the bed room.
Ledbetter stood nervously In the sen
ter of the room. The drawers o. hi
desk were open, their contents Stfewr
about him on the floor
What in" began Fitz. ''You Rad
q burglar too"
"a burglar" answered Ledbetter
who took nothing but Naida's letters.
My Godl" Fitz spoke under his
breath. He stared ct Ledbetter
'Dick!" he whispered
LAdbetter turned abruptly.
81 warned you" said Fitz Il wired
you not to come back"
Shut upl" Ledbetter answered. MY
trunks at the station. Ny bags
packed. Get rid OF the crowd some
how.
You off?"
New York" said Ledbetter "Tur-
key. I've got 20 minutes. Get rid OF
the crowd"
F4tE came out, looking as disturbed
as he felt.
There was a cable" said FitE
"Eric's sister. They think shes dying
He's leaving tonight
But that's Paris" whispered Emmy
Jean. poor Bessl VIII he make it?'
I'VE hope So" said Fftz.
He opened the door and they went
ont into the hall bIzzing, whispering