The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1933-09-29

the maluS, guests OF OmcldiS, TIE SuOW-
girl herself had not lived there. She
discovered what time, every morning,
her room was cleaned; then let the
chambermaids understand that she In
variably left for business before they
arrived. After that, she just visited
1t once late each day and disturbed 1t
sufficiently to create the impression
that it had been occupied. Meanwhile,
she resided with the Dobsons.
One curious detail in the scheme
was that concerning her disguise.
When Laura Dumont first knew the
show-girl two years before, her hair
had been brown, the same dark, silky
shade that Myra Prentiss possessed.
Since, however. she had evidently had
it bleached to the glorious blond the
detective observed in Philadelphia.
That made it necessary for her to pro-
cure for the girl a blond wig similar
to it for the imposture-the head
dress that eventually betrayed them
both on board the ship.
Rankin found this circumstance
somewhat puzzling and interrupted to
comment on 1t.
"Let me get this straight, Miss Prem
tiss," he observed, frowning. "You say
that Miss Dumont was originally
brunette, just like you are?"
Eyes, the last time l saw her." the
show-girl replied. "You can see that
in her photos in the casts of shows she
played in some time ago. But as
said, she bleached her hair and had
to wear a wig to match"
"And you posed as Miss Du Monte
at the Fenton," the detective inquired,
"for fully a month";"
"a bit longer; all Of February and
the first week Of this month. Until
Laura sent me a letter, directing me
to arrange for my passage to New
York on the Florida last Sunday. The
only other thing did before that was
to mail from the Fenton on March
fifth a letter she mailed out to me,
with an inner envelope addressed to
Mr.. Stuart Jordan in Philadelphia"
That was the last communication,
Rankin reflected, the student received
from his wife. presumably from st.
Louis.
do you still have your instruc-
tions?' he asked. "I'll want to see
them"
The girl shook her head. mo, de-
stroyed them after memorizing them.
That was a part of her orders"
"Well, let's have the rest of your
story-after you checked out of the
hotel"
The directions In question, Myra
Prentiss proceeded, arrived on Thurs
day, March fourth, allowing her ample
time to be on the boat Sunday. Dur
ing the voyage, as the detective al
ready knew. she was to feign seasick-
ness to escape observation. Unfortun-
ately, however, she actually became
i'll; it was this neglected and trivial
possibility, Rankin realized, which en-
gendered the carelessness that dis
closed the entire fraud. After the
Florida locked at noon on Friday, the
girl went to Philadelphia directly,
where she met Laura Jordan at four
o'clock. In two hours, in the woman's
room of the Pennsylvania terminal, the
actress secured all the details and evil
dences of the trip; at seven o'clock,
she left to appear at headquarters.
She had not, however, taken Myra's
ha~ "A thA fcaf nf Ehn cOhnvoea
she had purchased duplicate sets of
suitcases, one for the show-girl and
her own set she brought with her
weeks before.
Myra Prentiss returned Immediately
to st. Louis because Of an attachment
she formed there of her own, during
her stay. Ordinarily, she might have
remained in New York and sought an
other engagement but this new friend
had clearly indicated his devotion and
interest in her. Except inasmuch as
1t had lightened his problem of tracing
her. Rankin did not long concern him
self with this purely personal matter
But his interest In Doctor Prince
was intense. Thus far. all he knew of
him was that, as a student at Haw-
thorne university In Fort Wayne he
belonged to the Omicron chapter of
Mu Beta Sigma. And, as a loyal
alumnus, he notified the Philadelphia
chapter of Jordan's matriculation, rec
ommending him. Mr.. Merrick, in his
single business meeting with the physi-
clan, had divulged Stuart's presence at
the eastern university, when they dis
cussed schools during their CONVERSE
ton. Apparently. Arnold Prince had
had no other connection with the boy.
Now, however, It was obvious that he
must have known all about him before
that through the actress. His practice
and residence, the detective recalled,
were in st. Louis.
"Now about Doctor Prince, Miss
Prentiss," he said, when the girl fin
ished her narrative. !"What else did
Laura Du Monte tell you? Where does
he live, for instance?
II suppose right here in st. Louis"
Myra replied, because she spoke of
leaving with him from here. But /
don't know the address. She was very
cautious about letting fall anything