Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1933-07-10

time for the talk we must
i i have. And, anyway, he had
told me the main fact. al
though his reply was SO unexpected that
1t left me stunned and incredulous.
Poisoned. But the murdered man
had been stabbed. 1 had found him,
and I had seen the ugliness of the
wound. I'd been obliged to wash my
hands of the blood from it.
Mechanically I crossed the court
yard, passed under the swaying Light,
and entered the lobby. Lovschiem was
bending over the desk.
The cockatoo CLICKED and Lovschiem
looked up, and it was curious to see
how his eyes leaped when he saw me
and how flabby his cheeks looked all at
once and how his fat hands moved aim
lessly about the desk. Finally Low
schiem said:'
How did you-get out?" His voice
was husky
walked, Lovschiem. Walked. I'll
have some dinner at once, please"
His fiabby hands moved helplessly,
and the cockatoo. attracted by some
CLINT of jewels, cooked his head know
ingly on one side, made kissing sound
with his tongue. and sided toward the
hand nearer him.
you can have it served In my room, :"
added airily. And see that there's .
good fire"
with that left him, still staring
and flabby, with the cockatoo examining
the ring suspiciously and sticking his
tongue in an experimental fashion.
The corridors were empty and dark
ish and long. But there was q CLEAN
of light below the door labeled 10, and
l paused beside it and hesitated and
finally knocked lightly.
It opened in a moment. and Sue, her
bright hair aureoled against the light
behind her, stood on the threshold.
Its you'll" she cried softly and hap
PLY and stretched out both her hands,
and as took them she said with a little
catch In her voice, "Oh, I'm glad"
"Your Mr.. Lorn managed to get me
out" said. 1T was good Of you to
send him."
"The whole thing was absurd" she
said vigorously. "They had no right to
arrest you like that But he isn't my
Mr.. Lorn. And what did he do?"
1.-THE Mr.. Lorn, then. Whoever he Is.
managed 1t very cleverly. Although I
don't know exactly what happened yet.
See here, isn't there some place where
we can talk? Come downstairs to the
lounge"
She hesitated and after q moment
said, as If she'd come to decision:
II do want to talk to you. There are
things I want to know. Butt think 1t
is as well If we aren't seen together"
She looked confused and embarrassed
I was suddenly aware that I was still
holding her hands rather tightly and
that she was trying to withdraw them.
T
Il didn't mean to say didn't
mean" floundered and finished
abruptly: II don't understand you"
"All this seems silly and purposefully
mysterious. But 1t isn't Intentional. I
you see, I'm in an awfully queer soft
Of affair and can't help myself"
See here" said. "Lorn Is coming
to my room right after dinner. I've Or
dered fire, and it will be warm. Can't
you come there, too?"
THE trouble is" she stopped, and
when she continued her voice was very
sober-"the trouble is. don't like in
yolving you in any-danger."
Her voice rather than her words car
ried conviction.
You don't mean to say you are in
actual danger?"
Il hope not" she said quietly. "But
I'm rather-after that affair Of last
night, I'm rather doubtful I'm being
mysterious again. Yes, I'll come to your
room in an hour"
Good. then. But want to tell
ycu-"
Some one is coming" she said. "You
must CO."
II liked your note" said hurriedly,
and she closed the door, and went on.
At the corner of the passage I glanced
over my shoulder Mrs. Byng was stand
ing in the hall She had one hand out
stretched toward a door leading to a
room not far from Sues, and she was
watching me. I felt an impulse to wave
cheerfully in her direction. but re-
strained 1t and turned the corner.
Marcel brought me dinner and how