Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1933-07-23
CHAPTER xxx.
A CHANGED LOVSCHIEM.

~ UT, good LORD SAID, can I
~ - the man open his own safe
without directions? And
IL even so, would he have only
one copy of the combina-
ton? That's just silly. He surely
didn't expect you to believe it,"
"Yes," she. said reluctantly. I think
he did. You see, it really Is new
safe. I know that, because I've been
here, you see, and remember when
it came And it actually is a little
difficult to open, and I've seen MIN
obliged to follow the directions and
perhaps try two or three times before
he could get it OPEN"
It seemed, somehow, a maladroitness
inconsistent with what I should have
expected of Lovschiem.
Here's the doctor" Sue went on abb
ruptly. You'd better let him look at
your shoulder"
The wound was doing very well, the
doctor indicated some 20 minutes later
in my own room. I walked back
through the corridors and to the door
of the lobby with him, and We parted
most amicably having held an earnest
conversation for half an hour, during
which neither, I was convinced, I'M
derstood one word that the other
spoke.
Lovschiem was at the desk. He
bowed greasiiy to the departing doctor
and then to me, inquiring how my
shoulder was doing.
Better" I said shortly to Lovschiem.
by the way, Lovschiem, where does
this priest come FROM"
The priest?" repeated Lovschiem
doubtfully. His little eyes were specu-
lative. The dirty jewels on his fat, dark
hands winked maliciously at me.
A distinct change had come over
Lovschiem during the last two days.
He was frightened. glistened uncom-
fortably, and looked as if he had
truly not slept; but there was some
thing more than fright and WEAKNESS
in his face and hurried, fumbling
speech. Had I not felt as I did toward
Lovschiem I should have called it a
queer sort of perplexity.
Mimi" he said slowly. Paris. I
believe. Yes. Paris. He's come here
for his health. you know
How long has he been here?"
Three weeks, perhaps. I have 1t
all here. Why do you ask?"
I did not reply. I was looking at
the bright pamphlet which came into
sight as he moved the register. He
followed my gaze and with a sudden
movement pulled the register again
toward him. SO that it covered the
printed booklet again completely.
See here" he said with unctuous
amiability. Il will show you the date
he arrived, almost three weeks to the
day."
I was conscious of his eyes following
me and I was wondering not why
railroad timetable was there on the
desk of a hotel lobby, but why he had
covered it SO quickly.
"Ah, good morning. Mr. Sunbeam"
doomed voice SO StartIngly near me
that I all but leaped skyward. 1t was
Mrs. Byng. of course. or, rather, a bun
die of shaWls and> fringes from which
Mrs. Byng's nose and voice, each equal
ly belligerent, emerged.
And how'S the shoulder" she
shouted. Come over here and sit
down"
At commanding gesture sat down
in the chair beside her. She looked,
rather blared, at Sue Tally, who stood
chatting with the doctor not far away.
Nice girl" she went on without
perceptible pause. Pretty. Who's she
talking to, the doctor? Yes, I see, it's
him. Pretty girl-pretty girl" She
paused, Snorted. leaned nearer me and
said in what passed with her for a
whisper: Pretty. but queer
"Queer?" I repeated looking from
the formidable nose to Sue, standing
over near the gate, and back again.
"Queer?"
Queer You know the night that
poor man was murdered? Well what
was she doing turning out the lights?"
But she didn't" I said
The woman snorted again.
Didn't, h'mm?" she said scornfully
Il saw her do it with my own eyes"
I don't remember that I said any,
thing for moment or two. Then.
conscious that her sharp eyes might
be reading more than chose they
should read in my face. I said:
Isn't there a possibility that you
are mistaken"
Not in the least" she said promptly.
I'll tell you how it was I didn't
tell the police and shan't. for I rather
like the girl. But this is what hap
pened. Do you know where my room
is?"
It's on the second floor, isn't it?"